Article about Jean Batten's life and aviation achievements written by Alec Wignall for the 'Aerotime' website
Framed autograph of aviatrix Jean Batten
1939Framed section of brown paper on which the dated autograph of pioneer aviatrix, Jean Batten. is written in black ink. At the top left is what appears to be a postage stamp also featuring Jean Batten's autograph on a greyscale portrait of her. However, there are no details of country of issue or denomination, which may indicate that it was not for postal use.
In the portrait, Jean Batten is wearing a pale coloured flying helmet and has her flying goggles perched on her forehead.
The outside of the frame is black painted timber and the frame is glazed. The reverse of the frame is covered with brown paper which has detached from the card backing.
Jean Batten (15 September 1909 – 22 November 1982) was a pioneering New Zealand aviatrix renowned for her daring solo flights in the 1930s.
After failing twice, she successfully completed the first solo flight by a woman from England to Australia in her Gipsy Moth biplane in 1934, setting a new women's record. She flew the same aircraft back to England, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia and back.
In 1935, she became the first woman to fly solo across the South Atlantic, flying from England to Brazil and breaking James Mollison's records for the route. Pioneer Scottish aviator Jim Mollison was the husband of another famous aviatrix, Amy Johnson.
In 1936, she made history with the first solo flight from England to New Zealand, a record that stood for 44 years. She set a new solo record for the Australia to England flight in 1937, simultaneously holding records for both directions of the route.
She retired from long-distance flying after her 1937 flight.
She was a celebrated international hero, but after World War Two, she withdrew from public life and died in relative obscurity in Spain.
An article describing Jean Batten's record breaking flights is attached as a supplementary link.
Details
Details
"Jean Batten
10.1.39"
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