Australia Flight

Alan Cobham became the first person to fly from England to Australia and back in his de Havilland D.H. 50J biplane.

(From left to right) Arthur Elliott, Sir Charles Wakefield and Alan Cobham in front of a de Havilland D.H.50J biplane with specially constructed floats at Rochester, England

He began his flight in Rochester, England on 30 June 1926. The outward journey had spanned 47 days and over 13,000 miles when he reached Melbourne, Australia on 15 August 1926.

On 29 August 1926 he left for Westminster, London landing on the River Thames 34 days later on 1 October 1926.

After landing he personally delivered a petition to Parliament about the benefits and importance of civil aviation to the nation.

Alan Cobham received a knighthood for this pioneering journey.