1-193-184 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Sir Francis Chichester. In 1929 Francis Chichester made the second solo flight to Australia. In 1931 he made the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from east to west in his Gipsy Moth aeroplane fitted with floats. He took up ocean sailing in 1953 and won the first solo transatlantic race in 1960 in the Gipsy Moth III, sailing from Plymouth to New York City in 40 days. In 1966-67 he sailed around the world alone in a 55 foot sailing yacht, the Gipsy Moth IV. He was awarded a Knighthood in 1967.