85 Years Ago Today - The Southern Cross Conquers the Tasman

[Dave Homewood]

On the 11th of September 1928 the Southern Cross, a Fokker Trimotor VH-USU, set off from Richmond Aerodrome, Sydney, and crossed the Tasman Sea and touched down at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch. This was the first successful aerial crossing of the Tasman, one of the last unflown bodies of water at the time.

The Crew were:
S/Ldr Charles Kingsford Smith (Pilot, Australian)
F/Lt Charles Ulm (Co-pilot, Australian)
Harry Litchfield (Navigator, Australian) and
Tom McWilliam (Radio Operator, New Zealander)

This incredible feat ignited the New Zealand public's interest in aviation and resulted in aero clubs and aerodromes being established around New Zealand.

[Dave Homewood]

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 5

"ON WINGS OF THE MORNING"

FIRST TASMAN FLIGHT.

MEMORIAL SLAB LAID
(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)
CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

Following is the inscription on the slab laid at Wigram Aerodrome to mark the spot where the Southern Cross landed—•

"Here the Southern Cross first touched New Zealand soil, after the pioneer aeroplane flight across the Tasman Sea, September 11, 1928."

Then follows the names of the four airmen, and the words: "They came on the wings of the morning."

This stone was laid by Sir Henry Wigram."

[flyjoe180]

Definitely worthy of mention and remembrance, thanks for posting on the 85th anniversary of this historic flight Dave.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Joe, apart from my post here and the posts i made on Facebook it seems otherwise overlooked.

[ron]

Thanks Dave for reminding us of this historic event. VH-USU by the way.

Rgds

[Dave Homewood]

Whoops, a typo. Thanks for the correction.

[skyhawkdon]

New Memorial and plaque that has been incorporated into the new Wigram housing development
.

[Andy Wright]

What a great memorial.

[flyjoe180]

Sept 12, 2013 11:24:30 GMT 12 Andy Wright said:

What a great memorial.

I agree, fantastic. Thanks for posting the pics Don. So glad to see they have preserved this important piece of aviation history through such a memorial.

[AussieBob]

Although at the time of the Tasman crossing in September 1928, its registration was G-AUSU (Jul 28 - July 29) and VH-USU from 1931 onwards.
The Wigram plaque has the correct one on the wing underside.

[Dave Homewood]

Yeah, I remember that registration change now. It was VH-USU for the two subsequent visits to New Zealand.

[Dave Homewood]

I just came across this article about souvenirs that Charles Kingsford Smith left in New Zealand. I am wondering what has happened to the two signed parchments - both the one donated to the museum and the one that was raffled?

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 78, 10 October 1928, Page 10

FLIGHT SOUVENIRS

ONE TO KEEP, TWO TO EAT

Three unusual souvenirs of the flight of Captain Kingsford Smith and his party across the Tasman in the Southern Cross have been received by the Art Gallery and Museum Carnival Committee to help the £100,000 campaign.

Two parchments were a few days ago prepared in outline form setting out the main particulars of the flight, date, class of machine, time of flying, and so on, and were sent to Blenheim to Kingsford Smith.

He has supplied full information in tabloid form, to be inscribed in illuminated lettering on the parchments, both of which have been signed by the two pilots, the navigator, and the wireless man.

The parchments will be mounted and framed; one will be deposited in, the Dominion Museum, and the other will be offered at auction during Carnival Week.

Captain Kingsford Smith also sent across two boxes of chocolates which were brought over from Sydney on the Southern, Cross, and these will also be auctioned. According to the balance between sentiment and imagination on one side and plain appetite on the other, the chocolates may or may not be handed on as souvenirs; the parchment certainly will.