Sir Hubert Wilkins - Australian Pioneer Polar Explorer, Cinematographer, Aviator, and Humanitarian Environmentalist (1919 England-Australia Air Race)

When he returned to England from Gallipoli, Wilkins learnt that the Australian government had offered 10,000 pounds for the first All-Australian crew to fly an aeroplane from England to Australia. The Blackburn Aircraft Company, which had developed a long range bomber during the war, had entered one of their planes. Wilkins was appointed navigator.
Wilkins replaced the Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith in the England Australia Air Race, but the Blackburn Kangaroo plane crashed with mechanical problems in Crete. (Copyright: Ohio State University)	With the other members of the crew, the Blackburn Kangaroo left England on 21 November 1919. Problems were experienced with the engines and the plane was forced down over France. Repairs were made and the flight continued, but eventually, still with engine problems, the plane crashed landed in Crete.