Signed portrait of Bert Hinkler, the Australian pioneer aviator. He was a member of the Royal ...

Signed portrait of Bert Hinkler, the Australian pioneer aviator. He was a member of the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his actions as an observer and air gunner. After the war he became a pilot and is best known for his successful solo flight in an Avro Avian aircraft from England to Australia in 1928. He also flew a Puss Moth, solo from Canada to England in 1931. In early January 1933, whilst attempting another solo flight from England to Australia he went missing. His body and wrecked aircraft were later found in the Apennines mountains in April 1933. He is buried in Florence, Italy.