|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
INDEX
|
|||||
1935
Smithy flew the Southern Cross for the last time on 18 July
1935 when he delivered the aeroplane to RAAF Richmond where it was
handed over with due ceremony to Archdale Parkhill, Minister of Defence.
As described so eloquently by aviation historian Ted Wixted; "From
that moment it became the property, and the obligation, of the Australian
nation."
|
This photograph from the Powerhouse Museum Crome Collection was taken at Richmond on 18 July 1935 as the Southern Cross was being handed over to the Commonwealth Government. The Southern Cross is positioned opposite the saw-tooth roofed Hangar 3. In the best Ernie Crome tradition, the photograph bears the signatures of many notable people who participated in the ceremony. Conspicuous by its absence is the signature of Smithy himself. This is easily explained by Smithy's departure for New Zealand and Hawaii on the RMMS Aorangi later that same day. Clearly there would not have been sufficient time to develop film and prepare a print for his signature. Mary did not accompany Smithy on this voyage and poignantly, fate would determine that Smithy would never return to Australia. The signatures are: Beau Sheil
(Smithy's Business Manager) The photo
was taken by a Sydney Morning Herald staff photographer
from an aircraft (probably a DH60) flown by Harold Durant who
was chief pilot for the newspaper and a director of Kingsford
Smith Aviation Service. The Rev. Colin Graham Scrimgeour, radio
evangelist and Auckland Aero Club executive member, was apparently
in the right place at the right time for a seat on the Southern
Cross handover flight. |
That the Southern Cross survives at all is nothing short of
miraculuous given what the aeroplane endured in ten years of crossing
oceans and circling the globe. That it does survive is in no small
measure due to the skill of her pilot who is generally regarded as
one of the greatest 'stick and rudder' pilots of all time. Without
that special empathy between man and machine there is little doubt
that the aeroplane would not have survived the aborted trans-Tasman
Jubilee mail flight of 1935. Probably no other pilot could have saved
the aeroplane and her three occupants on that night.
Smithy is usually portrayed as a knockabout larrikin type so it may
surprise many that he had a softer side. Indeed, the retirement of
his beloved aeroplane moved the great man to poetry.
| Old faithful friend
- a long adieu! These are poor words with which to tell Of all my pride, my joy in you. True to the end, you've served me well. I pity those who cannot see That heart and soul are housed within This thing of steel and wood - to me You live in every bolt and pin. And so, my staunch and steadfast steed, Your deep and mighty voice must cease. Faithful to death. If God will heed My prayer, dear pal, you'll rest in peace. |
| On 18th July
1935, the day of Smithy's last flight in the Southern Cross,
an article
appeared in Sydney's The Sun under the headline Smithy
Bids Adieu. The article was "Specially written for The
Sun by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith." Smithy concluded the article with a wish that he could put his own "Plaque of Memory" in the Southern Cross. Sadly, Smithy departed Australia later that same day, never to return and with his last wish unfulfilled. Of all the times Mary said goodbye to Smithy, this occasion must have been particularly tough. She knew Pethybridge and Boulton were waiting for him in the US but after that - the great unknown. She must have surely wished that this would be the last time she held a streamer on the wharf or watched him don the coat and goggles and fly away. |
Read
Smithy's article in The Sun
After
89 years, Smithy finally got his Plaque of Memory.
|
This flown
cover was carried on Smithy's last flight in the Southern Cross
on 18 July 1935. The signatures are Charles Kingsford Smith, P.G.
Taylor, Beau Sheil, C.G. Scrimgeour, Mary Kingsford Smith, John
Stannage and John Ulm. Colin Graham Scrimgeour was a friend of
Smithy who had flown the Southern Cross and at the time
was a radio announcer on Sydney's 2UE. John Ulm was the late Charles
Ulm's fourteen year-old son. Source:
Phil Vabre Collection |
Smithy had agreed to sell the aircraft to the Australian government
for £3,000 but payment had not been forthcoming when Smithy sailed
for New Zealand later the same day for discussions with the N.Z. government
concerning the establishment of a trans-Tasman airline. Again in the
words of Ted Wixted; "The trifling matter of payment for the
aircraft had yet to be attended to. Unfortunately this became a squalid
matter and reached finality only after Smithy was dead." (A cheque
for £3,000 was handed to Lady Kingsford Smith on 24 December
1935.)
After attending to business in New Zealand, Smithy sailed for California
to collect the Lockheed Altair Lady Southern Cross with which
he intended to undertake a record flight from England to Australia.
Smithy flew the Altair from Burbank via Chicago to New York from where
the aircraft was shipped to England. By this time Smithy's health
had deteriorated significantly and he was strongly encouraged by family
and friends to abandon the record attempt and sail home to Australia.
Had the payment for the Southern Cross been forthcoming, Smithy
may have been able to do this and indeed he asked the Australian government
to expedite payment for this purpose but it was not forthcoming. Consequently,
Smithy decided to fly home in the Altair accompanied by engineer and
pilot Tommy Pethybridge. Sadly, history records that they never made
it home to Australia. The Altair is believed to have crashed in the
vicinity of Aye Island in the Bay of Bengal claiming the lives of
Smithy and Tommy Pethybridge.
1937
The RAAF unit at Richmond that was responsible for the Southern
Cross was No. 2 Aircraft Depot. Their Operations Record Book records
that VH-USU was issued to No. 4 Squadron for maintenance and storage
on 25 May 1937. No. 4 Squadron was a fighter unit equipped with Hawker
Demons and also located at Richmond so it is presumed that this unit
had hangar space available.
1939
The Southern Cross languished in storage at RAAF Richmond until
17 February 1939 when, no doubt due to "the crisis in Europe",
the aircraft was moved by road from Richmond to Sydney Kingsford Smith
Airport at Mascot where custody of the aeroplane was handed over to
the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for storage in the Butler Air
Transport hangar. On the same day, the Brisbane Telegraph reported
that the Kingsford Smith Memorial Committee would be issuing 5,000
circulars requesting donations to a fund to honour Smithy with the
creation of a memorial library at Archerfield and "if possible
a statue". At this stage there was no mention of incorporating
the Southern Cross into such a memorial. On 20 February, it
was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that the aircraft
had been transported to Mascot on RAAF trucks to be stored until it
could be displayed in the new administration building planned for
Kingsford Smith Airport. It was reported that while the aircraft was
capable of being flown to Mascot, this was not done to honour an agreement
with Smithy that it would not be flown again. On 22 May, the Sydney
Morning Herald reported that Empire Air Day had been celebrated
with an air display at Mascot on 20 May and that the Southern Cross
had been an attraction.
1941
The war dictated another move on 10 July 1941 when the aircraft was
handed over by the DCA to No. 2 Aircraft Depot (RAAF Richmond) for
the purpose of road transportation from Mascot to Canberra "to
be reassembled in a rigged condition in the Civic Administration hangar
at Fairbairn for the duration of the war." The only stipulated
maintenance requirements were that the exterior of the aeroplane be
kept clean and washed with soap and water if necessary and that the
airscrews be turned once weekly. This move does not feature in the
2AD Operations Record Book but the DCA file contains a handwritten
note by a 2AD Flight Sergeant (name illegible) accepting the aircraft
from DCA on 10 July.
On 9 July, the Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser reported that;
"Following the official announcement that the late Sir Charles
Kingsford Smith's famous aeroplane, Southern Cross, is to be placed
in the National War Memorial Museum at Canberra, a start has been
made to dismantle the machine." The Goulburn Evening Post
of Friday 11 July reported that; "Much interest was created by
the arrival in Goulburn this morning of the fuselage and engine of
the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's famous monoplane Southern Cross.
A Commonwealth truck carrying the famous plane stopped at the Post
Office en route to Canberra and it was not long before a curious crowd
had gathered. The wing and other parts of the machine passed through
Goulburn last Tuesday morning on their way to Canberra where the historic
plane will be re-assembled and given a permanent resting place in
the new Australian War Museum."
