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Amy Johnson record flight map given to collection

East Riding of Yorkshire Council An envelope has a drawing of Amy Johnson's green Gipsy Moth plane, with people standing on the ground waving to her as she comes into land on fields with a blue sky.East Riding of Yorkshire Council
A commemorative envelope from 2002 celebrating the 72nd anniversary of Amy Johnson's solo flight from England to Australia is among the items donated

An original rolled map from Amy Johnson’s flight from England to Australia is among new artefacts donated to a collection in her memory.

Hull-born Ms Johnson made history in 1930 when she became the first woman to fly her Gypsy Moth plane called Jason the 11,000-mile (18,000 km) route solo.

The map, marked with distances and compass bearings, is one of several items donated to the collection at Sewerby Hall Museum near Bridlington by an Australian donor.

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for heritage and coastal, said the “generous donation has made a significant difference” to the collection.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council A section of the map shows Darwen and has red and blue ink showing the route Amy Johnson took as well as compass bearingsEast Riding of Yorkshire Council
The original rolled map is the only known section of Amy Johnson's Australia flight map to have survived

The items have been donated by Susan Robey. They were originally acquired by her mother, Sanja Robey, who was also a pilot, at an auction in 1994.

They were previously part of a collection belonging to Australian pilot wing commander Ronald Gordon, who met Ms Johnson during her time down under.

Included in the donation is Mr Gordon’s log book, which records a flight he took with Ms Johnson at Laverton, Victoria, three weeks after her record flight in 1930.

The rolled map is the only known section of her Australia flight map to have survived.

Other items donated include:

  • part of a commemorative song sheet The Lone Girl Flyer
  • Gipsy Moth aircraft engine maintenance booklets
  • a china plate with images and dates relating to her flight
  • a tea towel reproducing a newspaper story about Ms Johnson
  • a commemorative envelope from 2002 - the 72nd anniversary of the Australia flight, which shows the interest in her achievement over the decades since

Ms Johnson died when her plane crashed into the sea off Herne Bay on 5 January 1941.

Ms Jefferson added: “The new items help to paint a clearer picture of Amy Johnson’s extraordinary career as a pioneering pilot and navigator, bringing this piece of history to life.’’

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