In 1928 the indefatigable Australian aviator Herbert (Bert) John Louis Hinkler (1892-1933) made the first solo flight between England and Australia, using Avro 581 Avian G-EBOV. Leaving London/Croydon on 7 February, he arrived at his home town of Bundaberg, Queensland, on 27 February. The flight took 128 flying hours and in the process Hinkler had smashed the old record time between the two countries from 28 to just over 15 days.

The shot above was undoubtedly taken in the UK before departure and shows Hinkler sitting astride the fuselage. That below shows the machine after arrival in Australia (thought to be in Queensland).

In the early 1920s Hinkler was a test pilot for A.V. Roe and Company and G-EBOV was the prototype Avian (production models were given the type number 594). The aircraft had taken place in three of the six Lympne trials and was modified to a type 581E for the historic flight. The Lympne trials were sponsored by the Daily Mail and organised annually from 1923 by the British Air Ministry in an attempt to encourage the design of practical light aircraft.

During 1926-27 Hinkler had successfully raced G-EBOV in the UK, although it was only powered by an 85hp Cirrus, and also made a non-stop flight to Riga, Latvia.

When Hinkler returned to the UK in 1929 he presented G-EBOV to the Queensland Government, and it is preserved today in the Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

Click here to see a photo of Bert Hinkler with CCA Lt Col Brinsmead

(Photos: Top-Eddie Coates collection; Bottom-CAHS collection)

Back to the main Items of General Interest index