Steve Austin's Blog

Kingsford Smith 1928

There were 12,000 people assembled in Marlborough on 28 September. The people of Marlborough were joined by visitors from all over New Zealand. Accommodation places were full to overflowing.

Several weeks earlier at 9.30 a.m., on 11 September 1928, the "Southern Cross" had touched down at Wigram Airfield, near Christchurch. The crossing of the Tasman Sea was regarded as one of the last great challenges. Around 35,000 people were at Wigram to greet the heroes.

The Australian pilots were household names that year. The crew was made up of the former RAF pilot Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm, and the navigator was Harry Litchfield. The New Zealand Government provided the radio operator Tom McWilliams.

In June they had flown across the Pacific on an 11,000 km flight, Oakland - Hawaii - Fiji - Brisbane. In August they successfully completed the first non-stop flight from Melbourne to Perth.

The "Southern Cross" was a Dutch designed, and constructed, Fokker FVIIb 3m. It had been built in 1925, and had been originally purchased for an Arctic expedition by an Australian explorer.

It was reported that all of Marlborough was planning to be at "Fairhall's wonderful field", waiting for the arrival of the Southern Cross and her crew.

Preparations in Marlborough had been going on for more than a week. Unevenness on the landing field was corrected by filling, and steam rolling. It was enclosed by wooden fences, giving the impression of a race course. A massive temporary hanger was built (this photo was taken from the top of it), as well as numerous stalls, booths and tents for sellers of refreshments.

A small speak appeared in the south over the Wither Hills. "There she is!", were the words which were roared by the crowd in an exuberant crescendo.

That evening crowds thronged to the brilliantly lit up aerodrome, for an up close view of the "Southern Cross".

That evening Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his party were the guests of an informal concert held for them at the Masonic Hall by the Marlborough Officers' Association, Marlborough Aero Club, and R.S.A. The "no speeches" rule was apparently strictly enforced throughout the informal evening.

Kingsford Smith presented several songs on the ukulele, with Flight-Lieut. Ulm, while the famous pair also sang a memorable duet.

The "Southern Cross" and the crew were in Marlborough for some time before the departure for Australia. This would become the first flight from New Zealand to Australia. About 4,500 people turned out at Woodbourne Farm, for their farewell in the early dawn of 13 October.

The "Southern Cross" returned to New Zealand in January 1933, and again in early 1934.
During the 1933 visit, thousands of New Zealanders experienced to the sensation of flying. On one day in Auckland they had 416 passengers for the day. While only licensed to carry ten passengers, each paying one pound per flight; usually there were 12 or 14!

The aircraft, its crew, and their achievements, created a massive wave of enthusiasm among the general public for aviation, and also the aero-club movement. Today the "Southern Cross" can be seen at Brisbane Airport.

"We flew here to link two countries which have, hitherto, been outposts of the Empire - and little known outposts at that." - Charles Kingsford Smith, 1928

Charles Ulm was lost on a flight that attempted to break a speed record across the Pacific in 1934.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, the dashing and inspirational aviator, who proved to the world that air travel was possible, vanished during a flight from England to Australia in 1935.

For more images regarding Marlborough aviation history visit exhibitions online at www.marlboroughmuseum.org.nz

• NMIT Update June 2010
• Stephen Close's Steam Engine, 1860
• Dr Cleghorn
• Appo Hocton
• Wine Heritage
• Marlborough Independence
• Puhuriwhenua
• Te Rauparaha 1843
• Captain Cook 1770
• Kingsford Smith 1928