At Easter 1903, the world's first powered flight took place at Waitohi, New Zealand, by Richard Pearse. Eight months later, the Wright Brothers made their flight at Kittyhawk, USA.

But the Aussies were a bit slower off the mark, and it wasn't until 9th December 1909 that the first powered flight took place in Australia, at a racecourse in Sydney, by Colin Defries (shown on the 55c stamp of this set of three.) His plane was a modified Wright "Model A" named 'The Stella'.

On 18th March 1910 at Diggers rest, Victoria, the renowned American "escapologist" Harry Houdini made the first of several well-publicised flights in Australia. His aircraft was an imported Voisin, and this features on the $2.10 stamp.

John Duignan was the first Australian to successfully fly an Australian-designed and constructed powered aircraft. On 7th October 1910, Duignan's self-designed biplane flew 180 metres at 64 kph at an altitude of 3.4 metres at his family property at Mia Mia, Victoria. His flight is shown on the $1.45 stamp.

===============

This attractive set was issued by Australia on 9th March 2010. The stamps were designed by Adam Crapp.

Mint unhinged, and in pristine condition.

Add this item to your watchlist.