15 Facts About Bert Hinkler

Bert Hinkler designed and built early aircraft before being the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, completed on 22 February 1928, and the first person to fly solo across the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Bert Hinkler married in 1932 at the age of 39, and died less than a year later after crashing into remote countryside near Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy during a solo flight record attempt.

Bert Hinkler later met Arthur Burr Stone at a travelling show in Bundaberg and again at the Brisbane Exhibition where Hinkler worked with Stone to solve a problem with the "Bleriot", the world's first monoplane.

In 1913, Bert Hinkler went to England where he worked for the Sopwith Aviation Company, the beginning of his career in aviation.

In 1918 Bert Hinkler was posted to No 28 Squadron RAF with which he served as a pilot in Italy.

Bert Hinkler's invention had the ejected shells all flying off to one side instead.

In 1921, Bert Hinkler shipped a tiny Avro Baby to Sydney, Australia.

Bert Hinkler was a pilot of the British Schneider Trophy seaplane competitor.

Bert Hinkler flew the first solo flight between England and Australia, departing England on 7 February 1928 and arriving in Darwin on 22 February; and back in his home town of Bundaberg a few days later on 27 February.

The flight was little noticed before Bert Hinkler reached India but then media interest intensified.

Bert Hinkler was awarded the 1928 Oswald Watt Gold Medal.

Bert Hinkler was awarded his third and fourth Oswald Watt Gold Medals.

Bert Hinkler was survived by both his legal wife Katherine and his de facto wife Nance.

Bert Hinkler is remembered as being thoroughly courageous without being reckless, and was successful in his amazing feats because he was practically faultless as a pilot, and knew exactly what he and his machines could do.

Digitisations of the letters and a 1928 recording of Bert Hinkler's speech are available online.