In 1928 the Australians Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm were the first to fly across the Pacific from America to Australia. Their plane the Southern Cross is probably best known for this historic flight but between 1928 and 1935 it also crossed the Tasman for the first time, broke the Australia to England record in 12 days 21 hours, and flew numerous times across Australia.

The Southern Cross was a Dutch Fokker fitted with three Wright Whirlwind engines. Smith and Ulm had bought the plane in America in 1927. The instruments were purchased separately and fitted in the plane. Over the next seven years the instruments were replaced as necessary and some of these are now held in the Powerhouse Museum's collection.

This aircraft fuel line is reputed to be one of the defective fuel lines removed after the 1935 Trans-Tasman flight of the Southern Cross. On this trip segment of the exhaust manifold broke away damaging the starboard propeller. The crew and plane were saved by the courageous actions of their navigator P. G. Taylor, who climbed along the wing struts to pour oil into the working port engine.

Geoff Barker, March, 2007

References
Charles Kingsford Smith, The Southern Cross Story, Seal Paperbacks, Herald Press, Australia, 1978
William Joy, The Aviators, Golden Press, Sydney, Australia, 1983
Ellen Rogers, Faith in Australia; Charles Ulm and Australian Aviation, Ellen Rogers, Sydney, Australia, 1987
Leslie Jillet, Wings across the Tasman, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, New Zealand, 1953

The Trans-Tasman flight of the "Southern Cross" took place on the 10th November, 1928.

This aircraft fuel line flexible hose was used in the "Southern Cross", but later replaced because of its faulty operation on the Trans-Tasman flight.

The donor of this object also states that this fuel line, "...is the one that P.G. Taylor (later Sir) went out onto the wing of the aircraft while crossing the Tasman Sea and transferred fuel from the engine".

Aircraft fuel line flexible hose from the 'Southern Cross', brass, maker unknown, United States of America, 1927-1935

Part of an aircraft fuel line flexible hose made of brass. The hose is elongated and cylindrical in shape with a metal woven body and screw component at one end. There is a loose hexagonal nut which moves between the mouth, body and fixed nut at the other end. The exterior of the hose is a dark golden-brown in colour and features some green corrosion, while the interior of the hose features some white corrosion.

Made: United States of America; 1925 - 1928


Used: Kingsford Smith, Charles; Tasman Sea

Used: Taylor, P G; Tasman Sea

There is a fine inscription on the outside of the fixed nut which has been stamped twice, one on top of the other. It reads, 'REG U S. / TITEFLEX / PAT OFF'.

96/282/1

1925 - 1928

50 mm

50 mm