Harry Frank 'Jim' Broadbent
The dapper Jimmy Broadbent waves with glee from the Vega Gull that bore him to victory in 1938. (Photo: Jimmy Broadbent)
Perfect Forced Landing on Narrabeen Beach
(Extract from Syd's Last Pirate)
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Click on the image (right) to go to the story of the famous forced beach landing at Narrabeen, Sydney in 1944. Jimmy Broadbent was the pilot and Chic was First Officer for that eventful flight.
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Narrabeen Beach Landing
(Extract from We Flew in Burma)
The record breakers were making the once lonely Burma skies a crowded place. They followed each other's bid for the record.
Two such great pilots were to answer to the same nick.name. One was the young James Jimmy Melrose. The other became a dear friend. His name was Harry Frank Jimmy Broadbent.
Melrose, flying a Percival Gull, was over the Bay of Bengal. It was about 3:00 a.m. on November 8. He jumped in alarm.
Another plane, travelling at twice his speed, cut past 200 feet above him. He saw the spurts of exhaust flame tear from view. Possibly, he was the last to see Smithy alive.
Then Melrose was ahead of the England-Australia record. It was within his reach. He threw away his chance. He joined the search.
Melrose came to world notice in the Centenary Air Race. At twenty-one he was the baby of that hardened group. His skill was to push him into second place in the handicap section. His prize money was 1,000 pounds.
Two such great pilots were to answer to the same nick.name. One was the young James Jimmy Melrose. The other became a dear friend. His name was Harry Frank Jimmy Broadbent.
Melrose, flying a Percival Gull, was over the Bay of Bengal. It was about 3:00 a.m. on November 8. He jumped in alarm.
Another plane, travelling at twice his speed, cut past 200 feet above him. He saw the spurts of exhaust flame tear from view. Possibly, he was the last to see Smithy alive.
Then Melrose was ahead of the England-Australia record. It was within his reach. He threw away his chance. He joined the search.
Melrose came to world notice in the Centenary Air Race. At twenty-one he was the baby of that hardened group. His skill was to push him into second place in the handicap section. His prize money was 1,000 pounds.
The papers hung on every move he made. The drama when he was to run out of petrol over the ocean. He glided his plane to a distant Darwin. The city was getting closer and closer. The shark infested Timor Sea was even closer. Would his remaining height carry him to the airfield? We know it did!
The day of October 31, was one of his greatest moments. The people of Melbourne honoured him with a victory parade through their streets. There were hundreds of slim sedate ladies punching and biting. They had cast aside their femininity and stood toe-to-toe battling burly policemen. No power on earth could keep them from their fair haired hero.
The plane that he had flown was a tiny Puss Moth. VH-UQO was her Aussie registration. Painted on her tail pin was her race I.D. 16.
Jimmy Broadbent bought this plane. It kept him safe. He broke many records in it.
I first met Captain Broadbent one stormy midnight. That was the crew checkin time for Ansett's 2:00 a.m. trip to Townsville. Ansett was then under charter to the U.S.A. Service of Supply.
I was to be the famous flyer's co-pilot. The company flew the sleek Lockheed Electra I0B aircraft.
November 21, 1944
Famous Aviaior Capt. Jimmy Broadbent's sabotaged Lockheed Electra 10B VH-UZP on Narrabean Beach, Sydney.
A wet happy Ansett co-pilot 'Chic' Eather stands at the surf line.
(Photo: Nancy Ellis)
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November 21, 1944. Nancy Ellis and friends lend moral support. (Photo: Nancy Ellis)
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Jimmy was a gracious man and good company. Often we were to work together. It was hard to get him to talk of his record flights. Now and again he would do so.
He had a way of telling a story. A fleeting touch with death would come out like a natural event. Talk of his around Australia record would bring a twinkle to his eyes. He had broken the Melrose record in the Melrose plane. He disclosed this with more than a smile.
Most of our Electra flights were just ordinary work. One day all this changed.
We were to share an adventure. It was to catch the attention of the media. They covered it in great detail. The most lurid headline was - Ace Flier Lands Dying Plane on Sydney Beach.
Dawn was just a skip away on November 21,1944. We were well behind schedule. A delicate glow began to work along the eastern horizon. Jimmy ordered wheelsup. After 7 hours of delay we set our course for Townsville. We were to touch at Brisbane and Rockhampton for fuel.
