Photograph - John Duigan at the Controls of his Biplane, Bendigo Racecourse, Victoria, 3 May 1911

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Summary:: Photograph of John Robertson Duigan seated at the controls of his biplane, taken during a public demonstration of the aircraft attended by 1,000 people at the Bendigo Racecourse, 3rd May 1911. The photograph was possibly taken by Jophn's brother Reginald Duigan or by a newspaper photographer.

Although French and American flying machines had already flown in Victoria, J.R. Duigan built and flew the first Australian-made flying machine in 1910.

This image taken at the Bendigo Racecourse on 3 May 1911, was published in the Bendigo Advertiser, 4 May 1911, and in the British aviation journal 'Flight' (London), 6th April 1912.
Description:: Black & white silver gelatin photographic print. Identifical image to MM 057491 (SMV Neg No.182), but appears to have been printed from an original negative.
Description Of Content:: John Robertson Duigan seated at the controls of his biplane, built on the family property, 'Spring Plains', Mia Mia, near Heathcote, and first flown a short distance on 16 July 1910. This was the first Australian-built aeroplane to fly although John Duigan believed his first true controlled flight took place on 7 October 1910.

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	151 mm (Height), 198 mm (Width)

Tagged with:	aeronautics, aero engines, aircraft, aviation, aviation pioneers, biplanes, pilots, aeroplanes, aircraft propellors, experimental aircraft
Themes this item is part of:	Pioneering Flights at Diggers Rest, Victoria, Designing & Building the First Australian Aircraft, John Duigan's Military Service, Centenary of Australian Aviation, John Robertson Duigan MC, Pioneering Aviator (1882-1951), Reginald Charles Duigan, Pioneering Aviator & Inventor (1888-1966), Engineering Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	AIR TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Pioneering Flights
Tertiary Classification:	aviators
Inscriptions:	Text 'FLIGHT.' printed in bottom right-hand corner.
People Depicted:	Duigan, John R.
Format:	Negative - Copy: Black & White
Place & Date Depicted:	Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 03 May1911 Photographer unknown.
Person Depicted:	Mr John Duigan, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 03 May 1911
Maker of Item Depicted:	Mr John Duigan, Mia Mia, Victoria, Australia, 1909-1910