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Australia's first plane turns 100

This weekend is the centenary of the first Australian aircraft, built and piloted by John Duigan in 1910.

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Source: SBS


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A largely unrecognised piece of Australian history is set to be re-discovered this weekend.

Aviation enthusiasts will reflect on the centenary of the first Australian aircraft, built and piloted by John Duigan.

Gwynne Duigan, 91, found the glare of the cameras a touch daunting for, but couldn't contain her smiles, or her pride for her great uncle.

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"We always felt that John's achievement wasn't honoured enough, well people in Australia knew about the Wrights, they didn't know about John Duigan," she told SBS.

The humble, cotton covered mountain ash frame of John Duigan's creation now sits annonymously in a Melbourne warehouse.

A century ago, powered by a 25-horse power motor, it reached speeds of 80-kilometres and hour, and heights of almost 300-metres.

But it's legacy extends far beyond speed and altitude.

"The genesis of all the aviation history in Australia stems from this aeroplane, it's the start of the Australian manufacturing history," said aviation historian David Crotty.

"It actually contains all the essential elements of flight, proper control system, it has a good strong light air frame, it has a good liitle engine and it actually flew successfully, it really worked," he said.

"They even did tests like putting sand bags on the wings, to test how strong they were, so he didn't take risks or the risks he took were very well calculated."

The first Australian built and flown plane was tested largely in and around creek beds of central Victoria.

Aviation enthusiasts will re-create the event this weekend, albeit with a replica, but this time Duigan's work will be duly recognised.

But for Gwynne Duigan, her great Uncle's feats can't be underestimated.

"(He was) very brave, I mean you just think of getting into that plane today and flying today! I mean I wouldn't, I'd be terrified!" she said.

The plane will return to public display next month.


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