VH-UZP's take-off scream had settled into a sweet gentle hum. Our climb continued. At 5,000 feet our right engine spluttered. We checked the fuel cocks. They were right! Suddenly the engine lost all power. Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River was below. This put us 60 miles north of Sydney.
He turned back for Mascot. I saw a gentle loss of altitude but nothing serious. Now the left engine began to lose power. We could not hold our altitude. We began to drop out of the sky.
His slamming left turn lined us up with Narrabeen Beach. A slight bump and we were down on the wet packed sand. As the plane lost way she gently slew left. She stopped with the surf caressing her nose.
Later, I heard they found sugar in our fuel tanks. Was it sabotage? More than likely! We were flying high ranking American officers.
Jimmy's life revolved around race-horses and aeroplanes. His exploits in the air were great. Better than many more publicised flyers of the era. The same didn't apply to horses.
During the Smithy search, they mistook him for the missing knight. On November 16,1935, a plane had cut just above a rice-farmer. The farmer reported it as low. He said it was 10 miles inland on the west coast of Siam.
This proved to be Jimmy's Percivol Gull. He went on to cut the solo record frorn England to Darwin. His time was six days 21 hours and 15 minutes.
He had a way of telling a story. A fleeting touch with death would come out like a natural event. Talk of his around Australia record would bring a twinkle to his eyes. He had broken the Melrose record in the Melrose plane. He disclosed this with more than a smile.
Most of our Electra flights were just ordinary work. One day all this changed.
We were to share an adventure. It was to catch the attention of the media. They covered it in great detail. The most lurid headline was - Ace Flier Lands Dying Plane on Sydney Beach.
Dawn was just a skip away on November 21,1944. We were well behind schedule. A delicate glow began to work along the eastern horizon. Jimmy ordered wheelsup. After 7 hours of delay we set our course for Townsville. We were to touch at Brisbane and Rockhampton for fuel.
VH-UZP's take-off scream had settled into a sweet gentle hum. Our climb continued. At 5,000 feet our right engine spluttered. We checked the fuel cocks. They were right! Suddenly the engine lost all power. Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River was below. This put us 60 miles north of Sydney.
He turned back for Mascot. I saw a gentle loss of altitude but nothing serious. Now the left engine began to lose power. We could not hold our altitude. We began to drop out of the sky.
His slamming left turn lined us up with Narrabeen Beach. A slight bump and we were down on the wet packed sand. As the plane lost way she gently slew left. She stopped with the surf caressing her nose.
Later, I heard they found sugar in our fuel tanks. Was it sabotage? More than likely! We were flying high ranking American officers.
Jimmy's life revolved around race-horses and aeroplanes. His exploits in the air were great. Better than many more publicised flyers of the era. The same didn't apply to horses.
During the Smithy search, they mistook him for the missing knight. On November 16,1935, a plane had cut just above a rice-farmer. The farmer reported it as low. He said it was 10 miles inland on the west coast of Siam.
This proved to be Jimmy's Percivol Gull. He went on to cut the solo record frorn England to Darwin. His time was six days 21 hours and 15 minutes.
In 1940, Jimmy Broadbent joined the RAF Transport Command. He flew bombers from Canada to the British Isles. He brought each priceless plane
through without a scratch.
On November 9, 1958, he was in command of a Martin Mariner flying-boat. CS-THB belonged to the Portuguese company AeroTopografica. His route was Lisbon to Madeira.
Soon after midnight there was a dramatic radio message. He was landing in the open sea. They heard nothing from him again. At 48 years of age his luck had run out. Another unsolved air mystery was born.
At his death he still held the around-Australia record. It was from Adelaide, moving clockwise, and return to Adelaide. It covered from May 16 to May 19, 1935. The 7,140 mlle trip was to take 3 days 9 hours and 54 minutes.
The record was to stand for almost half a century. Peter H. Norvill and co-pilot Timothy J. Holland would cut it in 1984.
through without a scratch.
On November 9, 1958, he was in command of a Martin Mariner flying-boat. CS-THB belonged to the Portuguese company AeroTopografica. His route was Lisbon to Madeira.
