100th Anniversary- First powered flight in Australia

[4Greens]

There was a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, which was headed "No bloomers, but the flight did end up in the drink" by Steve Meacham. In this article on the flights of the George Taylor glider of 5 December 1909 it was stated that " A year later the world-famous escapologist Harry Houdini became the first person ever to fly a powered aircraft in Australia." The Harry Houdini Flight was in March 1910.

The first powered flight in Australia was by Colin Defries in a Wright Model A named Stella at Sydney's Victoria Park racecourse on December 9 1909. There is a monument and plaque to this flight on the site of the racecourse.

There is an excellent article by Ian Debenham Transport Curator of the Power House Museum based on the research of John Scott in the Flightpath magazine Vol 21 no 1.

There is an article by John Scott on the first powered flights in Australia on the Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division website Royal Aeronautical Society - Australian Division - Home .

[MorrisG]

There is also Ian's four episode blog on the Powerhouse Museum's website which excited a rather emotional comment from a Houdini supporter.

[WG99]

I think the SMH may have meant to report "first in Victoria" and not "Australia".
I have been doing serious aviation research for several years and it is upsetting that such an error can be printed, for it is then repeated and finally ends up reading like "history".
I am doing my best to clarify women pilot "firsts in Australia" by writing a book on the first 100 in the first 100 years of Australian aviation. In this way perhaps people will do their own research before claiming a "first" for themselves, trampling on the graves and reputation of true pioneers.
Thanks for pointing this error out.

[Rob M]

Australia's Centenary of Flight News

We are trying to pull together all of the events and articles about Australia's Centenary of Flight and post them on our Lion's web site. Please send me any information that would help.

We are mainly supporting the Houdini flight because it occured in our town but we will also acknowledge other's who flew around that time. The debate helps to complete the picture.

[4Greens]

RobM, Defries flew before that time ie 1909

[Rob M]

Defries Flight

I have heard several claims that Colin Defries was the first to fly but also heard that there are many gaps in the story. Some of which are:

1. There are no photographs of his plane in the air;
2. He may have gotten off the ground but could not control it and crashed;
3. Although the Sydney Morning Herald published an article to support the flight, they later withdrew the statements;
4. The public and government did not accept the flight as adequate and a month later the government asked Harry Houdini to make the flight.

Perhaps it is a matter of defination. The definition that I was told about was that:

• There should be a take off and proper landing;
• There should be control of the flight;
• It should be long enough that it is more than a hop;
• There should be many reliable and consistent witnesses;
• If possible then there should be photographs of the craft in the air.

What also goes in Houdini's favour, was that for 80 years his flight was acknowledged as the first power, controlled flight. This was commemorated on the 25th, 50th, 75th and 80th anniversaries. Unfortunately there are no more living witnesses who could verify one way or the other.
Cheers

[Ross Barkla]

Centenary of Powered Flight in Australia

Thanks 4Greens for your entry.
Rob M can obtain more information from the website Royal Aeronautical Society - Australian Division - Home where there is an article by John Scott covering all the claims for a first powered flight and an article based in the research by John Scott in Pathfinder magazine Vol 21 number 1 August-October 2009 published by Yaffa. Colin Defries made a flight on 9th December 1909, which meets the Royal Aerio Club of Great Britain definition of a flight which states, "Free flight in an aeroplane occurs when the machine, having left the ground is maintained in the air by its own power on a level or upward path for a distance beyond that which gravity and air resistance would sustain it". Defries made a longer flight on 18th December which made an accidental landing and damaged the aircraft, when his hat blew off and he tried to catch it.
It is a pity that the influence on the truth of the written word is so great. There has been no article in the Sydney Morning Herald to rectify the error in the Steve Meacham article and once again the eroneous claim of Houdini being the first is therefore in print for future generations to perpetuate.
The Aviation Historical Society of Australia (NSW) and the Royal Aeronautical Australian Division Sydney Branch held a joint meeting at the Power House Museum on 9th December in celebration of the Centenary and the aviation historian David Craddock gave an excellent lecture on all the early claims to flight in Australia and declared that Defries was the first. David's presentation covered the universally recognised definition of the authories of a flight and the Defries flight complies; there is apparently no requirement to make turns or even to land.
An interesting highlight at the end of the meeting was the Colin Defries charming grand daughter, who lives in Sydney made a short speech and then introduced her father who spoke to the meeting by mobile telphone from Spain, where he now lives, a added a bit about the subsequent life of Colin after he returned to England.
For those who want more information from a person, the best contact would be Ian Debenham the Curator of Transport at the Power House Museum, who could, if necessary, pass them on John Scott or David Craddock.

[Rob M]

In definition

Ross,

Thank you for the perspective and it really is a case of definition. It looks to me that this debate will continue for many years and there is even a hint of interstate rivalry. The Powerhouse news item is already added onto the centenary of flight web site. and I would be pleased to add articles may provide further information about Colin Defries attempt.

It sounds like the 9th December activity went well and the speech must have been good.