1944
The aircraft was next inspected in detail on 30 May 1944 by which
time the wing and engines had been removed. On 5 July, a Squadron
Leader Chaseling of RAAF HQ Eastern Area wrote to DCA Mascot requesting
that the Southern Cross be made available for use in a "War
Film featuring the life of the Late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith".
A response from the Director-General in Melbourne one week later peremptorily
suggested that the Squadron Leader apply through channels via the
Department of Air!
On 24 November, a handwritten note in the DCA file appears to state
that; "Chaseling rang. Acceptance of welded dummy generator filled.
Good job." To this day the aircraft is fitted with two dummy
wind-driven generators.
|
Engines For the
Pacific flight in 1928, the aircraft was fitted with three new
Wright Whirlwind J.5.A engines with the consecutive serial numbers
7416, 7417 and 7418.
In 1944, the engines were overhauled by Ansett Airways at Essendon on the dates shown in the table above. Subsequent to 21 May 1945, the outer engines were swapped over. It is uncertain when and where the swap took place and indeed, during the road trip to Brisbane, the outer engines were removed and replaced multiple times. From the time the aircraft was placed on display, the port engine is s/n 7416 and the starboard engine is s/n 7418. It is noteworthy that the two outer engines were fitted to the aeroplane when it flew the Pacific in 1928. The data plates for all three engines are shown below.
(Pictures
by Mick Raftery) Propellers When the
aircraft was received for storage by 2AD on 7 July 1941, a list
of components shows only one three-bladed propeller, serial
number 1645. There is no mention of the two wooden propellers.
When the aircraft was inspected at Canberra on 30 May 1944,
there were two wooden two-bladed propellers said to have been
manufactured by Cockatoo Dockyard (Note: 1) and one Hamilton
Standard three-bladed, variable pitch propeller. On 26 January
1945, during the overhaul for the film, the two wooden propellers
were overhauled as follows: Note:
1 |
1945
Details of the proposed film became clearer on 28 February 1945 when
the famed cinematographer Ken G. Hall of Cinesound Productions wrote
to the Director-General of Civil Aviation on behalf of Columbia Pictures
indicating that approximately 20-30 hours of flying would be required
in addition to static shots at various aerodromes. As a reminder that
the nation was still at war, Cinesound forewarned that a possible
impediment to the commencement of filming was the non-arrival of film
stocks which had been on order for six months!
On 5 April, the Department of Air advised the DGCA that one of Smithy's
contemporaries, Wing Commander Harry Purvis AFC, would be available
to test fly the Southern Cross. On 18 May, it was reported
in several newspapers that Wing Commander Jack Kingsford Smith (Smithy's
nephew) planned to arrive in Canberra on 21 May with the intention
of flying the Southern Cross, but on 21 May it was Harry Purvis
who flew the aeroplane at Duntroon, Canberra and certified it as airworthy.
The Sydney Morning Herald of 22 May 1945 listed the crew as
Wing Commander G.H. Purvis (pilot), Wing Commander John Kingsford-Smith
(who hyphenates his name and who had worked for Cinesound prewar.
Ed.) as co-pilot, Warrant Officer M.J.W. Burt (engineer) and Mr. H.
Affleck (DCA). A Certificate of Airworthiness was issued valid to
20 August 1945 with provision for further extensions if required.
The next day, 22 May, Harry Purvis flew the aircraft to Mascot where
airport workers were reported to have stopped work to cheer the aeroplane
on arrival. Present at Mascot was Smithy's brother Leofric who was
overcome with emotion stating; "Smithy never intended that she
should be flown again, but I know that he would be happy that she
is being used for this historic film."
|
The
Southern Cross photographed at a soggy Mascot during
filming in 1945.
(Picture: Mick Raftery Collection) |
On Tuesday 29 May, Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported that Wing Commander Jack Kingsford Smith was flying an RAAF Avro Anson as the camera aircraft for flying sequences in the film. It was stated that the Anson was the only modern aircraft roomy enough for the cameraman while being slow enough to fly beside the Southern Cross. Even so, it was necessary for the Anson to fly with flaps and undercarriage down to reduce speed. Most sequences were being filmed over the sea but the Southern Cross would fly over the city at one o'clock on Thursday.
|
Further
Reading on the Movie
|
|
| Read about the making of the movie. View stills from the set and read the Souvenir Programme. |
|
| Read Harry Purvis' recollections of flying the Southern Cross |
|
| Read John Kingsford-Smith's account of flying in the movie. |
|
|
The RAAF "Status Card" With RAAF involvement in an operational aeroplane, it was deemed necessary to raise an RAAF Record Card (Form E/E.88) for the Southern Cross VH-USU. The card opened on 31 May 1945 when the aircraft was allotted from Station Head Quarters RAAF Canberra to No. 3 Communications Unit (3CU) at Mascot for filming duties. The next entry is 22 June when it is recorded that "Aircraft departed from Mascot for Richmond before notification of allotment received." This implies a subsequent allotment from Mascot to Richmond which is not recorded but in all probability the aeroplane flew between the two airfields on multiple occasions during filming. There are no further entries until 9 January 1946 when it is stated that the aircraft was no longer required by Cinesound and that "instructions have been given for a/c to be returned to your Department and handed over to representative at Mascot." This clearly refers to the aircraft's return to the Department of Civil Aviation. An entry on the same date shows the aircraft "allotted Mascot ex Canberra". On 12 February 1946, the aircraft was "issued Civil Aviation Mascot." The final of only six entries on the card is 19 February 1946 which shows; "Hrs flown whilst on loan to RAAF 36 hours 35 minutes."
|
The Sydney Morning Herald of 1 June reported that the Southern
Cross had flown over Sydney for one hour from 1pm on 31 May piloted
by Harry Purvis and Jack Kingsford Smith. It was noted that the aircraft
flew low enough for observers in Hyde Park to be able to read the
name on the aircraft.
On 6 June, The Herald (Melbourne) published a correction to
its earlier report that the engines of the Southern Cross had
been overhauled by the RAAF. The newspaper had been advised by "Mr.
W.S. Roberts, president of the shop committee of the engine overhaul
department of Ansett Airways at Essendon" that their organisation
had overhauled and tested the engines and that the RAAF had merely
installed them in the aircraft.
On 22 June, Cinesound wrote to DCA at Mascot requesting permission
to use various areas of Mascot for filming which was expected to commence
within the next two weeks. In his letter, Ken G. Hall indicated a
desire to film "in a portion of the unused section of the drome
abutting on to the swamp at the northern end." It was proposed
to use this area to represent the "Coffee Royal" sequence
of the film. Cinesound later advised DCA that it was possible that
Harry Purvis might not be available for all of the filming, leading
to a discussion of alternative pilots, Wing Commander John Kingsford
Smith and DAP test pilot Mr. T. R. Young. Subsequently it emerged
that Harry Purvis would be available after all so further discussion
was unnecessary. In the interim it had been established that Mr Young's
experience was on the Avro X equivalent type and Wing Commander Kingsford
Smith had only 2 hours 30 minutes experience on the Southern Cross.
Helpfully, DCA advised Cinesound that it "was understood that
P.G. Taylor is in Australia." DCA subsequently approved P.G.
Taylor as the alternate pilot subject to a medical for renewal of
his licence which was formalised on 3 July.
Ken Hall of Cinesound wrote to DCA at Mascot on 13 July to advise
that filming at Mascot was scheduled to take place from 5 August to
4 October subject to weather. By the end of July, a DCA memo records
that the Southern Cross had flown for only eight hours since
the CofA was issued and that P.G. Taylor had test flown the aircraft.
It also emerged that Cinesound had engaged P.G. Taylor for the remainder
of the flying estimated to be thirty hours. The Sydney Morning
Herald of 20 July reported that Captain P.G. Taylor, who was playing
himself in the film, would on this day fly the Southern Cross
for the first time since the Jubilee mail flight of 1935. The Sun
(Sydney) of 2 August 1945 reported that five year-old David Kingsford-Smith
had flown in the Southern Cross with his father Wing Commander
John Kingsford-Smith.
