Photograph of Jean Batten taken at R.A.F. Fairford in Gloucestershire, August 1970

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1970

Overview

Colour photograph of pioneering New Zealand aviatrix, Jean Batten, waving from inside the cockpit of a Concorde jet at R.A.F. Fairfield on 20 August 1970.
She is wearing a sleeveless white dress with dark decorative edging and a soft white hat or beret. She is smiling broadly.
Across the bottom of the photograph is a dedication from Jean Batten to the Royal Aero Club of N.S.W. written in blue felt pen.
The reverse of the photograph has a further dedication from Jean Batten written in blue pen, and a black ink 'Royal Aero Club of N.S.W.' stamp.

Historical information

Concorde 002 landed at R.A.F. Fairford in Gloucestershire on August 14, 1970, after a successful test flight that involved breaking the sound barrier. R.A.F. Fairford served as a primary flight test centre for the Concorde aircraft and was a significant location during its development.
Jean Batten, as a highly respected pioneer aviatrix, was presumably allowed access to the Concorde aircraft and had her photograph taken from the inside of the aircraft, much to her delight.
She must have had copies of the photograph which she gave to others including the Royal Aero Club of N.S.W. as a souvenir of her visit and experience.
It is interesting that she has indicated a desire to fly the Concorde at age 61, several decades after completing her final flying record attempt.

This photograph came from the collection of the Royal Aero Club of N.S.W. It may have been presented to them on the same day that the black and white photograph of her kissing her portrait was taken.

An article describing Jean Batten's record breaking flights is attached as a supplementary link.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00707

Item type

Themes

Material

Photographic Materials

Width

145 mm

Height or length

100 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front of photograph:

"To the Royal Aero Club of N.S.W
Greetings and Good wishes from Jean Batten & Concorde
Xmas 1970"

On reverse of photograph:

"Taken on my visit to Fairford to
see Concorde 002 August 20. 1970.
In a few years time I hope to fly
out to Sydney one morning at
1350 mph in Concoirde and lunch
with you again at Bankstown.
JB.
Good luck and happy landings
to all members."

"ROYAL AERO CLUB OF N.S.W."

Keywords

Royal Air Force (RAF)

Souvenirs

Autographs

History - Social

Place made

Australia