Sir Alan Cobham Survey Flights from Rochester
Sir Alan Cobham was a famous aviation pioneer who pioneered new aircraft concepts and long-distance flight during the interwar years. He undertook the following famous survey flights from the River Medway at Rochester Esplanade using an aircraft fitted with Short Brothers floats and Short Brothers built aircraft.
The purpose of the survey flights was to understand potential routes and landing points that could be used by future commercial air services. Sir Alan Cobham also pioneered air-to-air refuelling using Short Empire Flying boats and operated a “Flying Circus” where his team would visit various locations across Britain undertaking air displays and offering people their first opportunity to fly in an aeroplane.
30 June 1926 – Australia Survey Flight
Departed Rochester in a D.H.50.J Seaplane fitted with Short Brother’s Floats and became the first man to fly to Australia and back, covering a distance of 26,000 miles.
17 June 1927 – Africa Survey Flight
Departed Rochester in a Short Singapore I flying boat and became the first man to fly around Africa and back, covering a distance of 20,000 miles.© Copyright for photos/scrap book entries to Martin Hubbard.
