First trans-Tasman flight landed 11 Sept 1928

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

First trans-Tasman flight when the Southern Cross arrived in Christchurch from Sydney on 11 September 1928

Southern Cross, Aircraft, Plane, Trans-Tasman, Tasman Sea, Flying, Flight, Aviation, Charles Kingsford Smith

The Southern Cross was the first aircraft to cross the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand on 10-11 September 1928. The plane was a three-engined Fokker monoplane. Aboard were four crew: Three Australians (Squadron Leader Charles Kingsford Smith, co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Charles Ulm, and navigator Harry Litchfield) and a New Zealander (wireless operator Tom McWilliams who was a teacher at the Union Steam Ship Company’s radio school in Wellington). They had left Richmond, west of Sydney, on 10 September after being delayed by bad weather for ten days. During the Tasman crossing, the Southern Cross had encountered ice and rain during an electrical  storm which coated the windshield obscuring the pilots' vision, damaged the three propellors, and knocked out the radio transmitter for several hours. After circling over Wellington, they touched down at the Wigram Aerodrome in Sockburn, Christchurch on 11 September at 9.22 am (NZ time) -  they'd flown 2670 km in 14 hours 25 minutes. 

Afterwards the four crew attended civic receptions in the North and South Islands whilst the Southern Cross was repaired and serviced in Christchurch. On 27 September they flew the repaired Southern Cross to Woodbourne, Blenheim to prepare to fly back to Australia. When the weather cleared, they left Blenheim on 13 October and landed at Sydney at 1.42am on 14 October after a 22 hour 51 minute flight. Today the flight between Sydney and Christchurch takes about 3 - 3.5 hours.   

Image: ALB835625007

'Southern Cross' was 1st aircraft to fly trans-Tasman when it flew from Sydney & landed in Christchurch on 11 Sept 1928

The 4 crew were greeted by c.30,000. Afterwards, they toured NZ; then departed back to Sydney on 13 Oct 1928.

ALB835625007

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The Fokker 'Southern Cross'

Image: Charles Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross

The 'Southern Cross' was a Fokker F.VIIb/3m trimotor monoplane, VH-USU

Wingspan of 23 metres; length c.15 metres; & height of 3.9 metres. It had a cruising speed of 93 mph.

Charles Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross

Auckland Libraries

In 1926, Australian Charles Kingsford Smith and co-pilot Charles Ulm had purchased the Fokker 'Southern Cross', which was originally named 'Detroiter', from Australian George Hubert Wilkins. It had been purchased by Wilkins from Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker and flown as a polar exploration aircraft during the Detroit News-Wilkins Arctic Expedition. After crashing in Alaska in 1926, it had been rebuilt and was offered for sale to Kingsford Smith and Ulm as Wilkins thought it too large for the Arctic's conditions. As the plane was without engines and navigation instruments, Kingsford Smith and Ulm fitted it out in readiness for their intended trans-Pacific flight. However, following sponsorship and fundraising difficulties for the flight, they sold 'Detroiter' to US Captain G. Allan Hancock whom Kingsford Smith had taught to fly. Hancock loaned the plane to Kingsford Smith and Ulm for their attempt to be the first to fly across the Pacific from California to Queensland from 28 May to 9 June 1928. With the Fokker renamed the ‘Southern Cross’,  they set off with marine navigator Harry Lyon and James (Jim) Warner as the radio operator. On their successful arrival in Australia, Kingsford Smith and Ulm received a telegram from Hancock transferring the title of the plane to both of them. The 'Southern Cross' came to be nicknamed ‘the old bus’. 

Source: 

Departure from Sydney, 10 Sept 1928 

Image: Australia and South-West Pacific.Edited by John Bartholomew, M.C., LL.D. The Geographical Institute Edinburgh. Copyright, John Bartholomew & Son, LTD. (with three inset maps) Macquarie I. (To Australia), Lord Howe I. (To Australia), and Norfolk I. (to Australia), 1:500,000.

Trans-Tasman route flown by 'Southern Cross' was from Richmond, west of Sydney, to the Wigram Aerodrome in Christchurch

(Wigram Aerodrome was originally named Sockburn Airport until 1923, & is located in the Sockburn suburb of Christchurch)

Australia and South-West Pacific.Edited by John Bartholomew, M.C., LL.D. The Geographical Institute Edinburgh. Copyright, John Bartholomew & Son, L...

