Australian Aviator

by Sir Norman Brearley

Rigby, 1971, [First Edition], ISBN 0851792278, black and white photographic plates, illustrated endpapers (maps), hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, institute stamp to half title page, tape residue on endpapers, dustjacket shows a little edge and shelf wear with a little rubbing, bumping, chipping and crumpling (see photographs)

“Young Norman Brearley was an engineering apprentice in the fledgling days of aviation, and when the first World War broke out it was his chance to learn to fly.  He worked his way from Australia to London to join the Royal Flying Corps, and soon found that he had a flair for flying.  By June 1915 he was patrolling over the Western Front, and after various adventures was shot down and badly wounded by a German pilot who was determined to kill him.
But wartime flying was only the prelude to his main achievement; that of founding Australia’s first airline.  Before leaving England he bought two war-surplus aircraft, which he used to introduce commercial flying to Western Australia, and in 1921 he won the first air mail contract.”