London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Johnnie's Welcome Home
Incredible scenes as an estimated one million people descend on the airport at Croydon to witness the return of pioneering pilot Amy Johnson from Australia.
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Overview
In 1930, Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia, leaving from Croydon Airport in her Gypsy Moth. Upon her return, a crowd of around one million flocked to Croydon to catch a glimpse of this ‘aviatrix’. Here Johnson’s plane is seen flying over fields while crowds gather. She then lands – the footage becomes rather grainy – and gives a speech to the watching crowd. Johnson’s plane is now in the Science Museum and Croydon Airport is a housing estate.
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