Mia Mia - Duigan Memorial
The Duigan Memorial commemorates the first flight of an aeroplane built and flown by an Australian in 1910.
John Robertson Duigan, with the collaboration of his brother, Reginald C. Duigan, built and flew the first Australian made aeroplane to achieve controlled flight in Australia.
In July 1910, John Duigan flew the aeroplane at James Cullen`s property 'Spring Plains' at Mia Mia, taking off under its own power and flying 7 metres. Within two months, this had been extended to 90 metres, and soon thereafter to 180 metres at an altitude of 3.5 metres. By the end of the year, Duigan had made a flight of 1 kilometre at an altitude of 30 metres.
This is acknowledged as the first powered, controlled flight of an all Australian designed and built aeroplane and occurred less than seven years after the Wright Brothers lifted off at Kittyhawk, North Carolina.
The memorial was designed by Reg's son Terence and features a DC-3 propeller on a basalt column.
The inscription reads "This pylon commemorates the first flight of an aeroplane built and flown by an Australian about one mile east of this spot on 16th July 1910.
John Robertson Duigan first flew the aeroplane which he and his brother Reginald built on their father's property "Spring Plains".
Unveiled by Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams KBE CB DSO
28th May 1960"
Photo Credit: pontian69
Location
Duigan Memorial, Burke and Wills Track, Mia Mia 3444 Map
Web Links
→ monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/technology/industry/display/32582-duigan-monument
