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Charles Kingsford Smith. By Emma Hassall and Lara Conyers. Brief Biography:.
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Charles Kingsford Smith By Emma Hassall and Lara Conyers
Brief Biography: • Charles Kingsford Smith was born in Hamilton(a suburb of Brisbane), Queensland, in 1897. When he was thirteen, he started at the Sydney Technical College studying mechanics and electrical engineering. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the AlF just like many young Australians.Kingsford Smith was sent to Gallipoli where he fought for a while.Later, he was selected to join Britain’s Royal Flying Corps. After suffering from an injury this ended his military career. He worked briefly as a stunt pilot before returning to Australia.
What Happened to him when he died? Smithy and Tommy Pethybridge trip brought them to India, where they departed the city of Allshabad on their way to Singapore, before the final leg of their journey to Australia. They were recorded as flying over Rangoon(the capital of the country now known as Myanmar) at 1:30am on the 7th of May. Their were theories that he had flown into a rocky peak on a island, which sent the aircraft into the sea somewhere between Rangoon and Singapore. Smithy’s plane never made it to Singapore. The Royal Air Force complete a thorough search of the entire route between Rangoon and Singapore but found no trace of the aircraft. In May 1937, fishermen found its starboard undercarriage leg on the shore of an island south-east of Rangoon.
Was Smithy really the "good bloke" that people think he was? Although Smithy was quite an influential person, he wasn’t the “good bloke” that people thought he was. Because Smithy was known by Australians for his achievements people often didn’t see the other side of him. Smithy was known for being irresponsible in WA when he crashed numerous times in unauthorized fields putting people in danger. He often flew whilst he was drunk known for giving paid joyrides and crashing, putting a lot of people in harms way. Also he often took women for free rides in exchange for sexual favours. He was in need for money that much that he happily accepted the insurance money when his nephew deliberately destroyed it. “He gave his first wife a very rough time- was a bad drinker, never paid debts, and was a womaniser.” “Not a very honourable man.” (A family member of Smith’s first wife) Psychiatrist Ken Craig opinion of Smithy “…irresponsibility as a pilot in WA; his inability to handle money…” So Smithy wasn’t the great guy that everyone thought he was.
What made Smithy such a "legend"? Smithy was famous for being the first person to make an around-the-world flight. He broke the record for flying solo from England to Australia. In 1930, he flew 10, 000 miles by him self. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith has been called the world’s greatest aviator. His record breaking flights and his outstanding flight skills were legendary. His contribution to aviation was an effort of faith and stamina. In 1932, he received his knighthood for his services to aviation and featured on the Australian $20 note and honoured for his achievements. In 1953, Sydney Airport was renamed Kingsford Smith Airportin honour of Charles Kingsford Smith. He also features in the Australia Aviation Hall of Fame. He was known not just in Australia but internationally for his courage, skill, his daring sense of adventure and contribution to aviation.
Credits • Emma- Was Smithy the good bloke everyone thought he was? - What made Smithy such a legend? Lara- Photos and Layout of Powerpoint - What happened when he died?
