Five aircraft with provisions for three crew members were modified for long-range work with the RAF Long-Range Development Flight. Additional modifications included the fitting of Pegasus XXII engines and extra fuel tanks. On 5 November 1938, three of them under command of Squadron Leader Richard Kellett flew non-stop for two days from Ismailia, Egypt to Darwin, Australia 7,162 miles (11,526 km) setting a world distance record. All three aircraft broke the record, but No. 2 aircraft landed in West Timor, 500 miles (800 km) short of the objective. The Wellesley’s record remained unbroken until November 1945. This flight is still the longest by an aircraft with a single piston engine.
Some photos from the the Grande Semaine de Cannes, March 27 – April 3, 1910.
Hayden Sands on Antoinette, during the Grande Semaine de Cannes, March 27 – April 3, 1910
Baratoux in flight on Wright during Cannes Week, end of March 1910,
Riemsdyck’s aircraft Curtiss biplane, during the Grande Semaine de Cannes, 1910.
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