State Library of South Australia

Papers relating to aviation in South Australia [PRG 1701/7/1-5] • Mixed material

Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber and flown by Harry Butler.

Furlong, John S. B., c. 1915, Mixed material, PRG 1701/7/1

Copy of a black and white photograph of an early Farman style bi-plane built by Carl Wilhelm (Bill) Wittber and tested by South Australian aviator Harry Butler. It was the first aeroplane built and flown in South Australia. Caption on reverse: 'Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber flown at Smithfield, SA in 1915. Harry Butler used to ride his motorcycle around from Minlaton to practise on the 'plane. The authorities stopped all trials and the last flight made at Smithfield was early 1916. Wittber then lost all interest in aviation and burnt the fabric in his bathheater at Dulwich where he lived. Butler finally arrived in England, gained his flying certificate and became an instructor in the R.F.C. Rey Laught 3/12/91. To John Furlong, with compliments'.

Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber and flown by Harry Butler. — Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber and flown by Harry Butler.

Furlong, John S. B., c. 1915, Mixed material, PRG 1701/7/1

Copy of a black and white photograph of an early Farman style bi-plane built by Carl Wilhelm (Bill) Wittber and tested by South Australian aviator Harry Butler. It was the first aeroplane built and flown in South Australia. Caption on reverse: 'Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber flown at Smithfield, SA in 1915. Harry Butler used to ride his motorcycle around from Minlaton to practise on the 'plane. The authorities stopped all trials and the last flight made at Smithfield was early 1916. Wittber then lost all interest in aviation and burnt the fabric in his bathheater at Dulwich where he lived. Butler finally arrived in England, gained his flying certificate and became an instructor in the R.F.C. Rey Laught 3/12/91. To John Furlong, with compliments'.

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Summary

Papers relating to aviation in South Australia comprising: copy of a photograph of the first aircraft built in South Australia, by Carl Wilhelm Wittber; short biography of South Australian aviator Harry Butler; accounts of pioneer life in the South Australian Mallee regions including references to Ross and Keith Smith's England to Australia flight; and a newspaper cutting re the marriage of Australian aviator Charles Kingsford-Smith. See below for details.

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Physical description

Photograph (print)
black and white
Manuscripts
typed
2 volumes, 2 sheets, 1 photograph : 0.5 cm

Dates / Publication details

1915-1989

Creator

Furlong, John S. B

Subject

Wittber, C. W. (Carl Wilhelm), 1879-1970
Butler, Harry, 1889-1924
Kingsford-Smith, Charles, Sir, 1897-1935
Air pilots -- South Australia.
Aeronautics -- South Australia -- Flights.
Airplanes -- South Australia.
England-Australia air race, 1919.

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Additional notes

PRG 1701/7/1: Copy of a black and white photograph of an early Farman style bi-plane built by Carl Wilhelm (Bill) Wittber and tested by South Australian aviator Harry Butler. It was the first aeroplane built and flown in South Australia. Caption on reverse: 'Bi-plane built by C.W. Wittber flown at Smithfield, SA in 1915. Harry Butler used to ride his motorcycle around from Minlaton to practise on the 'plane. The authorities stopped all trials and the last flight made at Smithfield was early 1916. Wittber then lost all interest in aviation and burnt the fabric in his bathheater at Dulwich where he lived. Butler finally arrived in England, gained his flying certificate and became an instructor in the R.F.C. Rey Laught 3/12/91. To John Furlong, with compliments'.

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