Soon after midnight there was a dramatic radio message. He was landing in the open sea. They heard nothing from him again. At 48 years of age his luck had run out. Another unsolved air mystery was born.
At his death he still held the around-Australia record. It was from Adelaide, moving clockwise, and return to Adelaide. It covered from May 16 to May 19, 1935. The 7,140 mlle trip was to take 3 days 9 hours and 54 minutes.
The record was to stand for almost half a century. Peter H. Norvill and co-pilot Timothy J. Holland would cut it in 1984.
Jimmy Broadbent
Circumnavigation of Australia 31 August 1931
Record Solo Flight
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Jimmy Broadbent
(Extract from Syd's Last Pirate)
Jimmy Broadbent was an astonishing character and one of the gentlest gentlemen one could meet. He was mild to embarrassing degree, yet his intuition and natural flying skill kept him ahead aeronautical problems. My first recollection of his prowess dates from 29 March 1931 when he departed from Hanworth, England in City of Sydney, a Blackburn Bluebird IV registered G-ABJA. He had his sights set on Australia, but a forced landing in Turkey ended his attempt.
On 12 August 1931 he left Archerfield in Brisbane at 00:55 hours, made technical landings at Sydney, and Melbourne and switched off in Adelaide at 18:00 hours. This flight totaled 16 hours and 15 minutes and was the first time that four Australian capital cities were linked by air in a single day.
He set off from Sydney on 31 August 1931 in an Avro Avian Sports biplane registered VH-UQE that was affectionately dubbed Dabs. After an elapsed time of 7 days 8 hours and 15 minutes - a flying time of 83 hours 35 minutes - he had landed at Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville, Burnette Downs, Darwin, Wyndham, Broome, Port Headland, Carnarvon, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Forrest, Cook, Adelaide, Nhill, Melbourne and Sydney. He had beaten the 1927 record of 11 days set by Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. Jimmy Broadbent’s feat was even more creditable as he did it solo.
On 12 August 1931 he left Archerfield in Brisbane at 00:55 hours, made technical landings at Sydney, and Melbourne and switched off in Adelaide at 18:00 hours. This flight totaled 16 hours and 15 minutes and was the first time that four Australian capital cities were linked by air in a single day.
He set off from Sydney on 31 August 1931 in an Avro Avian Sports biplane registered VH-UQE that was affectionately dubbed Dabs. After an elapsed time of 7 days 8 hours and 15 minutes - a flying time of 83 hours 35 minutes - he had landed at Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville, Burnette Downs, Darwin, Wyndham, Broome, Port Headland, Carnarvon, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Forrest, Cook, Adelaide, Nhill, Melbourne and Sydney. He had beaten the 1927 record of 11 days set by Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. Jimmy Broadbent’s feat was even more creditable as he did it solo.
DH 85 Leopard VH-AHB captures Broadbent the Australia – England record held by H.L. Brook.
Between 16 and 19 May 1935 he made a record flight round Australia in an elapsed time of three days 54 minutes. In that year press despatches kept his name before a public who vicariously lived every deed of the era’s magnificent men and women in their flying machines.
Then he bought Jimmy Melrose’s DH-Puss Moth named My Hildergarde after his beloved mother. The previous year Melrose had completed a solo flight from England in eight days and nine hours.
Jimmy Broadbent used the Puss to attack the Australia to England record, and on 15 October 1935 he had established a comfortable edge on the record when a heavy landing at Basra put an end to his attempt. A locally based RAF officer bought the wreck, Broadbent completing the trip to London on a regular airmail service.
Then he bought Jimmy Melrose’s DH-Puss Moth named My Hildergarde after his beloved mother. The previous year Melrose had completed a solo flight from England in eight days and nine hours.
Jimmy Broadbent used the Puss to attack the Australia to England record, and on 15 October 1935 he had established a comfortable edge on the record when a heavy landing at Basra put an end to his attempt. A locally based RAF officer bought the wreck, Broadbent completing the trip to London on a regular airmail service.
Cootamundra VH-URV- a DH-Dragon.
In November 1935 flying a Percival Gull registered VH-UVA, he established a solo record from England, landing in Darwin 6 days, 21 hours and 15 minutes after departing the Old Dart. In January 1936, Jimmy and wife Beryl combined their flying talents and crossed Australia from Sydney to Perth and back.