Four days after filming was due to commence, Cinesound advised DCA
that filming would now commence on 12 August. With the CofA due to
expire on 20 August it was renewed until 19 November.
| This still from the movie appears on the cover of a later video release and shows Ron Randell as Smithy and P.G. Taylor playing himself on the wing of a CAC Boomerang representing the Lockheed Altair Lady Southern Cross in which Smithy lost his life. The film was released in the United States on 25 November 1947 under the name Pacific Adventure. |
The filming makes its first appearance in the Operations Record Book of No. 3 Communications Unit at Mascot on 30 May 1945 with the first of a series of photographic flights "in support of the Kingsford Smith film". These flights are listed in the following table. Flights by the Southern Cross itself are not recorded in the ORB although the aircraft does appear "on strength" to 3CU at the end of September and every subsequent month until February 1946 when the ORB ends. However, it should be noted that the pages for June to August are seemingly missing.
|
3CU
FLIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF FILMING SMITHY
|
||||
|
Date
|
Aircraft
|
Pilot
|
Time
Up
|
Time
Down
|
|
30MAY45
|
Dragon A34-50 | F/L Cotterrill |
1400
|
1445
|
|
20AUG45
|
Anson DJ113 | F/O Murrell |
1015
|
1200
|
|
04OCT45
|
Beaufort A9-139 | W/O Henderson |
1105
|
1250
|
|
16OCT45
|
Tiger Moth A17-256 | F/S Donovan |
1445
|
1645
|
|
18OCT45
|
Tiger Moth A17-256 | W/O Charlier |
1130
|
1230
|
|
18OCT45
|
Anson AX576 | W/O Bigg |
1000
|
1200
|
|
19OCT45
|
Anson AX576 | W/O Bigg |
1100
|
1240
|
|
29OCT45
|
Anson AX576 | F/L Murrell |
1145
|
1330
|
|
30OCT45
|
Beaufort A9-499 | F/L Mitchell |
1130
|
1330
|
|
30OCT45
|
Beaufort A9-636 | F/L Mitchell |
1400
|
1545
|
By 1 November, Cinesound had advised DCA that they required a further
ten hours of flying so the validity of the CofA was extended to 19
February 1946 after P.G. Taylor performed a test flight on 18 November.
On 6 December, DCA at Mascot wrote to the DGCA in Melbourne to advise
that Cinesound desired to return the aeroplane "early next week"
and enquiring where was the aircraft to be housed. Despite several
requests, a reply was not forthcoming, leading eventually to a terse
response from the DGCA; "What is reason for your persistent enquiry
this subject." Clearly the custody of this national treasure
had become burdensome and even though loved and revered, everyone
wanted it off their books! On 21 December, the DGCA suggested to DCA
at Mascot that the aeroplane could be housed in the Department of
Aircraft Production (DAP) hangar at Mascot and by implication - unless
they had a better suggestion! The same day, a teleprinter message
advised the DGCA that arrangements had been made to store the aircraft
in the DAP hangar at Mascot and further advising that the RAAF wanted
the aircraft off their charge.
The Kiama Independent of 22 December reported that the Southern
Cross circled over Kiama on Thursday 20 December and had flown
over Seven Mile Beach at Gerringong from where the aeroplane had taken-off
for New Zealand in 1933.
1946
On 31 January 1946, DCA Mascot advised DCA Melbourne that the DAP
was requesting that the aircraft be removed from their hangar "at
the earliest" and further advising that RAAF HQ had instructed
3CU at Mascot to formally hand the aircraft over to DCA. To further
complicate matters, Cinesound had indicated that they may require
the aircraft for further filming in February. On 12 February the aircraft
was formally accepted by DCA from the RAAF although subsequent correspondence
suggests that the aircraft arrived on 22 January.
On 14 February, the DAP advised DCA Melbourne that the Southern
Cross was still stored in "the Butler Hangar No 83".
On 25 February, the CofA was extended for three months to allow for
further filming. On 12 June the DGCA enquired of DCA Mascot if the
aircraft was still being used by Cinesound or if it "had been
returned to the Australian War Museum Canberra." The memo also
drew attention to the fact that the CofA had lapsed on 21 May. A terse
handwritten note at the foot of the memo instructs that the DGCA be
advised "that USU was never in the AWM and is not entitled to
go there." Apparently DCA Mascot were presuming to invoke the
AWM's collecting policy on its behalf! (The DGCA could be forgiven
for believing this in light of the "official announcement"
to this effect in the press back in 1941). A more diplomatic formal
response to the DGCA on 25 June advised that the aircraft was returned
to DCA on 22 January and was still stored in Hangar 83 at Mascot.
The reply further stated; "Should it be decided at a later date
to remove this aircraft to Canberra, it will be necessary to make
other arrangements than the War Museum, as this aircraft was never
at any time housed there. As the aircraft was not connected in any
way with World War 1, it is assumed that it could not be housed in
the Museum as an exhibit of war operations. ... It would be appreciated
if an instruction could be issued regarding steps to be taken to keep
this aircraft in a clean and presentable condition." On 18 July,
the DGCA replied that; "The responsibility for keeping the aircraft
in a clean and presentable condition will be undertaken by the staff
at present being recruited to maintain and service Departmental aircraft."
1947
On 2 January 1947, an internal memo within DCA NSW Region stated that
the aircraft was; "... being maintained in a clean and presentable
condition in Hangar No 2 at Mascot. Inspection for airworthiness has
been completed on the airframe and engines, and all necessary repairs
and adjustments carried out. However the running of the engines has
been deferred, as it would entail the fueling of the aircraft, and
then draining the tanks after run-up. The draining is considered necessary,
both from a safety point of view, and as a precaution against loss
by theft. ... The hangar in which the aircraft is located, is open
at all times, being used by Trans-Australia Airlines for servicing
their aircraft. This means that there is no protection against theft
from the aircraft."
The inevitable happened on 14 January when the Southern Cross
suffered some hangar rash. The Department of Aircraft Production had
engaged the services of Yellow Express Carriers Ltd to move some furniture
from their hangar to Botany. Company driver Mr J. Wilson managed to
drive his empty flat bed lorry, registration number TL 512, under
the port wing of the aircraft to access the furniture. After loading
said furniture he used the same route to leave the hangar, failing
to appreciate that his vehicle was now higher than when it went in!
The load damaged the trailing edge of the port wing and further damage
resulted when the aircraft slewed around causing the tip of the port
elevator to strike a mobile fire extinguisher. Further investigation
of the accident was complicated by the fact that the driver, Mr Wilson,
was now on extended sick leave. The DCA estimated the cost of repairs
at £20/-/-. On 2 May, the DGCA wrote to Yellow Express Carriers
advising; "As soon as the actual cost of repair is known a claim
for the amount involved will be rendered on your Company."
| The location and date of this photo of the Southern Cross is unknown but it is possible that it was taken in the DAP hangar at Mascot where the damage occurred. Certainly the open doorway appears to be inviting an attempt to drive under the port wing! What appear to be mudguards are not part of the undercarriage but are actually sitting on the tyres being solely to protect the tyres from oil drips in the hangar. (Picture: CAHS 919) |
|
The
Southern Cross in storage at Mascot. The DCA Tiger Moth
in the background suggests that the location is the DCA Hangar
(possibly Hangar 13). The date is unknown.
Picture: Alan Yee via John Hopton Collection (p2601-0128) |
|
The
Southern Cross stored inside what is believed to be DCA's
Hangar at Mascot. The date is unknown.
Picture: Alan Yee via John Hopton Collection (p2601-0159) |
|
The
Southern Cross stored inside what is believed to be DCA's
Hangar at Mascot. The date is unknown.
Picture: Alan Yee via John Hopton Collection (p2601-0160) |
On 16 March 1947, the Minister for Air announced in The Sun
(Sydney) newspaper, redevelopment plans for Sydney's Kingsford Smith
Airport at Mascot while acknowledging that "because of shortages
of materials" it might not be operational for three years. "In
the oversea terminal, it is hoped to exhibit the Southern Cross."
On 22 September, Smithy's brother, Wilfrid Kingsford Smith, wrote
to DCA at Mascot on letterhead of the College of Civil Aviation Ltd.,
George Street, Sydney expressing concern over reports that the Royal
Aero Club of NSW intended to fly the Southern Cross in a pageant
at Bankstown to celebrate the Club's 21st anniversary; "I enclose
copy of a letter which I have addressed this day to the Royal Aero
Club setting out personal reasons why my brothers and I think that
the old aircraft should not be flown again." In the letter to
the RACNSW, Wilfrid Kingsford Smith further stated; "The late
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith mentioned to me, some months before he
died, that he would not like his old aircraft to be flown again should
anything happen to him. I also understand that when the Commonwealth
Government purchased the Southern Cross from him that he also publicly
stated that he would not like the 'old bus' to be flown again. I was
approached by the Managing Director of Columbia Pictures, prior to
the preparation of the recent 'Smithy' film to ascertain if the aircraft
could be used in the film. In consultation with my brothers we agreed
that as this picture was, in effect, a summary of Charles' life, and
in order to make the film as complete in every way, we thought it
should be used. ... My brothers and I do not think that the Southern
Cross should ever take the air again. She is a national memorial and
although the object of your Pageant may be a very worthy one, if the
Government released her for this purpose, other bodies may also desire
her use."
On 7 October, Wilfrid wrote again to the RACNSW advising that he and
his brothers had been under the mistaken impression that the Southern
Cross was to be flown during the proposed pageant but were now
aware that it would be flown only from Mascot to Bankstown and return
for static display at the pageant to save dismantling it for transportation
through the streets of Sydney. "Under these circumstances we
naturally withdraw any implied objection to the use of the aircraft."
Earlier, on 3 October, the DGCA had sent a telegram to DCA NSW approving
the loan of the aircraft to the RACNSW for its display on 11 October,
provided;
| " | (a) (b) (c) |
Aircraft is not flown during course of display. You are satisfied aircraft is safe for flight and suitably licensed pilot is employed and Club insures aircraft for sum of five thousand pounds while in its possession. Please advise Club accordingly and that any further requests for loan this aircraft will not be entertained." |
These
requirements were communicated to the RACNSW in a letter from DCA
NSW on 9 October with the further condition that; "The aircraft
is inspected by your Chief Engineer and a report submitted as to the
airworthiness of the airframe and engines for the flight to and from
Bankstown." The suitably licensed pilot was specified as Mr.
H. Purvis. The aircraft was inspected at Mascot the same day and certified
as safe for flight.
On 4 October, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the aircraft
would be flown to the Bankstown pageant by Mr. H. Purvis, senior pilot
of "The Sydney Morning Herald" flying staff. (Herald Flying
Services operated Lockheed Hudsons and Douglas DC-3s delivering newspapers
to country locations.)
An undated letter from DCA NSW to the RACNSW granted approval for
the purchase from Shell Oil, Mascot of 60 gallons of 73 octane fuel
and 10 gallons of 120 oil to ground test VH-USU. (Petrol rationing
was still in effect).
On 10 October, the RACNSW performed the following work on the aircraft:
Labour (44 man hours) £8.10.8
Material £4.4.8
3/4 gallon red pigmented dope
24 sq ft 1/16" plywood
1 pound 3/8" brass brads
3 yards Madapolin
Total: £12.15.4
The Brisbane Courier-Mail of 11 October reported that the Southern
Cross would appear at the pageant, after which "it will then
be placed in the National Museum at Canberra."
| The Southern
Cross on static display at the Bankstown Air Pageant on 11
October 1947. The aircraft was flown in from Mascot at the beginning
of the pageant and it flew back to Mascot at the end of the pageant,
but it did not fly during the pageant! From other photographs
taken on the same day, the RAAF Catalina in the background is
confirmed as A24-92. Picture:
Ron Cuskelly Collection |
| The Sydney Morning Herald, of Monday 13 October 1947 reported on the pageant. Having the aircraft depart for Mascot at the end of the display was evidently intended to fulfil the requirement that it not be flown during the display. |
Read
Harry Purvis' recollections of flying the Southern Cross
After the pageant,
the RACNSW presented its bill to DCA specifying £12.15.4 for
the repairs to the wing and elevator which DCA noted was covered by
a claim on the Employers Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd. An additional
amount of £12.13.2 was claimed for servicing the engines, minor
jobs on the airframe plus the supply of 14 KLG spark plugs and 36
safety pins. DCA NSW recommended to the DGCA that these expenses be
paid as having "contributed significantly to the preservation
of the aircraft which is a responsibility of this Department. It is
considered that their claim is reasonable and a justifiable charge
to the Department."
On 27 October,
Qantas Empire Airways' new Lockheed 749 Constellation VH-EAD arrived
in Sydney on delivery from the United States. The aircraft was named
Charles Kingsford Smith and probably this photograph with
the Southern Cross at Mascot was taken around this time.
| Qantas Lockheed
749 Constellation VH-EAD Charles Kingsford Smith with the
Southern Cross at Mascot, probably in October 1947. Picture:
Qantas Heritage Collection |
The Southern Cross was a popular backdrop for photos of new airliners. On 16 September 1948, TAA's first Convair 240 VH-TAQ John Forrest appeared in the daily newspapers in company with the Southern Cross. Exactly one year later on 16 September 1949, BCPA posed one of their new DC-6s with the Southern Cross (see below).
1948
With
the aeroplane back in storage at Mascot, things went quiet for a while
until 2 April 1948 when a letter from a private citizen appeared in
the Sydney Daily Telegraph posing the question; "Is the
Southern Cross to be a museum piece or isn't it?" This prompted
DCA NSW to seek guidance from the DGCA in a memo of the same date.
" ... this aircraft is stored in the Butler Hangar, No 83, and
is not under constant supervision by members of this Department. It
is therefore likely to suffer some minor depredation. Minor maintenance
to the extent of keeping the machine relatively neat and clean is
carried out by Departmental personnel on one day of each week, but
it would be appreciated if some indication could be given as to the
eventual disposal of the aircraft, as it is at present occupying valuable
hangar space." Clearly the Old Bus was outliving her welcome
at Mascot. The response on 7 April came from Jim Collopy, Divisional
Aircraft Surveyor, NSW Region, addressed to the Chief Maintenance
Engineer, Departmental Aircraft at Mascot, clearly under direction
from the DGCA; " ... the Director-General has advised that responsibility
for keeping VH-USU in a clean and presentable condition is that of
the staff appointed for maintenance of Departmental aircraft. As it
is possible this aircraft may be required to be flown to another location,
it is desirable also that the aircraft be maintained in a condition
of airworthiness which will enable such ferry flight to be undertaken.
Certificate of Airworthiness, Log Books and Schedule may be obtained
from the Divisional Aircraft Surveyor."
(The "schedule" referred to is a listing of equipment fitted
to the aircraft.)
Further correspondence came on 14 April from Edgar Johnston (on behalf
of the DGCA) to the District Superintendent at Mascot; "It is
advised that the plans for Mascot include suitable accommodation in
the proposed administrative building for the housing of this aircraft.
However, it will be some years before these plans are realised and,
in the meantime, you are requested to make suitable arrangements for
storage of the 'Southern Cross' in hangarage at Mascot and to continue
to arrange such maintenance supervision as will ensure that the aircraft
does not deteriorate unduly."
1949
On 5 April 1949, Jim Collopy, on behalf of the Regional Director,
wrote to Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd at Mascot; "Receipt is
acknowledged of Departmental Aircraft VH-USU (Southern Cross) delivered
completed by your Company to Hangar No. 13, Mascot, on 29/3/1949."
Presumably this is the same Hangar 13 that was occupied by Adastra
Airways from about 1956 after it was relocated to the east.
