SC35e RAF Thorney Island Signed Sir Francis Chichester. 13 A...

Estimate

£14 - £18

SC35e RAF Thorney Island Signed Sir Francis Chichester. 13 Au 71 Sydney RAF Thorney island. 50th Anniversary of the Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force RAF Thorney Island. Flown from Sydney to Rose Bay Flying Boat Base Sydney on 19th August 1971 in Sandringham VH - BRF Islander Commanded by Captain Keith Mansfield flt time 3hrs 3 mins. Red flight cachet on the back. Lord Howe Island, 16th August 1971 in Sandringham VH-BRF of Ansett Flying Boat Service. This aircraft was converted from a RNZAF Sunderland MkV ( NZ 4108) in 1964, Commanded by Captain Lloyd Maundrell. Flight time 2hrs 45 mins. Personally Signed by Sir Francis Chichester and signed by the aircraft pilot Captain Keith Mansfield. Sir Francis Charles Chichester KBE (17 September 1901 - 26 August 1972), aviator and sailor, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for becoming the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route, and the fastest circumnavigator, in nine months and one day overall. In 1929, he took flying lessons at Brooklands, Surrey, and became a qualified pilot. He then took delivery of a de Havilland Gipsy Moth aircraft, which he intended to fly to New Zealand, hoping to break Bert Hinkler's record solo flight back to Australia en route. Mechanical problems meant the record eluded him; however, he completed the trip in 41 days. The aircraft was then shipped to New Zealand. Finding that he was unable to carry enough fuel to cross the Tasman Sea directly, he had his Gipsy Moth fitted with floats, borrowed from the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, and went on to make the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from East to West (New Zealand - Australia. ) He was the first aviator to land an aircraft at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Again, the trip was delayed: after his aircraft was severely damaged at Lord Howe, he had to rebuild it himself with the help of islanders. 400 covers issued. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99