This flown cover was one of the last air mail covers flown by Smithy. It comes from the collection of Phil Vabre who has catalogued it thus: Cover flown on Kingsford
Smith's last flight, an England-Australia record attempt in Lockheed
Altair G-ADUS "Lady Southern Cross". The flight was abandoned at Brindisi
after encountering violent storms over the Adriatic which damaged
the aircraft. Aircraft and crew returned to England 24 Oct and set
out again on November 6. The mails were re-posted but did not reach
the aircraft in time and so were left behind. Kingsford Smith, mechanic
Tommy Pethybridge and the "Lady Southern Cross" were subsequently
lost without trace off the Burma coast. Cover first postmarked on
2d red KGV at Darwin 3OC35 before being taken to London (addressed
to Smithy there) by Beau Sheil (Smithy's PA) by KLM and Imperial Airways.
Cover again posted to Smithy in London c/o Vacuum Oil Co, postmarked
London SW1 6.15PM 18OCT 1935 on perforated 1 1/2d brown KGV. Readdressed
to Smithy at the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney for the flight out.
For the second attempt, cover posted again addressed to Smithy c/o
the Post Office at Hythe, postmarked London ? 6.15PM 5 NO 35, again
on perf 1 1/2d brown KGV. Backstamped on arrival at Hythe 9-AM 6 NO
35. Includes a large red cachet on reverse giving an outline of the
story, numbering the cover 17 of 49, and signed by Beau Sheil. Eu
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