“Lands at Port Darwin” — First Flight Commemorative Gold Ten-Dollar Coin

Today, the First Flight Commemorative Gold Ten-Dollar Coin remembers when the young Briton completed her England to Australia flight on May 24, 1930.

From the Washington, DC Evening Star newspaper of May 24, 25 and 26, 1930:

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British Girl Ends Australia Flight

Lands at Port Darwin After 12-Day Journey From London Alone.

By the Associated Press. Port Darwin, North Australia, May 24. —

Miss Amy Johnson, 23-year old British aviatrix, reached this city this afternoon from Atamboea, Timor, after a flight of 400 miles across the Timor Sea.

In so doing she completed in 19 days a flight alone from Croydon, England. She left there May 5, hoping to beat Bert Hinkler’s record of a 15-day flight from island to continent, but bad weather and accidents delayed her in the latter stages of her trip, and she fell behind her schedule after flying two days ahead of it for much of the journey.

A large crowd which had gathered cheered her until they were hoarse.

Government officials were among those greeting the pretty young girl. When the official ceremony was over, they hurried her off in a motor car to Government House, where she will be the guest of the North Australian government during her stay here.

She was very tired, very brown from the sun and quite deaf after the long hours behind the roaring motor of her plane. She said the flight from Timor was uneventful except for a heavy wind which carried her slightly off her course.

Her time was about the same that most other flyers use for the trip. She lost two days en route at Rangoon due to plane injury and another day at Tjomal, near Surabay, when she had to land in a sugar clearing and bamboo spikes tore her wing fabric.

Congratulated by King.

Girl’s England-to-Australia Flight Hailed by British Ruler.

London, May 24 (AP).—King George today sent his hearty congratulations to Miss Amy Johnson, first British woman to fly from England to Australia, in a telegram to the Australian governor general, which said:

“The Queen and I are thankful to know of Miss Johnson’s safe arrival in Australia and heartily congratulate her upon her wonderful and courageous achievement. ’’

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English Aviatrix Ends Long Flight

Australians Give Rousing Welcome to Amy Johnson at Conclusion of Trip.

By the Associated Press. Port Darwin, North Australia, . May 24.—

A slight 23-year-old English girl, dressed in khaki shirt and shorts with a green sun helmet, stepped from a diminutive moth monoplane here today, finishing the last lap of a flight from England to Australia.

The girl, Amy Johnson, made the long and perilous trip in 19 days. She really required 20 flying days, but gained eight hours against English Summer time in the journey eastward.

Browned by the sun and deafened by the roar of her motor, the blond young Briton made a spectacular landing to be greeted by a huge and cheering crowd. The news of her safe arrival was even broadcast by radio.

She was tired but that did not prevent her later attending a civic reception.

Great cheers greeted her as, still clad in her simple flying garb, she stepped forward to respond to speeches of welcome. In a brief talk she proved herself as able an orator as a flyer and she thanked everybody for the “marvelous welcome.”

When enthusiastic Australians continued to address her as “Miss Johnson,” the girl told them:

“Call me Johnnie; that’s the name I am known by in England.”

She was taken in a motor car to Government House, where she will be the guest of the North Australian government while here.

Miss Johnson, the daughter of a hull shipbuilder, left Croydon Field in England May 5 seeking to better the 15-day England-to-Australia record made by Bert Hinkler, veteran English aviator.

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Aviatrix in Australia .

Miss Amy Johnson Reaches Daly Waters on Flight From England.

Sydney, New South Wales Mav 26 (AP).

Miss Amy Johnson, British aviatrix, who Saturday completed a flight from England to Australia arrived at Daly Waters from Port Darwin today after a bumpy but pleasant trip of 320 miles.

She will refuel and take off for Alexandria Station, where she will halt for the night.

Alexandria is without telegraph facilities and her progress will not be reported until she reaches Long Beach, Tuesday night. She is flying here.

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The First Flight Commemorative Gold Ten-Dollar Coin shows with an image of Amy Johnson, circa 1930s.

First Flight Commemorative Gold Ten-Dollar Coin