History - Silver Queen II - First aircraft to land in Rhodesia
Silver Queen II – the first aeroplane flight into
Rhodesia landed 4th March, 1920 (Crashed on take off 5th March,
1920)
Heavy rain fell on Tuesday night and the airmen had to postpone their
departure until Thursday, but engine trouble meant they did not leave
until Friday morning when a stiff south-easterly wind was blowing and
progress was slow, at times their ground speed was less than 60mph.
Wankie 9:40…Dett 10:20…Ngamo 11:10…Sawmills 12:00…Nyamandhlovu 12:29.
In Bulawayo excited crowds thronged the race course which was to be used
as a landing ground. Earlier the authorities had given warning by gun
and hooter that the aircraft was on its way. At 12:40 a speck in the sky
towards the north-west heralded the approach of “Silver Queen II” and a
few minutes later she touched down smoothly on the grass; the first
plane to land on the soil of Southern Rhodesia.
Formal addresses of welcome were then read by Mayor James Cowden and
Acting Town Clerk F. Fitch, after which the party proceeded to the Grand
Hotel for a civic luncheon.
Next morning after the engines had been warmed up; “Silver Queen II”
taxied to the down-wind end of the field and commenced to take off for
South Africa. The Bulawayo Chronicle of Friday, March 5th 1920, gave the
following account of subsequent events: “The aircraft ran across the
cleared space and…lifted into the air only a few yards from the tangled
bush beyond the field. There were gasps of relief from the watchers and
then a delighted cheer. But it soon became evident that…all was not
well. Heading towards Hillside…only a few yards above the bush…she
disappeared from view. Apprehensions grew when the engines became
silent.”
“Some started running towards the Matsheumhlope River…others rushed to
cars and vehicles…motors scurried along tracks on the commonage between
South Suburbs and Hillside. Then (the first to reach the scene) saw the
wreck of the aircraft in the bush beyond the river. Both officers were
dishevelled and severely shaken, but not seriously injured, while the
mechanics sustained minor bruises.”