The aircraft suffered further damage on 16 September when it was being
towed for photographic purposes. DCA's Aircraft Maintenance Overseer
reported to the Divisional Aircraft Surveyor, NSW region that: "
... damage was sustained to the front starboard radius rod of the
undercarriage. It shall be necessary to re-new the damaged rod and
until such repairs are completed photographic facilities shall not
be available." This implies that use of the aircraft for photo
opportunities was not unusual. It is possible that the front cover
of British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines' house journal of April 1950
depicts the occasion on which this damage was incurred.
| The front cover of the British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines house journal depicts one of their new DC-6s with the Southern Cross at Mascot. It was BCPA that named the trans-Pacific route the Southern Cross Route in honour of the aeroplane before Qantas flew such services. |
| This photograph
from the Civil Aviation Historical Society is said to have been
taken at Mascot on 16 September 1949 which is the date on which
the Southern Cross was damaged while being towed for photographic
purposes. This would tend to confirm that the photo on the cover
of the BCPA house journal (above) was taken on the same day. The
other aircraft is BCPA DC-6 VH-BPF Endeavour which also
appears in the cover photo.Picture:
CAHS |
| The caption
on the reverse of this photograph of the aeroplane under tow at
Mascot suggests that it was taken on 3 July 1952. However, under
magnification, it is likely that a preceding digit has been torn
off the date in which case it was more likely taken on 23 July
1952. The date stamp 29 JUL 1952 is possibly the date the photo
was prepared for publication. An unattributed and undated newspaper
cutting (not shown above) pasted on the reverse of the print states: "Smithy's old bus the Southern Cross is to be dismantled at Kingsford Smith Airport to make room for Butler Air Transport's maintenance facilities while their other hangar is being moved. Airport Manager H.E. Fraser said the Southern Cross had been carefully looked after. Its wings will be taken off and hoisted to the hangar roof and the fuselage will be crated to keep it safe from souvenir hunters. In due course the Southern Cross will have an honoured place in the airport's new terminal building." A similar report was carried in the Sydney Daily Mirror of 30 July 1952 but without any illustration. It is speculated that the photo shows the aircraft being moved from Hangar 13 to TAA Hangar 2. The latter was to be the aircraft's final storage location at Sydney Airport. Picture:
Ron Cuskelly Collection |
Pillar to Post at Mascot
This table attempts to summarise the various storage locations at Mascot.
|
Date
|
Location
|
|
17FEB39
|
Received from RAAF Richmond and stored in the Butler Hangar at Mascot. |
|
10JUL41
|
To the Civic Administration Hangar at Fairbairn, Canberra. |
|
22JAN46
|
To DAP Hangar at Mascot on completion of filming. |
|
14FEB46
|
By this date the aircraft was back in Butler Hangar 83. |
|
02JAN47
|
By this date the aircraft was in TAA Hangar 2. |
|
14JAN47
|
On this date the aircraft was damaged in the DAP Hangar. Are the DAP Hangar and TAA Hangar 2 one and the same? |
|
02APR48
|
On this date the aircraft was in Butler Hangar 83. |
|
29MAR49
|
Delivered by Butlers to DCA's Hangar 13 which may have been occupied by Butler Air Transport. |
|
23JUL52
|
It is believed that the aircraft was moved from Hangar 13 to TAA Hangar 2 on this date. In the early fifties, Hangar 13 was relocated to the newly-constructed eastern apron at Mascot where it was occupied by Adastra Aerial Surveys. See photo above. |
|
19OCT54
|
Moved from TAA Hangar 2 to Villawood. |
1954
It would appear that the aeroplane was largely undisturbed for approximately
two years. Then, on 31 August 1954 the Regional Director, DCA NSW
issued a minute paper; "Last week I noted the Southern Cross
Aircraft was still in No. 2 Hangar policed by T.A.A. In order to ensure
the safety of this Aircraft and its various parts, it is desired that
it be immediately removed to the Main Store at Villawood. A thorough
check should be made of each item of the airframe and engines and
should there be any missing items, such should be reported immediately.
The airframe and engines are to be examined and placed into satisfactory
condition for long storage at Villawood. It is also to be inspected
from time to time, and maintained in sound condition." In March
1949 the aircraft was moved to Hangar 13 so clearly there was a further
move from Hangar 13 to Hangar 2. This may have occurred around the
time that Hangar 13 was moved to a more easterly location on the airport
so that Adastra could move from Hangar 15 to Hangar 13 at the new
location. This move was thought to have been around 1956 but may have
been earlier.
On 13 October, DCA received a request from Aero Research Laboratories
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin enclosing a questionnaire seeking precise
dimensions of the Southern Cross to enable them to construct
a model for the Smithsonian Institution. A request to physically measure
the aircraft may be related to ongoing debate over the aeroplane's
pedigree. Although there is internal DCA correspondence instructing
the completion of the questionnaire there is no record of the outcome
on the file.
On 19 October the aircraft was moved by the Department of Supply from
"TAA Hangar" to No. 2 Main Store at Villawood as listed
on a series of DCA Convoy Notes as follows:
|
Convoy
Note
|
Vehicle
Regn
|
Contents
|
|
45517
|
C65965
|
1
Port Oil Tank 14 Engine Cowlings 1 Dummy Generator * 1 Escape Hatch Wooden 1 Cane Seat 1 Crank Handle 2 Wheel & Brackets 1 Cockpit Windshield Assy |
|
45518
|
C65822
|
1
Southern Cross Body VH-USU Tailplane and Fin |
|
45519
|
C65965
|
5
Undercarriage Struts & accessories 1 Pitot Mast 1 Steps 2 Nav. Lamps 1 Fuel Line & Filter 1 Tacho Drive (?) 3 Engine Brace Struts 1 Oil Line 1 Fuel Control Panel 3 Engines 2 Wheel Covers |
*
The two generators fitted to the aeroplane when it finally went on
display are non-functioning replicas. One original is held in the
collection of the National Air and Space Museum in the United States
(Inventory Number A19310024000)
An attached Transfer Voucher shows a long list of instruments and
fittings and identifies the three Wright Whirlwind engines by Serial
Numbers 7418, 7416 & B9221. Curiously though, there is no mention
of the one-piece wing so presumably a Convoy Note is missing from
the file. A handwritten note dated 14 October 1955 shows the cost
of the operation, including two Police escorts, as £116-8-3.
1955
The Southern Cross was back in the news on 30 March 1955 when
the Australian Women's Weekly posed the question; "Remember
the Southern Cross? ... The famous old plane has been moved from one
obscure storage place in Sydney to another. ... When Smithy landed
after one or other of his history making flights the wild enthusiasm
of his welcomes out-raved even Johnnie Ray. It was as a result of
this enormous popular enthusiasm that the Commonwealth Government
bought the Southern Cross 20 years ago. Then it was stated
that the plane would be placed on public exhibition so that Australians
for generations to come could see it and pay tribute to the men who
did so much to pioneer aviation. Fine words, and sincerely meant at
the time, no doubt. But nothing has so far come of them. For 20 years
the dismantled plane has lain hidden in store. Its recent removal
to another store has done nothing more than renew the Government promise
that the Southern Cross will be publicly displayed. Just when
is not stated. But there are many who hope another 20 years will not
elapse before this promise is carried out. The Southern Cross
is part of the national heritage. It should not be allowed to lie
forgotten and unseen."
The Beaudesert Times of 21 October carried a letter from Ken
J. Morris MLA, Queensland; "I saw a suggestion the other day
that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's old Southern Cross should be 'taken
out of mothballs' and brought to Eagle Farm Air Port. I think the
suggestion has more than ordinary merit. 'Smithy' had many links with
this state, not least his landing here after the first air crossing
of the Pacific. I have said before that somehow or other we don't
seem to have the knack in this State of keeping strong the links with
our history. It is a pity because history has so many examples to
offer us in building for the future."
1956
On 18 July 1956, the Regional Director DCA NSW wrote to his Queensland
counterpart enclosing a copy of the Southern Cross Equipment
List dated 16 July 1956 for inclusion in the aircraft file which was
held by Queensland Region. The memo further enquired; "As the
aircraft is stationed at this Region please advise if the history
file is still required at your office." The reply came on 2 August
indicating that the file was still required at Queensland Region.
If there had been a subsequent request to reunite the aircraft with
its file in Brisbane, it does not appear on the file!
