Charles Kingsford Smith lands at Mascot Aerodrome, 1935

In this broadcast 2UE announcer Si Meredith describes the enthusiastic reception that awaited aviator Charles Kingsford Smith at Mascot Aerodrome, where he was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff.

The public enthusiasm for the exploits of pioneering aviators, as well as the genuine affection for Kingsford Smith himself, is unmistakable in Meredith’s description of the throng of excited children crowding around the plane on the runway, cheering for the man.

Originally dated to 1932, we have confirmed the broadcast date as 17 May 1935 by comparing Meredith’s description to contemporary news reports.

This was also one of the first live broadcasts recorded by 2UE onto audio disc, as reported by The Wireless Weekly, 28 June 1935.