Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Kingsford Smith in his flying gear
Full name	Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith
Lived	February 9, 1897 – November 8, 1935
Birth	Hamilton, Queensland
Death	Sea off Burma
Cause of death	Disappeared during flight
Nationality	Australian
Aviation
Known for	First non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland Trans-Pacific flight England to Australia air race
Air Force	Australian Flying Corps Royal Flying Corps
Battles	World War I Gallipoli Campaign Western Front
Rank	Captain (substantive) Air Commodore (honorary)
Awards	Knight Bachelor Military Cross Air Force Cross

Air Commodore Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith MC, AFC (February 9, 1897 - November 8, 1935), often called Charles Kingsford Smith, or by his nickname Smithy, was a well-known early Australian aviator. In 1928, he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States. He also made a flight from Australia to London, and set a new record of 10.5 days. Image File history File links CEKSmith. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Hamilton is an inner northern suburb of Brisbane, Australia, lying on the north bank of the Brisbane River along Bulimba Reach. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Battle of Gallipoli Conflict First World War Date 19 February 1915 - 9 January 1916 Place Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey Result Ottoman victory The Battle of Gallipoli took place on the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli in 1915 during the First World War. ... Combatants Belgium British Empire Australia[1] Canada[2] India[3] Newfoundland[4] New Zealand[5] South Africa[6] United Kingdom France and French Overseas Empire Portugal[7] United States Germany Commanders No unified command until 1918, then Ferdinand Foch Moltke → Falkenhayn → Hindenburg and Ludendorff → Hindenburg and Groener Casualties ~4,800... A Captain in armies, air forces and marine forces, is a rank an army or air force rank with a NATO rank code of OF-2. ... An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ... The dignity of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. ... The Military Cross (MC) is the third level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries. ... The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. The... An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ... The Military Cross (MC) is the third level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries. ... The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. The... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... Pacific redirects here. ...

Early life

Kingsford Smith was born in Hamilton (a suburb of Brisbane), Queensland, Australia, and was one of seven children. From 1903 to 1907, he and his family lived in Vancouver, Canada. Hamilton is an inner northern suburb of Brisbane, Australia, lying on the north bank of the Brisbane River along Bulimba Reach. ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd...

On 2 January 1907 young Charlie Smith was rescued from certain drowning at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach by bathers who, just seven weeks later, were responsible for founding the world’s first official surf life saving group at Bondi Beach on 21 February 1907, at a meeting held at the Royal Hotel Bondi Beach. ^[1] is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Bondi Beach (pronounced BOND-eye with a long i, or /bÉ’ndaɪ/) is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, Australia. ... Surf lifesaving is a multifaceted movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary lifeguard services and competitive surf sport. ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Surf lifesaving is a multifaceted movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary lifeguard services and competitive surf sport. ...

Upon returning to Australia, he attended St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney where he was a treble chorister in the cathedral choir. He then studied electrical engineering at Sydney Technical College (now known as Sydney Technical High School). The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... A choir or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. ... For other uses, see Cathedral (disambiguation). ... Sydney Technical High School is an academically selective school for boys located in the suburb of Bexley in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ...

World War I and early flying experience

At 16 he became an engineering apprentice with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. After that, he enlisted for duty in the armed services in 1915 and served at Gallipoli. Initially, he performed duty as a motorcycle despatch rider, before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, earning his wings in 1917. CSR Limited (ASX: CSR) is a major Australian industrial company, producing aluminium, sugar products (notably including pure ethanol), and construction products. ... For other uses, see Gallipoli (disambiguation). ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ...

Kingsford Smith was hospitalized in August 1917 after being shot down and receiving injuries which required a large part of his left foot to be amputated. For his gallantry in battle, he was awarded the Military Cross. As his recovery was predicted to be lengthy, Kingsford Smith was permitted to take leave in Australia where he visited his parents. Returning to England, Kingsford Smith was assigned to instructor duties and promoted to captain. Partial hand amputation Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. ... The Military Cross (MC) is the third level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries. ... A Captain in armies, air forces and marine forces, is a rank an army or air force rank with a NATO rank code of OF-2. ...

