Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith - Smitty - is a legendary Australian aviator. His record breaking flights between 1927 and 1935 earned him legendary status to all Australians, and indeed the world. His worldwide fame came on 31 May 1928 when he made the first successful trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. Later that same year, in August, he made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, from Melbourne to Perth. H was also the first to fly between Australia and New Zealand. And as if that weren't enough he also made a record-breaking flight from Australia to London, in just 10.5 days.
In the early hours of 8 November 1935 the Lady Southern Cross, piloted by Kingsford Smith and his co-pilot, John Thompson, was seen flying into a storm on route to Singapore from India. This was the last ever sighting of the great aviator.
In 1931 the Post Office released a set of three stamps to honour the great flyer. The design of this stamp featured Kingsford Smith's now famous plane, the tri-motor Fokker F.VIIb/3m, Southern Cross, in flight above the eastern and western hemispheres. The badge of the Royal Australian Air Force can be seen behind the word 'AUSTRALIA'. This stunning stamp was designed and engraved by the very talented F.D. Manley.
In the early hours of 8 November 1935 the Lady Southern Cross, piloted by Kingsford Smith and his co-pilot, John Thompson, was seen flying into a storm on route to Singapore from India. This was the last ever sighting of the great aviator.
"Eighteen months later, Burmese fishermen found an undercarriage leg and wheel (with its tyre still inflated) which had been washed ashore at Aye Island in the Gulf of Martaban, 3 km (2 mi) off the southeast coastline of Burma, some 137 km (85 mi) south of Mottama (formerly known as Martaban). Lockheed confirmed the undercarriage leg to be from the Lady Southern Cross. Botanists who examined the weeds clinging to the undercarriage leg estimated that the aircraft itself lies not far from the island at a depth of approximately 15 fathoms (90 ft; 27 m). The undercarriage leg is now on public display at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia." (Wikipedia)
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In 1931 the Post Office released a set of three stamps to honour the great flyer. The design of this stamp featured Kingsford Smith's now famous plane, the tri-motor Fokker F.VIIb/3m, Southern Cross, in flight above the eastern and western hemispheres. The badge of the Royal Australian Air Force can be seen behind the word 'AUSTRALIA'. This stunning stamp was designed and engraved by the very talented F.D. Manley.
The issue came in three denominations. 2d, 3d, and 6d which was used for airmail. I'll detail more on the 6d, which went through some changes, later.
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A small quantity of the 2d and 3d stamps were overprinted 'OS'. This was the first time commemoratives were overprinted for official use instead of being punctured.
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Although a stamp inscribed 'Airmail' was released on 19 March 1931, it was part of a commemorative series (Kingsford Smith) so its availability was limited.
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In May 1931, the Post Office decided to continue the 6d Air Mail stamp in the same design as the Commemorative, albeit with some alterations. The inscription 'Kingsford Smith's World Flights' was removed from the stamp and was replaced with the words 'Air Mail Service'. And the colour was changed to sepia. The stamp was issued on 4 November 1931.
Later in November, some quantities of the stamp were taken and overprinted 'OS'. They were released on 17 November and, unlike other 'OS' stamps which were for official use, these overprints were available for purchase by the public.
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