Rob

[4Greens]

RobM, your definition of flight would have excluded the Wright Brothers first flight.

[MorrisG]

Gary Sunderland, the well-known aero modeller, adds his view to the debate in the latest journal of the World War One Aero Historians. His view is also that Defries' flight was not an "attempt" but an achievement.

[Rob M]

Centenary of Flight Newsletter #7

We are sending newsletters about the centenary of flight each week and the latest pdf file can be found on this link. Please send me an e-mail if you wish to receive the future updates.

Cheers
Rob

[Harry Houdini]

First Australian Powered Controlled Sustained Flight

Fifteen months ago, interested residents of Diggers Rest and surrounding districts, along with Houdini enthusiasts, formed a series of committees to put together events to commemorate the "First Australian Powered Controlled Sustained Flight of an Aircraft" by Harry Houdini.

The planned events have seen community effort from various organisations and community representatives (including the Diggers Rest Lions Club) with wonderful financial & administrative support from the Melton Shire Council.

Thursday March 18th 2010 kicks off the celebrations at Diggers Rest with the Commemoration Ceremony. Saturday March 20th 2010 will see Melton Airfield host the Houdini - Centenary Air Show from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Details are available at: http://www.centenaryairshow.com

The committee initiative to invite Cosentino & Daryl Braithwaite to perform will, no doubt, be amongst the highlights of Sunday March 21st, 2010.

Along with the many other family oriented events planned we are looking forward to a great day, successfully concluding the three days of honouring Harry Houdini, escapologist and flight pioneer!
_________________________
Harry Handcuff Houdini
http://www.harryhoudini.com.au

[Jimmy Melrose]

The Wright Bros. flight was recognised as a First Flight ,because it was Witnessed & Photograghed . Defries Flight may have been Witnessed ,but no signitures to verify his flight & NO Photographic proof of the Wright Flyer actually in the Air ???
Fred Custance's flight is also discounted ,as being the "FIRST" as there is NO Photographic Proof or Signed Witness (s) to the Flight .
There is NO other Proof of any of these two attempts of Flight ,other than Here say , Harry Houdini's Flight was Witnessed ,Signed ,Photographed & Filmed . ... End of Story ......

"Keep it Straight & Level " Oh & Factual would help as well !!!!!

[Tankengine]

I have few photos of me flying, does that mean I didn't?

[Jimmy Melrose]

First Flight - Harry Houdini

Yes if you have PHOTOGRAPHIC Proof of your Flight ,than it would be Factual ... Unlike Defries & Custance False Claims of Flight ????

It is obvious that no one can disprove Harry Houdini as being the First to fly in Australia & until I see Photos of either Defries or Custance supposed Flight's , Harry wins the award ..

"Keep it Straight & Level " ..... & Truefull as well .

[MorrisG]

Like Tankengine I have few, in fact no, photographs of me flying and no signed witness statements to the fact that I have flown aircraft. (I've lost my log book). But I have nevertheless flown aircraft.

Jimmy, you are right that Custance's 'circling flight' has been found not to have occurred. Fred Jones, the owner of the Bleriot, admitted that it was a "myth". However, Defries' flight was carried out in front of approximately 100 to 150 witnesses and reported as such in the newspapers of the time. Thus, there is a good chance that it actually did happen.

Only one of the Wright brothers' flights was photographed on that day in December, 1903 and that photograph only shows the aircraft leaving the launching rail but that also doesn't mean that that flight and the others didn't happen.

[Jimmy Melrose]

Harry Houdini's First Flight

Hi MorrisG , If SO many people plus News Papers were there on the Day of Defries Supposed Flight ,surely some one would have taken a photo IF the "Stella" got Airbourne ,wouldn't you Think?????

There are others who(m) claim to have beaten the Wright Bros. into the air as well , but Like Defries there is NO PROOF ,So the Wright Bros. get to be the First to Fly ,, Just Like Harry Houdini ,in Australia .

Sorry, NO prizes for 2nd ...

"Keep it Straight & Level" ..... OH! Photos would be nice of Defries as well !!! ... In the Air of Course ,not with his plane on the ground & 4 Swans Flying overhead !!!!!!!

[18-Wheeler]

There are others who(m) claim to have beaten the Wright Bros. into the air as well , but Like Defries there is NO PROOF

If a tree falls in the forest but no-one hears or sees it fall, did the tree fall?

There's been plenty of events in history that have occurred despite the lack of a camera.

[Jimmy Melrose]

Harry Houdini's First Flight

Ah !, Sounds like another "RIG" Steerer ,"Keep on Truckin"
This Maybe So !! My fellow White Line Trucker , but Proof is in the Photos & Houdini had Plenty of them , Unlike Defries ,who's only show's his Plane sitting on the ground & that my dear Boy is not counted as a FLIGHT !!!!

"Keep It Straight & Level " & "The Shiny Side Up "

[4Greens]

There were no photos of Trafalgar but I can assure all of you that Nelson won.