Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Print Page 
The preserved aeroplane, the "Southern Cross" commemorates aviator, Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith.
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford-Smith MC, AFC often called Charles Kingsford-Smith, or by his nickname Smithy, was a well-known early Australian aviator. In 1928, he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States. He also made a flight from Australia to London, and set a new record of 10.5 days.
In brilliant sunshine 3,000 people yesterday watched the Federal Treasurer, Sir Arthur -Fadden, unveil a gleaming glass and aluminium memorial to aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Enshrined in the £31,000 memorial, built at the gateway to Brisbane airport is the Southern Cross, Smithy's Fokker monoplane, which he flew on his epic trans pacific flight 30 years ago. The unveiling took place only 300 yds. from the spot where Kingsford Smith and his three crew members, co-pilot Charles Ulm, navigator Harry Lyon and radio-operator James Warner, touched down at Eagle Farm on June 9, 1928. They made their crossing from Oakland, California, in 83½ hours. Crowds to-day lined the barriers four deep, and 500 official guests, including Lyon and Warner, saw Sir Arthur open the memorial.
The Canberra Times (ACT), 18 August 1958.
Location
| Address: | Airport Drive, Brisbane Airport , 4007 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.399444 Long: 153.108611 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Technology |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Aviation |
| Designer: | Guy Crick Lewis & Williams (Honorary Architects), R. J. McWilliam Consulting Engineer, Hutcherson & Newton Contractors |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Sunday 17th August, 1958 |
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Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial
