Charles Edward Kingsford-Smith.
Aviator
1897 -1935
Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9th/2nd/1897.
In 1913 he graduated from Sydney Technical College as an Electrical Engineer.
In 1915 he enrolled in the Australian forces & served in WWI. During the war he was shot in the foot and later had three toes amputated.
He entered the Royal Flying Corps and received his wings in 1917, serving in France as a fighter pilot.
After achieving 6 aerial victories he received his military cross for bravery in action.
Charles Kingsford Smith made the first non-stop flight across the Australian Continent in 1928 and the first flight across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.
In 1929, he accomplished a round-the-world flight.
His flew 16 000 kilometers single handedly and won the England to Australia air race in 1930. Two weeks later he married Mary Powell and they were expecting a son, Charles.
In 1933, after once again breaking the record for solo flight from England to Australia, he was announced as the world’s greatest airman.
In 1934, he made the first ever west to east voyage of the Pacific.
On the 8th of November 1935 he was set to fly from England to Australia but the plain disappeared.
Since he was so famous he was put on a $20 note.
Bibliography!!
Online:
http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/ksmith.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/australians/cksmith.htm
http://www.paleorama.com/Eponyms-C/Charles_Kingsford_Smith.php
http://www.ryebuck.com.au/anzac_staging/smithy/page_00.asp?ints=6#bottom
Project by Hayley Lincoln