Big adventures — aviator charles kingsford smith - abc listen
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'Smithy' became a national hero in 1928 when he flew his plane, the Southern Cross, across the Pacific: the first person ever to do so. With just two stops to re-fuel, the little
plane was heavily laden with petrol tanks. Conditions in the cabin were cramped and dangerous. Smithy, his co-pilot Charles Ulm and their two crew maintained a sense of humour despite their
nicotine cravings and intense discomfort. As they flew, the progress of the Southern Cross was relayed to keen audiences around the globe. Huge numbers followed the journey via a
world's first radio transmission. Kingsford Smith completed many other daring and skilful flights, and his reputation as one of the world's great aviators was aided by his
tremendous charm. He was however dogged by memories of his service in WW1 and a near-fatal incident from childhood, which led him to suffer dreadful anxiety while flying. Biographer Ann
Blainey has written a new biography, delving more deeply into the man behind the household name. FURTHER INFORMATION _Original broadcast February 2019_ _King of the Air: The turbulent life
of Charles Kingsford Smith_ is published by Black Inc.