Formerly H-NADR an F.VIIa. Converted to F.VIIa/3m when chartered by American millionaire Van Lear Black and reg changed because Black had previously used F.VIIa H-NADP (c/n 4990) for a return flight to Batavia. F.VIIa/3m H-NADP (4992) used for an aborted flight to Cape Town in May 1928. Afterwards converted to F.VIIb/3m with a long-span wing, but soon taken apart and essentially converted back to an F.VIIa, PH-AET (c/n KLM 4). Black ordered a new F.VIIb-3m of his own, G-AADZ, which was initially PH-ADP, but was a new airframe (c/n 5105). Photo from: Amsterdam City Archives

Charles Kingsford Smith lands Southern Cross on two engines. Starboard engine shut down when the centre engine exhaust manifold struck the prop (damaged blade pointing down). Port engine then began to run out of oil as -USU headed back to Sydney. Navigator PG (Bill) Taylor climbed out on the struts five times to transfer oil from the dead right engine to the dying left. Taylor awarded George Cross for his bravery. Later pioneered oceanic air routes from Australia to Africa and South America. Smith killed in November 1935. Photo from: Hood Collection/State Library of New South Wales

Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross photographed in a hangar at an unconfirmed location, most likely at Oakland. In three epic flights spread over two years, Southern Cross and Kingsford Smith circumnavigated the globe over Australia. His trans-Pacific flight took off from Oakland in May 1928 and he returned there via London and New York in July 1930. Photographer unknown.

Southern Cross at an unknown location, presumably in California, shortly before starting its record flight from Oakland, CA to Australia. Later became G-AUSU, then VH-USU. Currently displayed at the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial in Brisbane, painted in its original markings as seen here. Photographer unknown.