Digital Public Library of America

Image: Southern Cross and crew

Crew: Pilot Charles Kingsford Smith, co-pilot Charles Ulm, navigator Harry Litchfield & wireless operator Tom McWilliams

McWilliams was a New Zealander who was a teacher at the Union Steam Ship Company’s radio school in Wellington

Southern Cross and crew

MTG Hawke's Bay

NZ Govt had chosen McWilliams to represent NZ & organised for a memorial wreath to be dropped for 2 NZAF pilots

Capt Hood & Lt Moncrieff had lost their lives when attempting to cross the Tasman in Jan 1928

THE COMING FLIGHT (Evening Post, 17 July 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

As a trial run for McWilliams & Litchfield, they joined the 1st non-stop flight from Melbourne to Perth in Aug 1928

The 'Southern Cross' was piloted by Kingsford Smith & Ulm, & the flight took 23 ½ hours

SOUTHERN CROSS (Evening Post, 23 August 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: To Fly From Australia To New Zealand in the Southern Cross

Publicity photo in Sydney prior to their departure for Christchurch

To Fly From Australia To New Zealand in the Southern Cross

Auckland Libraries

The 'Southern Cross' was scheduled to depart from Richmond on 1 Sept, but bad weather ended up delaying its take-off

SATISFACTORY TESTS (Evening Post, 01 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Preparations for arrival of 'Southern Cross' at Wigram & traffic management were described by Evening Post (3 Sept)

ON THEIR TOES (Evening Post, 03 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: The airplane Southern Cross, which Is expected to leave the aerodrome at Richmond, Sydney, at 6 o'olock this evening (Australian time) for the flight across the Tasman Sea to Chrlstchurch, arriving at the latter city early to-morrow afternoon. j (Evening Post, 01 September 1928)

The 'Southern Cross' eventually departed from Richmond just after 5pm on 10 Sept

The airplane Southern Cross, which Is expected to leave the aerodrome at Richmond, Sydney, at 6 o'olock this evening (Australian time) for the flig...

National Library of New Zealand

Broadcasting Company arranged radio transmissions of the flight from IYA Auckland, 2YA Wellington, & 3YA Christchurch

Morse messages from plane were translated. 2FC Sydney used its shortwave station for listeners in Britain, Europe, & US.

NEWS BY WIRELESS (Evening Post, 01 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

The Evening Post (11 Sept) recounted the 'Southern Cross' taxiing down the runway as it left Richmond

On board were letters from Aust PM Bruce to NZ PM Coates, & Aust Gov-General Stonehaven to NZ Gov-General Fergusson

A QUIET SEND-OFF (Evening Post, 11 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Tasman Sea and cloudscape from the air.

Half-way across Tasman Sea, 'Southern Cross' encountered heavy rain & ice during an electrical storm

Windscreen was coated obscuring the pilots' vision; 3 propellors were damaged; & radio contact lost until about 4.30am

Tasman Sea and cloudscape from the air.

Auckland Libraries

Image: Inside The Monoplane Southern Cross: The Quarters Occupied by the Wireless Operator And The Navigator

Inside the cramped quarters of the 'Southern Cross'

Inside The Monoplane Southern Cross: The Quarters Occupied by the Wireless Operator And The Navigator

Auckland Libraries

The crew's flying conditions & methods of communication with each other were recounted by the Evening Post (12 Sept)

Written notes on a long pole were passed between the cockpit & pilots' compartment due to noisiness inside the plane

BRILLIANT TASMAN PILOTS (Evening Post, 12 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Wellington, possibly Trentham. Three planes in the sky

As they neared NZ the weather improved. On reaching Wellington, they circled overhead & then carried onto Christchurch.

