Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Flight of Captain Bennett

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 4, 2018

1. Flight of Captain Bennett Marker

Inscription. Commemoration of the 1938 Flight of Captain Bennett from the Tay Estuary to South West Africa The world record long distance flight by a seaplane was achieved by the aircraft ‘Mercury’ the upper component of the Short Mayo Composite that took off from the Tay Estuary at Dundee on 6th October 1938.

The seaplane was positioned on top of the Maia flying boat for assisted take-off enabling her to carry a greater fuel load. The planes separated in the skies north of Dundee and Mercury flew 6,041 miles to Alexander Bay, South West Africa.

The two experiment-planes ‘Mercury’ and ‘Maia’ were built by Short Brothers Ltd. For Imperial Airways and designed to carry mail long distances without refuelling.

This tribute to the epic flight by Captain D.C.T. Bennett and First Officer Harvey was unveiled by Capyain Bennett’s wife Mrs Ly Bennett and Lord Provost Mervyn Rolfe on 4th October 1997.

Captain Bennett, later Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., was the famed founder and Commander of the Royal Air Force Pathfinder Force during the Second World War.

Erected 1997.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is October 6, 1938.

Location. 56° 27.366′

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N, 2° 58.147′ W. Marker is in Dundee, Scotland. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Riverside Drive and Green Circular, on the right when traveling north. Located at Discovery Quay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dundee, Scotland DD1 4XA, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Patrick Hamilton (approx. 16.7 kilometers away); The Many Faces of St Andrews Castle (approx. 16.8 kilometers away); A Religious Powerhouse (approx. 17.1 kilometers away); Lofty Beginnings (approx. 17.2 kilometers away).

Also see . . .
1. Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett C.B. C.B.E. D.S.O. (Submitted on January 7, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Don Bennett on Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 7, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 4, 2018

2. Flight of Captain Bennett Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.