The Airman and the Light Tower
The statue of Sir Ross Smith, commemorates the first aeroplane flight from England to Australia. Smith`s flight from England to Australia in 1919 was a symbolic challenge to the perceived isolation of Australia from the rest of the world. It was the first such flight in less than 30 days, and was in response to a 10,000 pound prize offered by the South Australian Government. Sir Ross Smith tragically died in 1922 in a plane crash in England while testing an aircraft for a planned around the world flight. Following his death the public was quick to donate to a “shilling fund”, opened by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, to provide a fitting memorial.
The Airman and the Light Tower
The statue of Sir Ross Smith, commemorates the first aeroplane flight from England to Australia. Smith`s flight from England to Australia in 1919 was a symbolic challenge to the perceived isolation of Australia from the rest of the world. It was the first such flight in less than 30 days, and was in response to a 10,000 pound prize offered by the South Australian Government. Sir Ross Smith tragically died in 1922 in a plane crash in England while testing an aircraft for a planned around the world flight. Following his death the public was quick to donate to a “shilling fund”, opened by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, to provide a fitting memorial.