Fords and Flying Machines: The Diary of Jack McLaren, Longreach 1919-1921: My Australian Story by Patricia Bernard

Book Description

Secondhand. Good condition. Some wear to book corners and edges. Previous owner has inscribed inside page.

Jack McLaren accompanies Hudson Fysh and Paul McGuiness on their historic 2,170-kilometre trek from Longreach, Queensland to Katherine in the Northern Territory. They are surveying the country for a suitable landing field for what they hope will be an England-to-Australia flight.

Travelling overland in a model T Ford, the trio leave petrol at places where they expect the plane to land, and endure sand storms, boggings, breakdowns, forty-one punctures, three bent axles, and a 112-kilometre walk for help. It is on this journey that Fysh and McGuiness conceive of Australia's first air service.