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August 30th, 2000
QANTAS actually began with a Model T !Sir Hudson Fysh, Longreach grazier, World War I pilot and eventually the founder of Qantas Empire Airways, entered for the Federal Government’s prize for the first person to fly a plane from England to Australia.
Instead of flying across Australia, they purchased a Model T Ford and drove from Longreach to Darwin over trackless country. The only thing that stopped the trusty Model T was when it crashed into a giant ant hill. Apart from that little interlude, the two-wheel drive Ford accomplished the trip easily – so much for Four Wheel Drive! They used the Ford to map the eventual routes for the first Qantas flights.
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Feature
However, just prior to the race the sponsor for their
attempt died and left them without funds to compete.