2019 $1 Privy mark Airco DH-9 G-EAQM & Vickers Vimy G-EAOU PNC Pair

Centenary of the first flight - England to Australia

In early 1919, the government issued an official statement announcing the offer of £10,000 for the first Australian to fly from England to Australia within 30 days.

The Great Air Race, as it became known, would entail a flight of almost 18,000 kilometres, when the longest flight, completed in December 1918, was just over 5,000 kilometres from Cairo to Calcutta. The planes of the era were also very basic by modern standards, constructed from wire, fabric and wood.

Six crews qualified to enter the race. All were experienced airmen and World War I veterans. Only two crews completed the journey, four aviators perished during their attempt. So, when highly decorated pilot Captain Ross Smith, his brother Lieutenant Keith Smith (co-pilot and navigator), and mechanics Sergeants Walter Shiers and James Bennett, landed their Vickers Vimy twin-engine bi-plane at Fannie Bay airfield, Darwin, on 10 December 1919, the event was met with national and international excitement and acclaim. Carried on board the record-setting flight was the first overseas airmail to reach Australia.

Low mintage PNCs released by the Royal Australian Mint - ONLY 7,000 of the $1 privy marked coins made!!!

Includes:

• 2019 $1 Airco DH9, G-EAQM PNC

• 2019 PNC Vickers Vimy G-EAOU