After the war, Kingsford Smith worked as a barnstormer in the United States before returning to Australia in 1921.^[2] He did the same in Australia and also flew airmail services, and began to plan his record-breaking flight across the Pacific. ^[3] He became one of Australia's first airline pilots when he was chosen by Norman Brearley to fly for the newly formed West Australian Airways. Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, often in groups as a flying circus. ... Sir Norman Brearley was a commercial and military pilot and one of the pioneers of the airline industry within Australia. ... West Australian Airways was an Australian airline based out of Geraldton, Western Australia. ...

1928 - Trans-Pacific flight

The Southern Cross at a RAAF base near Canberra in 1943.

Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm arrived in the United States and began to search for an aircraft. From the famed Australian polar explorer, Sir Hubert Wilkins, they purchased and equipped a Fokker F.VII/3m monoplane, which they named the Southern Cross.^[4] Image File history File links Southern_cross. ... Image File history File links Southern_cross. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... Charles Ulm in 1934, in front of his Avro X VH-UXX Faith in Australia. The text on the side of the aircraft lists all the long-distance flights it has made. ... For the seventeenth century English dramatist and pamphleteer George Hubert Wilkins, see George Wilkins. ... The Fokker F.VII was a small airliner originally produced by Anthony Fokkers Atlantic Aircraft Company, and later by other companies under licence. ... The Southern Cross at an RAAF base near Canberra in 1943. ...

At 8:54 am on May 31, 1928, ^[4] Kingsford Smith and his crew left Oakland, California to make the first trans-Pacific flight to Australia. The flight was in three stages. The first (from Oakland to Hawaii) was perhaps the toughest part of the journey as they flew through a massive storm. They then flew to Suva, Fiji, and on to Brisbane, where they landed on June 9. On arrival, Kingsford Smith was met by a huge crowd of 25,000 at Eagle Farm Airport, and was feted as a hero ^[5][6][7]. Australian aviator Charles Ulm was the relief pilot, and the other two crew members were Americans James Warner and Captain Harry Lyon (who were the radio operator, navigator and engineer). is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Oakland redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Suva is the capital city of Fiji. ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... is the 160th day of the year (161st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BNE redirects here. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... Charles Ulm in 1934, in front of his Avro X VH-UXX Faith in Australia. The text on the side of the aircraft lists all the long-distance flights it has made. ... For other uses, see Radio (disambiguation). ... For the web browser of the same name, see Netscape Navigator A navigator is the person onboard a ship responsible for the navigation of the vessel. ... Look up engineer in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Australian National Airways

Main article: Australian National Airways (1930)

Australian National Airways was a short-lived Australian airline, founded in 1930 by Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. ...

Later Flights

In 1930, he competed in an England to Australia air race, and, flying solo, won the event. Air racing is a sport that involves small airplanes and is practiced around the world each year. ...

In 1931 he purchased an Avro Avian he named the Southern Cross Minor, to attempt an Australia to England flight. He later sold the aircraft to Captain W.N. "Bill" Lancaster who vanished April 11, 1933 over the Sahara Desert; Lancaster's remains were not found until 1962. The wreck of the Southern Cross Minor is now in the Queensland Museum ^[8]. Also in 1931, Smith began developing the Southern Cross automobile as a side project. Avro 504K. Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, well known for planes such as the Avro Lancaster which served in World War II. One of the worlds first aircraft builders, A.V.Roe and Company was established at Brownsfield Mills, Manchester, England by Alliot Verdon Roe and his brother... The Avro Avian was a series of British light aircraft designed and built by Avro in the 1920s and 30s. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sahara is the worlds second largest desert (second to Antarctica), over 9,000,000 km² (3,500,000 mi²), located in northern Africa and is 2. ... Queensland Museum — 1862–1869 The Windmill in Wickham Terrace ( Queensland Museums first home ) Queensland Museum — 1879–1899 cnr. ... The Southern Cross was an Australian automobile manufactured between 1931 and 1935. ... Car redirects here. ...

In 1933 Seven Mile Beach was used by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith as the runway for the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. Seven Mile Beach (Grand Cayman) Seven Mile Beach (Kiama) This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ...

Disappearance

Early November 1935 was during another epic flight that Kingsford Smith met his end. Once again flying from England to Australia, he and his co-pilot Tommy Pethybridge departed Allahabad, India for a leg to Singapore, flying in Lockheed Altair Lady Southern Cross. The aircraft did not arrive at its destination. It was eighteen months later when wreckage from the aircraft was located off the south coast of Burma where in May, 1937, fishermen found its starboard undercarriage leg on the shore of an island south-east of Rangoon. The remains of the crew have never been located. This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The Lockheed Altair was a development of the Lockheed Sirius. ... The Lady Southern Cross was a Lockheed Altair monoplane owned by Australian pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. ...