In the HouseMeanwhile, questions were asked in Parliament. A leading player in the push to get the Southern Cross to Brisbane was Bruce Wight, Liberal MHR for the Brisbane suburban seat of Lilley which included Eagle Farm Airport. The following extracts are from Hansard for the House of Representatives. Tuesday
25 September 1956: |
1957
The next item on the DCA file is a memo dated 15 March 1957 from Regional
Director NSW to Senior Aircraft Surveyor (H. Affleck); "I understand,
after speaking to Bruce Wight, M.P., that the next meeting of the
'Southern Cross' Committee is tentatively arranged for Friday, 5th
April, at 5 p.m."
On 3 May, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, D.G. Anderson, was
quoted in the Western Herald (Bourke, NSW) as saying that he
had no doubt that the Southern Cross could be made airworthy
for a flight from Sydney to Brisbane.
A handwritten note dated 21 May lists the dimensions of the aircraft adding that they were "Extracted from record in library" which suggests that these are not the empirical dimensions requested earlier by the Smithsonian's model makers. More likely they are indicative of another move - or design of a display building.
| Span | 71' 2" |
| Length | 47' 7" |
| Height | 12' 10" |
| Track | 14' 1" |
On
Saturday 3 August, the Sydney Morning Herald reported; "At
least 15 towns and cities will honour the late Sir Charles Kingsford
Smith's plane the Southern Cross as it travels by road to its final
resting-place. ... One of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's pioneer flight
engineers, Mr. H.C. Affleck, will leave Sydney on Monday to visit
towns which wish to honour the plane. The 15 towns and cities which
want to pay a tribute so far are Gosford, Newcastle, Maitland, Singleton,
Muswellbrook, Scone, Murrurundi, Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Tenterfield,
Stanthorpe, Warwick, Toowoomba and Archerfield. The Southern Cross
will be a weekend 'guest of honour' at Newcastle, Tamworth and Armidale,
where experts will completely reassemble it."
On 28 August, the Canberra Times reported that Mr Bruce Wight
MHR had asked the Minister for Air, Mr Osborne, if it might be possible
for the RAAF to arrange transportation of the aircraft from Sydney
to Brisbane by 19 September at the latest and to also provide an escort.
Mr Osborne indicated that transport could be arranged but the matter
of an escort was still under consideration because the trip could
take almost three weeks.
The Canberra Times of 19 September reported that the aircraft
was being dismantled in Hyde Park where it had been on show and that
it was expected to depart at dawn the next day on semi-trailers for
a three-day (sic) journey to Brisbane.
A barely legible telegram to DCA, seemingly dated 15 October states;
"Please advise Mr. Affleck with Southern Cross to contact Mr.
Johnston Brisbane City Hall." Presumably the year is 1957 and
the telegram is connected with the eventual display of the aircraft
in Brisbane. (Mr. J. Johnson was Secretary to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane
and Secretary of the Southern Cross Committee). When it was decided
that the aircraft would be moved to Smithy's birthplace in Brisbane,
Harold Affleck of DCA suggested that the aircraft be placed on public
display at en route locations to assist with fundraising for a display
building at Brisbane's Eagle Farm Airport.
The long road journey to Brisbane was reported in Pacific Islands
Monthly of 1 October 1957 as follows: "The Southern Cross
was placed on public view for the first time in 22 years, at Sydney's
Hyde Park, for a five-day period during early September. It was inspected
by 10,000 people, who contributed over £1,000 towards the cost
of erecting the Brisbane memorial. On its journey from Sydney by road
to its final resting place, the Southern Cross passed through 35 towns
and cities in NSW and Queensland and was exhibited at each. Three
RAAF semi-trailers undertook the three-weeks trip, while RAAF mechanics
and fitters reassembled the historic aircraft, under guidance of Civil
Aviation authorities, at stopping places."
Read
the Itinerary of the Great Road Trip
SYDNEY - HYDE PARK |
 |
|
The Southern
Cross on display in Hyde Park, Sydney in September 1957.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross on display in Hyde Park, Sydney in September 1957.
|
ON THE ROAD |
 |
|
One of
the last people to chauffeur the Southern Cross was
Leading Aircraftman Oswald 'Ossie' Davies (right) who was
tasked to drive one of the RAAF trucks that conveyed the aeroplane
on its last long journey from Villawood to Brisbane. These
photographs from his collection are courtesy of his son Bradgate
Davies. 'Ossie' Davies was subsequently promoted to Sergeant
and served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron. The gentleman on
the left is unidentified.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross en route from Villawood to Brisbane. There appears
to be a sports oval in the background so this may be one of
the locations where the aircraft was reassembled for display
on the journey. The slackened straps suggest that unloading
is in progress.
|
MOONBI |
 |
|
The wing
of the Southern Cross leads the convoy at a truck stop
on the New England Highway on 3 October 1957. Proprietor of
this Atlantic service station was Mr. Alan Kean Treeve who
plied his trade at Moonbi, 20km north of Tamworth at the foot
of the Moonbi Range.
|
ARMIDALE |
 |
|
The fuselage
of the Southern Cross during the loading/unloading
process. The location is unknown but it is believed to be
Armidale.
|
 |
|
The
Southern Cross being unloaded at Armidale Aerodrome,
NSW on the afternoon of 3 October 1957.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross open for public inspection at Armidale Aerodrome,
NSW during its four-day stay in October 1957. At the top of
the viewing platform, a young Bruce Hoy receives a lesson
on the workings of the Wright Whirlwind from his Uncle Eric
Douglas who was a local earth-moving contractor.
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
The
Southern Cross open for public inspection at Armidale,
NSW during its four-day stay in October 1957. Note the Department
of Civil Aviation DC-3 in the background.
|
 |
|
The
Southern Cross open for public inspection at Armidale,
NSW during its four-day stay in October 1957.
|
 |
|
The
Southern Cross open for public inspection at Armidale,
NSW during its four-day stay in October 1957. Note the school
children in uniform.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross open for public inspection at Armidale, NSW during
its four-day stay in October 1957. Note the Department of
Civil Aviation DC-3 in the background.
|
WALLANGARRA - NSW / QLD BORDER |
 |
|
Crossing
the border. The Southern Cross crossed from New South
Wales to Queensland at Wallangarra on schedule at 0945 on
10 October 1957. This also marked the handover of escort duties
from the NSW Police (in dark uniforms) to the Queensland Police
(in white helmets). The Queensland motorcycle policemen were
Sergeant 2/C H.J. Dallinger, Constable 1/C R.L. Tully and
Constable 1/C J.W.A. Preston. The two gentlemen shaking hands
are unidentified.
|
STANTHORPE? |
 |
|
At locations
where the aircraft was not reassembled for display, the Southern
Cross was available for inspection while still loaded
on the trucks. The location is unknown but it is speculated
that it might have been Stanthorpe where the convoy overnighted
on 10 October 1957. Note the three children in the cockpit.
One is making the most of the photo opportunity with a flying
helmet, presumably provided by a proud parent or grandparent.
Such access today would literally require a security clearance
from Canberra.
|
TOOWOOMBA |
 |
|
This location
is said to be Toowoomba where the convoy paused from 12 to
15 October 1957.
|
 |
|
This location
is unknown but the setting appears to match the previous colour
photo which was taken at Toowoomba where the aircraft was
displayed from 12 to 15 October 1957.
|
ARCHERFIELD BRISBANE |
 |
|
The aircraft
was reassembled at Archerfield to be officially received by
the City of Brisbane on 20 October 1957. A microphone stand
on the dais is marked "BC, BH, BK, KQ" which were
all Brisbane commercial radio stations. The following day,
the aircraft was transported to Centenary Place in central
Brisbane where it was displayed until 29 October.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross on display at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane on
20 October 1957. The aircraft was previously displayed assembled
in Ipswich from where it departed at 0700 on 20 October 1957
arriving at Archerfield one hour later to be hastily reassembled
for display at an acceptance ceremony. That same afternoon
the aircraft was dismantled again and transported to Centenary
Place in Brisbane where it was placed on public display.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross on display at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. The
wooden barrier is stencilled "BCC Works" (Brisbane
City Council). Note the viewing platforms on each side of
the aeroplane.
|
 |
|
|
CENTENARY PLACE BRISBANE |
 |
|
The Southern
Cross being reassembled amongst the trees in Centenary
Place in Brisbane. Centenary Place is a park and public speaking
forum centrally located between the central business district
and Fortitude Valley.
|
For the price of two shillings, the public were able to inspect the aircraft from a raised wooden viewing platform along each side of the fuselage. The admission price also included this souvenir brochure.
