AVIATION PIONEERS

SEARCH

SHOP

GO HOME!

Jean Gardner Batten 1909-1982 Source: CTIE, Monash University Clayton campus, Australia Arguably New Zealand's greatest aviator was born Jane Gardner Batten on September 15, 1909 in Rotorua, New Zealand and despite her so to be made fame, died in obscurity on November 22, 1982 in Palma, Majorca. During the years 1933-37 she astounded the world time after time with feats of daring, combined with highly skilled flying prowess, setting and resetting solo distance/endurance records some to stand for many decades. Jean Batten's principal achievments include: 1933 De Havilland Gipsy Moth Biplane G-AALG (originally owned by The Prince of Wales 5 Sep 29 - 4 Feb 33) England - India 1934 De Havilland Gipsy Moth Biplane G-AARB England - Australia (women's record) 10,500 miles in 14 days 22 hours 30 minutes 1935 De Havilland Gipsy Moth G-AARB Australia - England in 17 days 15 hours. First woman to make return flight. Percival Gull Monoplane G-ADPR England - Brazil: 5000 miles in 61 hours 15 minutes elapsed time. World record for any type of aeroplane. Also fastest crossing South Atlantic Ocean, 13 1/4 hours, and first woman to make England - South America flight. 1936 Percival Gull Monoplane G-ADPR England - New Zealand. World record for any type. 14,224 miles in 11 days 45 minutes total elapsed time, including 21/2 days in Sydney. Also first direct flight from England to Auckland. Also world record for fastest flight between Australia and New Zealand (101/2 hours). Established on same flight: England - Australia solo record, 10,500 miles in 5 days 21 hours total elapsed time. 1937 Percival Gull Monoplane G-ADPR Australia - England solo record, 5 days 18 hours 15 minutes. First person to hold both England - Australia and Australia - England solo records at the same time.