The press of 12 March 1936 noted his appointment as chief pilot of Butler Air Transport (BAT) who operated the Charleville - Cootamundra link of the Empire Mail Service with DH-84 Dragons. One machine carried the registration VH-URV and the proud name of Cootamundra.
In 1937 he flew a DH-85 Leopard registered VH-AHB from Australia to England in 6 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes, wresting the record from H.L. Brook. However, attempting the return flight his luck deserted him and he cracked up at Baghdad.
H.L Brook had become known when he competed in the Great Air Race of 1934 that celebrated the Centenary of Victoria. The race started at Mildenhall, England and terminated above the Flemington Race Course in Melbourne. In March 1935, flying his unplaced Miles Falcon (G-ACTM), he captured the Australia – England record in 7 days 8 hours.
Throughout the latter years of the thirties the record-breaking musical chairs continued on a regular basis. In 1936 the talented flier Jean Batten held the records of both the England -Australia and Australia - England directions, and made history when she flew England to New Zealand, especially as she did it solo. The Australian pioneer airwoman Mrs Harry (Lores) Bonney made an indelible name for herself with record flights around Australia, to England and South Africa.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
The press of 12 March 1936 noted his appointment as chief pilot of Butler Air Transport (BAT) who operated the Charleville - Cootamundra link of the Empire Mail Service with DH-84 Dragons. One machine carried the registration VH-URV and the proud name of Cootamundra.
In 1937 he flew a DH-85 Leopard registered VH-AHB from Australia to England in 6 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes, wresting the record from H.L. Brook. However, attempting the return flight his luck deserted him and he cracked up at Baghdad.
H.L Brook had become known when he competed in the Great Air Race of 1934 that celebrated the Centenary of Victoria. The race started at Mildenhall, England and terminated above the Flemington Race Course in Melbourne. In March 1935, flying his unplaced Miles Falcon (G-ACTM), he captured the Australia – England record in 7 days 8 hours.
Throughout the latter years of the thirties the record-breaking musical chairs continued on a regular basis. In 1936 the talented flier Jean Batten held the records of both the England -Australia and Australia - England directions, and made history when she flew England to New Zealand, especially as she did it solo. The Australian pioneer airwoman Mrs Harry (Lores) Bonney made an indelible name for herself with record flights around Australia, to England and South Africa.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
Charles James Melrose (1913-1936) died when the wing of his Heston Phoenix separated in severe turbulence. (Photo: RAC of NSW)
In 1937 he flew a DH-85 Leopard registered VH-AHB from Australia to England in 6 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes, wresting the record from H.L. Brook. However, attempting the return flight his luck deserted him and he cracked up at Baghdad.
H.L Brook had become known when he competed in the Great Air Race of 1934 that celebrated the Centenary of Victoria. The race started at Mildenhall, England and terminated above the Flemington Race Course in Melbourne. In March 1935, flying his unplaced Miles Falcon (G-ACTM), he captured the Australia – England record in 7 days 8 hours.
Throughout the latter years of the thirties the record-breaking musical chairs continued on a regular basis. In 1936 the talented flier Jean Batten held the records of both the England -Australia and Australia - England directions, and made history when she flew England to New Zealand, especially as she did it solo. The Australian pioneer airwoman Mrs Harry (Lores) Bonney made an indelible name for herself with record flights around Australia, to England and South Africa.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
H.L Brook had become known when he competed in the Great Air Race of 1934 that celebrated the Centenary of Victoria. The race started at Mildenhall, England and terminated above the Flemington Race Course in Melbourne. In March 1935, flying his unplaced Miles Falcon (G-ACTM), he captured the Australia – England record in 7 days 8 hours.
Throughout the latter years of the thirties the record-breaking musical chairs continued on a regular basis. In 1936 the talented flier Jean Batten held the records of both the England -Australia and Australia - England directions, and made history when she flew England to New Zealand, especially as she did it solo. The Australian pioneer airwoman Mrs Harry (Lores) Bonney made an indelible name for herself with record flights around Australia, to England and South Africa.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
1936 - Bourke, N.SW.
Captain H.F. Broadbent & D.H. 84 Dragon 'Cootamundra'
VH-URV. Aviatrix Nancy Bird snaps a dapper Jimmy on a
humid outback day.
