The Vickers Vimy Exhibition at Adelaide Airport commemorates the first official flight from England to Australia – the Air Race of 1919 with Adelaide brothers Ross and Keith Smith. The restored Vickers Vimy converted bomber (Registration G-EAOU) flown by the famous aviators, is housed inside the terminal for public display.
The epic long-distance flight was made 16 years after the Wright Brothers flew the first-ever powered aircraft.
The Vimy crew set out from Hounslow, London on November 12, 1919. They reached Darwin 28 days later to claim the £10,000 Commonwealth Government prize as the first Australians to fly from England to Australia in less than 30 days. The Smith Brothers were knighted by His Majesty, George V, on December 22, 1919. Sir Ross was born at Semaphore and Sir Keith in North Adelaide.
Mechanics Sergeant J. M. Bennett of St Kilda, Victoria, and Sergeant Wally Shiers of Stepney, SA were flying with the Smith Brothers on their epic journey. Both mechanics received bars to their Air Force medals and were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Adelaide Airport, the South Australian Government and the Australian Government have worked together to continue the legacy of this historic aircraft.
Adelaide Airport welcomes you to the Vickers Vimy Exhibition. It encourages you to learn and be inspired by the feat of the Vickers Vimy and these four remarkable men.
Adelaide Airport
8am – 8pm daily, 7 days a week every day of the year
Free entry