The crew had dropped the memorial wreath approximately 240 km off the coast of NZ

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Wellington, possibly Trentham. Three planes in the sky

Alexander Turnbull Library

Escorted into Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, 11 Sept 1928

Image: MUS04055

When passing over Amberley, they were met by four Bristol F2B Fighters from the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF)

Amberley is about an hour north of Christchurch

MUS04055

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Image: Aerial view of Wigram Aerodrome

The Bristol Fighters escorted them to Wigram Aerodrome at Christchurch

The Bristol Fighters were led in F2B 6857 by Captain Maurice Buckley who also carried a cameraman on board

Aerial view of Wigram Aerodrome

Auckland Libraries

Image: Aerial view of Wigram Aerodrome

Wigram Aerodrome was originally named the Sockburn Airport until 1928 & lies in the Sockburn suburb of Christchurch

Aerial view of Wigram Aerodrome

Auckland Libraries

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Plane in flight, over hanger

Arrival of the 'Southern Cross' at Wigram

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Plane in flight, over hanger

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Southern Cross, the monoplane which made the first non-stop Trans-Tasman flight, at Christchurch

The arrival at Wigram was filmed from Bristol Fighter 6857 gunner’s station, with camera’s tripod lashed to the fuselage

Cameraman Frank McKechnie was from the Govt Publicity Office which was part of the Department of Internal Affairs

Southern Cross, the monoplane which made the first non-stop Trans-Tasman flight, at Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: First Trans-Tasman flight: Kingsford Smith lands at Wigram in the 'Southern Cross', 1928.

Film was taken by ferry overnight from Lyttelton to Wellington where it was processed & released to cinemas that day

First Trans-Tasman flight: Kingsford Smith lands at Wigram in the 'Southern Cross', 1928.

Radio New Zealand

Image: MUS090235

MUS090235

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Image: The Southern Cross at Sockburn, Christchurch

The 'Southern Cross' touched down on 11 Sept at 9.22 am (NZ time) - the crew had flown 2670 km in 14 hours 25 minutes

The Southern Cross at Sockburn, Christchurch

Palmerston North City Library

Christchurch reception with c.30,000 people

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross in New Zealand. Location unidentified, possibly Christchurch

Crowds had started assembling since 7.30am alerted by radio reports of the ‘Cross' circling over Wellington

Arrival of the Southern Cross in New Zealand. Location unidentified, possibly Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Crowd scene

Public servants were granted time off until 11am

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Crowd scene

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Southern Cross at Christchurch

By 9.00am more than 30,000 were waiting the plane's arrival

Southern Cross at Christchurch

Auckland Libraries

Image: WgF4

WgF4

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Image: Charles Kingsford Smith arriving in Christchurch after the first successful flight over the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand - Photograph taken by Green and Hahn

The crew were greeted by Captain Findlay who was the commanding officer of Wigram

Charles Kingsford Smith arriving in Christchurch after the first successful flight over the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand - Photograph t...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Dignitaries

Also present: Deputy Mayor D.G. Sullivan; MP Sir Heaton Rhodes & Major Tom Wilkes who was the Director of Air Services

The Mayor, Rev John Archer, was unable to get through the crowd to make the official welcome

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Dignitaries

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Crew posed with the plane

The crew were given silver ferns, one of which is held by the Air Force Museum

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Christchurch. Crew posed with the plane

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: MUS98098

During the throng, Kingsford Smith lost his flying helmet which was later found without its black cat good luck emblem

(The helmet, which he gave to the young girl who found it, is now in the Air Force Museum)

MUS98098

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Southern Cross is repaired and serviced

Image: Alongside the aeroplane Southern Cross, Woodbourne Airfield, Blenheim

The 'Southern Cross' was repaired at Wigram by NZPAF staff with replacement propellors ordered fom Sydney

(Image: The new propellors being reattached after the plane was fixed & flown to Woodbourne, Blenheim)

Alongside the aeroplane Southern Cross, Woodbourne Airfield, Blenheim

Alexander Turnbull Library

Four 'Southern Cross' crew tour NZ

Image: WgF23

Whilst 'Southern Cross' was unavailable due to repairs, the crew used 3 of the Bristol Fighter planes to tour around NZ

Thethree F2B Fighters: 6856, 6857 and the dual control 7120

WgF23

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Image: MUS120135

Captain Buckley (front seat) & Tom McWilliams, Wireless Operator, sitting in Bristol Fighter 6856

MUS120135

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Image: MUS090168

The 3 Bristol Fighters flew via Woodbourne Airport in Blenheim to the North Island

While at Woodbourne, Kingsford Smith & Ulm, were made honorary members of the New Zealand Air Force (Reserve)

MUS090168

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Wellington

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Wellington, possibly Trentham. Radio operator T H McWilliams

Arrival of the 'Southern Cross' crew at Wellington

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Wellington, possibly Trentham. Radio operator T H McWilliams

Alexander Turnbull Library

On 17 Sept 1928, the official Government luncheon took place at Parliament House in Wellington

On Govt's behalf, PM Coates presented a film of the arrival of the Southern Cross & a £2,000 honorarium

STATE WELCOME (Evening Post, 17 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: 2021-019.9

Crew with Denzil Ardell (Dpt of Internal Affairs). L-R: Ulm, Ardell, Kingsford Smith, McWilliams, & Litchfield

2021-019.9

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Auckland

Road trip to Hamilton, Cambridge & Rotorua

Image: Charles Ulm, front left, and Charles Kingsford-Smith, on right, in front of a Studebaker Commander, Auckland, New Zealand, 1928

From Auckland, the crew toured by car through Hamilton, Cambridge & Rotorua; then returned to Auckland

Charles Ulm, front left, and Charles Kingsford-Smith, on right, in front of a Studebaker Commander, Auckland, New Zealand, 1928

Trove

Image: The Tasman Fliers Welcomed in the Chief Town of the Waikato District

Crowd in Victoria Street, Hamilton welcoming the aircrew

Afterwards, the aircrew attended a civic reception at the Cambridge Town Hall where they were greeted by 1500 people

The Tasman Fliers Welcomed in the Chief Town of the Waikato District

Auckland Libraries

Image: Crew of the Southern Cross, at the hot pools with guide, Bella, Rotorua, New Zealand, September 1928 [2]

Aircrew visited Rotorua where they were shown around the hot pool with Guide Bella

Crew of the Southern Cross, at the hot pools with guide, Bella, Rotorua, New Zealand, September 1928 [2]

Trove

Image: McWilliam, Kingsford-Smith, Guide Bella, Ulun [?] and Lichfield at Whakarewarewa.

McWilliam, Kingsford-Smith, Guide Bella, Ulun [?] and Lichfield at Whakarewarewa.

Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Image: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Guide Bella

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Guide Bella

Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Image: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at the Bath House

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at the Bath House

Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Image: Preparing for takeoff, Māngere, 1928

After visiting the Waikato & Rotorua, the crew returned by car to the Auckland Airport

Preparing for takeoff, Māngere, 1928

Auckland Libraries

Image: The Tasman Fliers Pay A Visit to the Capital Of Marlborough Province

Kingsford Smith & Ulm visited Blenheim

The Tasman Fliers Pay A Visit to the Capital Of Marlborough Province

Auckland Libraries

From Wigram to Blenheim & back to Sydney

Image: The Southern Cross leaving Sockburn Aerodrome, Christchurch

At Wigram the 'Southern Cross' made its first flight on 27 Sept after the repairs were completed

The Southern Cross leaving Sockburn Aerodrome, Christchurch

Tasman District Libraries

Two further test flight were held with guests & sightseers over Christchurch

TEST FLIGHTS MADE (Evening Post, 28 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Blenheim, hangar and crowd

On 28 September, Southern Cross left for Blenheim to make preparations to return to Sydney

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Blenheim, hangar and crowd

Alexander Turnbull Library

Evening Post reports unfavourable weather delaying the departure of the 'Southern Cross' (3 Oct)

Article also describes the various gifts the four crew received during their NZ tour

THE RETURN FLIGHT (Evening Post, 03 October 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Arrival of the Southern Cross at Blenheim. Crowd scene

After weather improves, on 13 Oct at 4.10am, the 'Southern Cross' taxied off in front of about c.5000 people

The plane was escorted for 160kms by two Bristol Fighters flown by Captains Findlay & Buckley

Arrival of the Southern Cross at Blenheim. Crowd scene

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A happy reunion after the return flight across the Tasman sea

Flying into strong westerlies & fog, they landed at Sydney at 1.42am on 14 Oct after 22 hour 51 minute flight

On landing they had 10 minutes of fuel left

A happy reunion after the return flight across the Tasman sea

Auckland Libraries

An account of the radio transmissions during the return flight of the 'Southern Cross' to Richmond

FOLLOWING THE PLANE (Evening Post, 15 October 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: At the top left (from loft to right), Mr. H. A. Litchfield, Lieut. C. P. T. Ulm, Captain Kingsford,Smith, and Mr. T. H. M'Williams, the four airmen who have again conquered the Tasman Soa, by returning to Australia through the air, show/mg that this method of-travelling is possible both ways. At the top right, Captain Kingsford Smith is seen after receiving the Commonwealth's monetary gift at the hands of the.Prime Minister (Mr. S. M. Bruce) at the termination of the Pacific side of the adventure. In the centre right is the aeroplane South Cross, accompanied-by two Bristol bombers, which joined the visitor on the first arrival at Christchurch, and were the last to see the great 'plane as it left Blenheim on Saturday morning last. Below is the Southern Cross making the initial contact with New Zealand at Sockburn after a fast journey,'during which Wellington was the first of the Dominion's cities to get. a glimpse of – ' ; ; the aerial visitor. . ; , . , ■ ( (Evening Post, 15 October 1928)

Back in Australia. Afterwards, Kingsford Smith & Ulm established Australian National Airways from 1929-1933.

(The 'Southern Cross' revisited NZ in 1929 and 1933. Members of the public could go on sightseeing flights for a fee.)

At the top left (from loft to right), Mr. H. A. Litchfield, Lieut. C. P. T. Ulm, Captain Kingsford,Smith, and Mr. T. H. M'Williams, the four airmen...

National Library of New Zealand

Commemorations

On 28 Sept 1928, an inscribed slab was laid at the Wigram Aerodrome to mark the spot where the Southern Cross landed

The slab was later retrieved & stored at the Air Force Museum prior to the land being developed for housing

HISTORIC SPOT (Evening Post, 28 September 1928)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Where The Southern Cross First Touched New Zealand Soil

Sir Henry Wigram officiated at the laying of the slab

The spot was preserved as 'Charles Kingsford Smith Landing Site Memorial' with plan-view outline of the 'Southern Cross'

Where The Southern Cross First Touched New Zealand Soil

Auckland Libraries

Image: View of the Southern Cross (aeroplane) in flight

In 1935, Kingsford Smith sold the 'Southern Cross' to the Commonwealth of Australia, for display in a museum

It is now preserved in a glass hangar memorial on Airport Drive, near the international terminal at Brisbane Airport

View of the Southern Cross (aeroplane) in flight

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A uckldnd and Christchurch '■ Tramways teams which yesterday compiled in the Kohn Shield Rugby match. A uckland (left) were the ivinners and play Wellington Tramways in the final tomorrow. "Evening Post" Photo. This plaque to the memory of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has been presented to the Auckland War Memorial Museum by Sir Ernesl Davis, Mayor of Auckland. It is to be unveiled tomorrow in the presence of Lady Kingsford Smith, (Evening Post, 02 September 1937)

Plaque presented to the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1937 by Sir Ernest Davis, Mayor of Auckland

A uckldnd and Christchurch '■ Tramways teams which yesterday compiled in the Kohn Shield Rugby match. A uckland (left) were the ivinners and play W...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Issued six penny 'Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith' 30th Anniversary of First Tasman Flight stamp

Six-penny stamp "30th Anniversary of First Tasman Flight 1928" was issued in 1958

Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith made further record-breaking flights & was knighted for services to aviation in 1932

Issued six penny 'Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith' 30th Anniversary of First Tasman Flight stamp

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

A 1958 radio documentary recalling the first trans-Tasman flight produced by 1YA, Auckland (29:21 min)

The First Tasman Flight - Kingsford-Smith and the Southern Cross.

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Image: Framed Memorial to Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith

In late 1978, MOTAT was presented with this ‘Southern Cross Memorial’ made by Australian Austin Byrne

He'd toured an exhibition around Australia, NZ (1941) & US, & donated items to National Museum of Australia in 1984

Framed Memorial to Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith

MOTAT

Image: Napier Airport 1989

Replica of the 'Southern Cross' plane built in Australia toured NZ in 1989

HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Regional Airport, NSW acquired it from the South Australia Government in 2010

Napier Airport 1989

Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank

Image: Flight Luggage, Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai

Streets in NZ & the Sydney International Airport were named after Charles Kingsford Smith

Flight Luggage, Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai

Wellington City Libraries

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This DigitalNZ story was compiled in September 2023