(Photo: Jimmy Broadbent)
Throughout the latter years of the thirties the record-breaking musical chairs continued on a regular basis. In 1936 the talented flier Jean Batten held the records of both the England -Australia and Australia - England directions, and made history when she flew England to New Zealand, especially as she did it solo. The Australian pioneer airwoman Mrs Harry (Lores) Bonney made an indelible name for herself with record flights around Australia, to England and South Africa.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
In 1938 Jimmy Broadbent left England again on the trail of the record to Australia. It proved a false start for his Percival Vega Gull (Percival Aircraft Company was now controlled by Hunting Aircraft Ltd.) experienced mechanical problems and he decided the island of Flores would be a pleasant spot to take a breather. Adjustments prevented him from establishing a record, but he went on to Australia. The plane benefited from her holiday and later helped him retake the record from Australia-England in 5 days 4 hours. She had excelled herself, as it was the fastest solo time in either direction.
The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
The gifted aviatrixJean Batten and her Percival Gull Six registered G-ADPR. At one time she held the record of less than six days for each direction (Photo : RAC of NSW)
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DH 85 Leopard VH-AHB captures Broadbent the AUstralia-England record held by H.L.Brook. (Photo: RAC of NSW)
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The ever-restless Jimmy Broadbent joined QANTAS, commanding Empire flying boats. In 1940, with RAF Transport Command he ferried various types of aircraft from Canada to the British Isles.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
In 1944 I sat in admiring rapture as he wheeled our powerless Lockheed Electra onto the wet packed sand of a Sydney popular beach knowing I was sharing the flight deck with a master pilot.
This splendid sketch of Jimmy Broadbent accompanied an article in the Sunday Telegraph of 15 June 1947. The article concerned a domestic problem. It described Jimmy as the lessee and licensee of the Royal Hotel, Gundagai (of the dog and tucker box fame). His temporary address was the Royal Hotel, Randwick, to supervise the training of his racehorses.
(From Chic's book Syd's Last Pirate)
On 9 November 1958 my friend Jimmy Broadbent went to his Maker. He left Lisbon for Madeira Commanding Porto Santo, a Martin Mariner registered CS-THB and owned by Aero Topografica of Portugal. Aboard were 30 passengers and a crew of six. The flying boat radioed dramatically that it was landing in the open sea about an hour out of Lisbon. No further messages were copied.
The next morning, an American air-sea rescue plane reported hearing a distress signal from the last known position of the missing Portuguese flying boat. The Neptune’s second pilot logged the message at 0940 GMT as faint garbled and unreadable. At that time the Neptune recorded its position 180 miles west of Cape St. Vincent on the southern tip of Portugal. The sea conditions were dangerous and treacherous.
For several days sweeps were made of the area, but no further trace was found of the missing Mariner. At 48 years of age Jimmy’s luck had deserted him and another air mystery joined the long list of those unsolved.
On 9 November 1958 my friend Jimmy Broadbent went to his Maker. He left Lisbon for Madeira Commanding Porto Santo, a Martin Mariner registered CS-THB and owned by Aero Topografica of Portugal. Aboard were 30 passengers and a crew of six. The flying boat radioed dramatically that it was landing in the open sea about an hour out of Lisbon. No further messages were copied.
The next morning, an American air-sea rescue plane reported hearing a distress signal from the last known position of the missing Portuguese flying boat. The Neptune’s second pilot logged the message at 0940 GMT as faint garbled and unreadable. At that time the Neptune recorded its position 180 miles west of Cape St. Vincent on the southern tip of Portugal. The sea conditions were dangerous and treacherous.
For several days sweeps were made of the area, but no further trace was found of the missing Mariner. At 48 years of age Jimmy’s luck had deserted him and another air mystery joined the long list of those unsolved.
Extract from Aquila to Madeira - The Story of Flying Boats to Funchal
by Norman Hull
Extract from Aquila to Madeira - The Story of Flying Boats to Funchal
by Norman Hull
Extract from Aquila to Madeira - The Story of Flying Boats to Funchal
by Norman Hull
Extract from Aquila to Madeira - The Story of Flying Boats to Funchal
by Norman Hull
Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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Extract from Fabulous Flying Boats - A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats By Leslie Dawson
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