(Click on the image to read the brochure)
Source of this photo of Smithy
While
on display at Centenary Place in Brisbane, the aircraft was inspected
on 29 October 1957 by the Commanding Officer of No 3 Aircraft Depot,
Wing Commander F.M. Timms and 3AD's Tech Eng Aero, Flying Officer
W.E. Sansum "to assess work to be carried out prior to storage
of aircraft in memorial building." This is the first mention
of the aircraft in the 3AD Operations Record Book.
1958
The next reference in the 3AD ORB is 20 February 1958 when personnel
from 3AD consisting of the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Timms,
Chief Technical Officer, Wing Commander W. Lewis and Squadron Leader
E.A. Addison met with Mr Affleck of DCA at 3AD's Detachment "A"
at Archerfield to confirm servicing requirements for the aircraft.
Clearly the aircraft had been transported from Centenary Place to
Archerfield sometime between 29 October 1957 and 20 February 1958.
The aircraft was also on public display at Archerfield before commencement
of the restoration. On 29 May, Wing Commander Timms and Wing Commander
Lewis attended a conference with the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial
Committee to discuss placing the Southern Cross in the memorial
building at Eagle Farm. On 24 June, the aircraft was moved from the
hangar of 3AD Detachment "A" at Archerfield to Eagle Farm
for assembly in the new memorial building under the supervision of
Technical Engineer Aero, Flying Officer J.W. Warr.
| The restored
Southern Cross, probably photographed in June 1958 outside
one of the hangars occupied by No. 3 Aircraft Depot, Detachment
"A" at Archerfield, Brisbane. Several of these hangars
were located at Kerry Road to the east of Archerfield Aerodrome.
Picture: San Diego
Air and Space Museum Archive. |
| This plaque was attached to the port side of the centre engine cowling to record the restoration by 3AD. Although the unit had its headquarters at Amberley, the airframe was restored at their detachment at Archerfield. Some smaller components may have been worked on at Amberley. Picture: Mick Raftery |
On 10 July 1958, John Ulm (son of Charles Ulm) of Qantas Public Relations
in Sydney wrote to John Arthur, Regional Director, DCA Brisbane enclosing
a photograph of the radio station in the Southern Cross which
had been received via Qantas in San Francisco. Presumably this enquiry
was in connection with displaying the aircraft at Brisbane Airport.
During the restoration, an attempt was made to present the aeroplane
as it was for the Pacific flight in 1928. Modifications such as passenger
doors and extra windows were covered with fabric and the three-bladed
variable pitch propeller on the centre engine was replaced with a
two-bladed wooden prop to match the others. Although the aeroplane
was a much lighter sky blue for the Pacific flight it was painted
royal blue and silver with its American identification number 1985
on the rudder.
On 23 July, Wing Commander Timms and Wing Commander Lewis visited
Eagle Farm Airport with Mr. J. Johnson, Secretary to the Lord Mayor
of Brisbane and Secretary of the Southern Cross Committee to check
on the installation of the aircraft in the new building.
 |
|
The original
memorial building at Eagle Farm. Note the inappropriate hyphen.
|
 |
|
The original
memorial building at Eagle Farm. Date unknown.
|
 |
|
The original
memorial building at Eagle Farm. The building was demolished
after the aircraft was relocated.
|
 |
|
The Southern
Cross inside the original memorial building at Eagle Farm.
|
 |
|
The cockpit
of the Southern Cross inside the original memorial
building at Eagle Farm.
|
 |
|
All that's
missing are the tumbleweeds. The original memorial building
at the deserted Eagle Farm Airport sometime after the Southern
Cross had been relocated to the new airport on 18 November
1987. This building was subsequently demolished.
|
On 17 August, Wing Commander Timms, Wing Commander Lewis and Chief
Equipment Officer, Squadron Leader K.T. Casey, attended the unveiling
by Federal Treasurer Sir Arthur Fadden. (The 3AD ORB records the date
as 19 August but this is in error). In addition to public donations,
Fokker contributed £6,000 and Atlantic Union Oil contributed £5,000.
The cost of the building was reported to be £31,000.
The opening of the memorial is best described by that doyen of Australian
aviation historians, the late Ted Wixted:
| The Brisbane memorial building-called the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial, was opened on August 17, 1958, in the thirtieth anniversary year of the Pacific flight. The two Americans, upon whose professional skills so much of the success of that flight had depended, Harry Lyon the navigator and Jim Warner the radio operator, came from the United States as guests of honour. Present also was John Ulm, son of Charles Ulm. During the ceremony a flight of R.A.A.F. Meteor jets, passed overhead in the five star formation of the Southern Cross. High in the air a skywriter was busy. The name traced out in white smoke was Smithy. The ceremony made it clear that, despite the sacrifice and gallantry of the wartime period, the spontaneously great pioneering achievements of Australia's early aviators remained a yardstick by which individual endeavour, courage, and grit, could be measured. |
1967
- A Retrospective
A letter dated 19 October 1967 from the Australian Embassy in Washington
D.C. addressed to Howard Emmerson of DCA Brisbane enclosed copies
of a file of documents relating to the registration of the aircraft
in the USA as requested by the recipient. Perhaps the most remarkable
is a Department of Commerce, Aeronautics Branch "Application
for Identification Mark" form submitted jointly by Charles E.
Kingsford Smith, Keith V. Anderson and Charles T.P. Ulm (and in that
order) showing the following details among several others (all verbatim):
| Type | Fokker Tri-Motor Type F 7 |
| Manufacturer | Atlantic Aircraft Corporation |
| Manufacturer's No. * | 3 - F - 7 * |
| Remodeler | Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle |
| Remodeling | 8th October, 1927 |
| Description of Reconstruction | Installation of New Engines and two new additional tanks - complete inspection and refinishing. |
| Seating capacity, exclusive of pilot | Relief Pilot and two Navigators |
| Wing area in square feet | 718 |
| Over-all span | 71' 8" |
| Over-all length | 47' |
| Engines: Make, type and model | (3) Wright Whirlwind J.5.A (Nos. 7416-7-8) |
| Person from whom airplane was purchased | George Hubert Wilkins |
| State purposes for which airplane will be used: | Experimental flight from San Francisco or Oakland to Australia. |
The
application was dated 14 October 1927. Subsequently it was endorsed
in large handwriting "#1985". On 15 October, the radio call
letters KHAB were assigned to the aircraft. On 31 October the Director
of Aeronautics certified; " ... the aircraft described below
is an UNLICENSED aircraft to which has been assigned the following
identification mark 1985." Accompanying the certificate was a
letter and a metal identification plate "... which must be permanently
affixed to the fuselage in a prominent place, in order that it may
be readily inspected. No letter or other mark or symbol of any kind
shall immediately precede or follow the identification mark thus displayed
on your aircraft."
* Probably this should be interpreted as Manufacturer's Model
Number not Manufacturer's Serial Number. Source 8 quotes a
Constructor's Number of 4954 for the Southern Cross.
On 18 March 1930, the Department of Commerce wrote to Messrs. Kingsford
Smith, Anderson and Ulm advising that correspondence addressed to
them had been returned unclaimed and therefore; "Unlicensed identification
number 1985, assigned this plane, is hereby cancelled on the records
of this office." Clearly this was of no concern to Smithy as
by this time the aircraft was on the Australian Register as G-AUSU
(effective 4 July 1928). Effective from 16 April 1931 the aircraft
became VH-USU.
1967
During October 1967 the fabric covering of the fuselage was replaced
because of deterioration. (See Photo
Gallery).
1987
In preparation for the opening of Brisbane's new airport, the aircraft
was relocated to a new air-conditioned memorial building opposite
the International Terminal. (See Photo
Gallery).
|
WHO OWNS THE SOUTHERN CROSS? The Southern Cross remains the property of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is on display at Brisbane International Airport in the care of Brisbane Airport Corporation Airport Facilities. Its custodianship is governed by the "Southern Cross Warehousing and Display Agreement" with the Commonwealth. The aircraft is subject to six-monthly maintenance inspections. |
"Smithy's international contribution makes its demands. History presents its bill. It is the unique ability of a great and genuine Australian achiever that is the real issue behind the search for the Lady Southern Cross. That point should be understood. The bill must be paid. The unwritten final page must be written. It is owed to Smithy."
Ted Wixted (The Life and Times of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith p.245)
|
GLOSSARY
|
|
| 3AD | No. 3 Aircraft Depot, RAAF Amberley |
| 3CU | No. 3 Communications Unit, RAAF Mascot |
| a/c | aircraft |
| AFC | Air Force Cross |
| AWM | Australian War Memorial, Canberra |
| CofA | Certificate of Airworthiness |
| DAP | Department of Aircraft Production |
| DCA | Department of Civil Aviation |
| DGCA | Director-General of Civil Aviation |
| F/L | Flight Lieutenant (RAAF) |
| F/O | Flying Officer (RAAF) |
| F/S | Flight Sergeant (RAAF) |
| MHR | Member of the House of Representatives (Commonwealth) |
| MLA | Member of the Legislative Assembly (Queensland) |
| MP | Member of Parliament |
| NSW | New South Wales |
| ORB | Operations Record Book |
| RAAF | Royal Australian Air Force |
| RACNSW | Royal Aero Club of New South Wales |
| TAA | Trans-Australia Airlines |
| W/O | Warrant Officer (RAAF) |
|
UNITS
|
|
| Currency | Expressed in the units of the day as £/-/- Pounds/Shillings/Pence. Australia converted to decimal currency in 1966. |
| Dimensions | Expressed as feet (') and inches (") |
|
SOURCES
|
|
|
1
|
Wixted, Edward P., 1927-2001 The Life and Times of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith: An Illustrated Chronology, self published, 1996. |
|
2
|
NAA: J778, VH-USU PART 2, Series number: J778. |
|
3
|
RAAF Form E/E.88 Airframe Record Card VH-USU. (Status Card) |
|
4
|
Bert Cookson, The Historic Civil Aircraft Register of Australia (Pre War) G-AUAA to VH-UZZ, AustAirData, 1996 |
|
5
|
NAA: Series A9186, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] No 3 Aircraft Depot Mar 42 - Jun 67. |
|
6
|
NAA: Series A9186, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 2 Aircraft Depot. |
|
7
|
NAA: Series A9186, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Numbers 1, 2 and 3 Communication Unit Feb 40 - Feb 46. |
|
8
|
Fokker Commercial Aircraft, published by Fokker, 1994. |
|
Issue
|
Date
|
Remarks
|
|
30
|
04AUG24
|
Added a new page on Smithy's Plaque of Memory. |
|
29
|
24MAY24
|
The Percival Gull in the bottom right corner of the aerial photo of Richmond on 18 July 1935 is believed ro be VH-UTC. It was previously thought to be P.G. Taylor's VH-UTP but recent input from Graham Orphan and Don Johnston suggests that it is more likely VH-UTC. It should be remembered that P.G. Taylor was the Australian agent for Percival Aircraft at that time. |
|
28
|
13MAY24
|
Added a new page on the making of the movie Smithy. |
|
27
|
24FEB24
|
Added
a photo of the Southern
Cross under tow at Mascot in 1952. Also added another colour image of the original memorial building at Eagle Farm thanks to Phil Vabre of the CAHS. |
|
26
|
07JAN24
|
Added a photo of Smithy in Chicago. This photo was later used on the front cover of the brochure issued for the road trip of the Southern Cross from Sydney to Brisbane. |
|
25
|
27OCT23
|
Added a colour photo of the aircraft on display at Toowoomba. This photo suggests that the black and white image of the aircraft being reassembled is also at Toowoomba as earlier speculated. |
|
24
|
25OCT23
|
Added
four photographs taken on the road trip from Sydney to Brisbane.
The photos are from an unknown source via the Ron Cuskelly Collection.
The photos of the road trip have been rearranged into chronological sequence. Also added a 1965 image of Archerfield to show the location where the Southern Cross was displayed in 1957. |
|
23
|
16JUL23
|
Added a reference to the engines fitted in January 1932. |
|
22
|
14JUL23
|
Added images of the engine data plates thanks to Mick Raftery. |
|
21
|
02MAR23
|
Added
a new page on John Kingsford-Smith
and his part in the Smithy movie. Added an image of the RAAF Status Card. |
|
20
|
27FEB23
|
Corrected the names of the crew on the test flight on 21MAY45. |
|
19
|
22OCT22
|
Added two images of the aircraft on display in Hyde Park, Sydney. Thanks to the Civil Aviation Historical Society, Rob Fox Collection. |
|
18
|
18OCT22
|
Added an image of the aircraft probably taken at 3AD Archerfield in June 1958. |
|
17
|
18JUN22
|
Added a summary of Smithy's Significant Flights thanks to the late Ted Wixted. |
|
16
|
15MAR22
|
Added another colour image taken at Armidale during the road trip to Brisbane. Thanks to Bruce Hoy. |
|
15
|
26JAN22
|
Added a colour image of the aircraft on display at Archerfield thanks to the late Richard Hitchins. |
|
14
|
26JAN22
|
Added
another colour image taken at Armidale during the road trip to
Brisbane. Thanks to Bruce Hoy. Added three colour images taken at Armidale during the road trip to Brisbane. Thanks to Paul Barratt. Attempts to contact Mr Barratt have been unsuccessful and it is understood that he may be deceased. |
|
13
|
19JAN22
|
Added two colour images taken at Armidale during the road trip to Brisbane. Thanks to Bruce Hoy. |
|
12
|
12DEC21
|
Added an image of the Southern Cross at Mascot during filming in 1945. Thanks to Mick Raftery. |
|
11
|
04NOV21
|
Added the itinerary of the Great Road Trip to Brisbane. Thanks to Mick Raftery. |
|
10
|
13NOV21
|
Added a series of images of the road trip from Villawood to Brisbane from the collection of Sergeant Oswald 'Ossie' Davies thanks to his son Bradgate Davies. |
|
9
|
22SEP21
|
Added an image of the aircraft at the Bankstown Air Pageant on 11 October 1947. |
|
8
|
16SEP21
|
Added a new page on the First Retirement in the USA. |
|
7
|
11SEP21
|
Added
a table of storage locations at Mascot. Added an image of the aircraft and its cockpit inside the original memorial building at Eagle Farm. Added three images of the aircraft in storage at Mascot thanks to Phil Vabre of the CAHS. Added a new page Is the Southern Cross Fair Dinkum? Added an analysis of the Southern Cross Fuel Tanks. |
|
6
|
05SEP21
|
Added a section on Smithy's Last Wish for the Southern Cross. |
|
5
|
24AUG21
|
Added
a signed flown cover from Smithy's last flight in the Southern
Cross thanks to Phil Vabre. Added an image of QEA Constellation VH-EAD with the Southern Cross. |
|
4
|
20AUG21
|
Added a new section on Engines & Propellers. |
|
3
|
18AUG21
|
Added
an image of the Eagle Farm Memorial building thanks to Peter Gates. Added an image of the Southern Cross with a BCPA DC-6 thanks to Phil Vabre at the CAHS. |
|
2
|
14AUG21
|
Added
an Index. Moved photos to a separate page. Added Harry Purvis' recollections of flying the Southern Cross for the movie and the Bankstown pageant. Added a press report on the road trip at 3 August 1957. |
|
1
|
13AUG21
|
Original issue. With thanks to Mick Raftery and Tim Kalina. Remembering Ted. |
