Amy Johnson flew out of a typing pool and into the hearts of millions when she became the first woman to fly from Britain to Australia in 1930.
We continue the countdown to Qantas’ record-breaking flight from Perth, Australia to London with a look at a woman who did it all – and some!
Flying a single engine DH-60 Gipsy Moth she left Croydon, just south of London, on May 4 and after 18,000km landed in Darwin on May 24.
Miss Johnson, who was born in Britain in 1903, was a star and the adulation she attracted was well and truly to the fore in Perth, Australia, when she arrived on July 5, 1930, on a tour of Australia to celebrate her record-breaking flight.
The Sunday Times recorded with some dismay the reaction of the crowd trying to touch or at least get a glimpse of the aviatrix with movie star looks.
Read: Chasing the Double Sunrise
After Miss Johnson’s arrival at Maylands Aerodrome at 12.30pm on July 5, she was taken by motorcade to the Savoy Hotel in Perth.
However, recorded the Sunday Times, “owing to the last-minute change of plans with regard to her entry into the city, there were frenzied scenes in central Hay Street as the dense mass of people surged forward to catch fleeting glimpses of the air heroine”.
The newspaper reported: “For the unseemly disturbance in front of the Savoy Hotel those responsible for the young woman’s movements in Perth yesterday are deserving of censure.”
Problem was, reported the Sunday Times, it was announced that there would not be any procession through the city but that did not stop thousands congregating on the most “natural route to the hotel where Miss Johnson is staying”. However, the car conveying Miss Johnson went another route.
The Sunday Times said “the crowd in Barrack Street north of the Town Hall, realizing the change at the last moment, excitedly tried to crowd into central Hay Street, where a disgraceful scene of struggling men, women and children mingled with moving motor cars was witnessed.
“When Miss Johnson endeavored to alight from her car the excited crowd surged forward.
“It was all that a strong squad of policemen could do to prevent her from being overwhelmed by the people.
“Pushing and pulling one another, yelling men and women pressed forward, some even trying to touch Miss Johnson.
“It was a wonder that someone was not badly hurt.”
Once safely inside the hotel, Miss Johnson proceeded to the balcony to wave to the crowd below.
“Cheering and gesticulating wildly, the whole street of humanity seeming to sway back, the Sunday Times reported.
Miss Johnson toured Perth, was made a life member of the Subiaco Aero Club, had lunch at Government House and the Royal Perth Yacht Club took her on a river cruise.
After her first record-breaking fligh,t Miss Johnson would go on to claim two more records: London to Tokyo in 1931, then twice between London and Cape Town, both in 1932, reclaiming that record again in 1936.
Miss Johnson married and later divorced fellow aviator Jim Mollison. They flew together for several flights including Wales to the US and the London to Australia Air Race in 1934.
In World War II, Miss Johnson flew for the Air Transport Auxiliary, flying planes from war factories to airbases.
She drowned in 1941 aged 37, while attempting to deliver a plane in bad weather.
She baled out over the Thames but her body was never recovered. Her fate is one of the most enduring mysteries in aviation history.
