The news magazine of the South Pacific · since 1930

Pacific Islands Monthly, 1 March 1999Vol. 69 No. 3

Kingsford Smith

p. 7 · Read in the full issue

I am an ex RNZAF pilot and an ama teur aviation historian, I also worked in Fiji for 3 and a half years 30 years ago with BNZ and lived in Loftus St.

I was always fascinated by the story of Kingsford Smith landing the Southern Cross in Albert Park in the first Pacific crossing in 1928 and the recent book “Smithy” by NZ author lan Mackersey has triggered this enquiry.

Mackersey says Smithy “took off’ for Naselai beach about 3rd June 1928 to fly the last leg to Brisbane. I don’t think this is correct as I think the tri motored a/c was barged to the beach at Naselai.

David Shakes

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