Legacy

The major airport of Sydney, located in the suburb of Mascot was named Kingsford Smith International Airport in his honour. A federal electorate, for the parliament of Australia, which encompasses the airport is called Kingsford Smith. A suburb of Sydney is named Kingsford. This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Mascot, New South Wales, Australia is a suburb of Sydney. ... Sydney Airport redirects here. ... The Division of Kingsford Smith is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... Kingsford is a suburb in Sydney, Australia located about 7km south of the central business district, falling under the authority of Randwick council. ...

His aircraft, the Southern Cross, is now preserved and displayed in a purpose-built memorial at the International Terminal at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith Drive in Brisbane passes through the suburb of his birth, Hamilton, with Kingsford Smith Drive in the suburb of Belconnen, Canberra also bearing his name. The Southern Cross at an RAAF base near Canberra in 1943. ... BNE redirects here. ... Hamilton is an inner northern suburb of Brisbane, Australia, lying on the north bank of the Brisbane River along Bulimba Reach. ... Kingsford Smith Drive, is a main road in the district of Belconnen in Canberra, Australia and is named in honour of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith It is a dual carriageway road which runs from the intersection at Drake Brockman Drive until the T-intersection at Karinga Drive. ... Location of Belconnen For the Canberra suburb of Belconnen see: Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory Belconnen is a district of Canberra, the Capital city of Australia, comprising 25 suburbs with 29,900 dwellings housing 82,247 people of the 311,518 people in the Australian Capital Territory (June 2001 Census). ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

He was also pictured on the Australian $20 paper note (in circulation from 1966 until 1994, when the $20 polymer note was introduced to replace it) to honour his contribution to aviation and his accomplishments during his life. The first Guardian polymer banknote in circulation. ...

He was also depicted on the Australian one-dollar coin of 1997: marking the centenary of his birth.

Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for services to aviation and later was appointed honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Australian Air Force. A statue of an armoured knight of the Middle Ages For the chess piece, see knight (chess). ... An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...

Albert Park in Suva, where he landed on the trans-Pacific flight, now contains the Kingsford Smith Pavilion. Suva is the capital city of Fiji. ...

He was a Freemason ^[9]. American Square & Compasses Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organization. ...

Film and television tributes to Charles Kingsford Smith

• The 1946 Australian film "Smithy", with Ron Randell as Charles Kingsford Smith and John Tate as Charles Ulm. [1]

• The 1985 Australian television mini-series "A Thousand Skies", with John Walton as Charles Kingsford Smith and Andrew Clarke as Charles Ulm. [2]

Smithy is a 1946 film about pioneering Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his legendary flight across the Pacific Ocean, from San Francisco, California, United States to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia during 1928. ... Ron Randell was an Australian-born American film character actor. ... Charles Ulm in 1934, in front of his Avro X VH-UXX Faith in Australia. The text on the side of the aircraft lists all the long-distance flights it has made. ... John Walton is an Australian actor. ... Andrew Clarke in Banjo Patersons The Man From Snowy River (Snowy River: The McGregor Saga) as Matt McGregor (The Man) American (video tape cover) Andrew Clarke in Banjo Patersons The Man From Snowy River (Snowy River: The McGregor Saga) as Matt McGregor (The Man) Australian (DVD cover) Andrew... Charles Ulm in 1934, in front of his Avro X VH-UXX Faith in Australia. The text on the side of the aircraft lists all the long-distance flights it has made. ...

References

• Serle, Percival (1949). "Smith, Charles Edward Kingsford". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. 

The Dictionary of Australian Biography, first published in 1949, is a reference work by Percival Serle containing information on notable people associated with Australian history. ...

External links

• The Pioneers - Charles Kingsford Smith
• Charles Kingsford Smith biography Ace Pilots
• Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Australian Heroes
• Charles Kingsford Smith about the Tasman flight
• Charles Kingsford Smith (includes photos of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his aeroplane, the Southern Cross)
• Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Sound Recordings and Newsreels
• Austin Byrne and the Kingsford Smith Southern Cross Memoria Memorial
• Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at the National Film and Sound Archive