Spirit of Surfers Paradise: 60 years since historic flight of Avro Lancaster from Australia to the UK

The eyes of the world were on the Gold Coast 60 years ago next week for the incredible flight of a World War II-era plane dubbed “The Spirit of Surfers Paradise”. ITS INCREDIBLE STORY

Gold Coast Airport is at the heart of a debate about the future extension of the light rail.

The state government is reviewing the project and its route, which is currently planned to go via the airport from Burleigh to the border.

It was the kind of project those who lived on the Gold Coast six decades ago couldn’t have imagined when there was no magnificent international terminal at the time – just a small aerodrome in Coolangatta.

It was big news when a large plane arrived.

Next week marks 60 years since a historic flight across the world took off from the Gold Coast.

The veteran Lancaster Bomber, Spirit of Surfers' Paradise

The Spirit of Surfers Paradise, an Avro Lancaster, made its final flight from Australia to the UK in mid-1965 where it was to be retired and put on display.

The plane was built in Birmingham in April 1945 and was originally known as Just Jane.

Finished the same month German dictator Adolf Hitler committed suicide, the 32m (102ft) plane was destined not to fly over Europe.

Instead, its fate was to be part of the Royal Air Force’s Tiger Force where its mission was to fight the Empire of Japan.

But World War II ended in August that year and suddenly the Lancaster, powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin 24 engines, was no longer needed and was put into storage in the UK.

the Spirit of Surfers Paradise at Coolangatta on April 25, 1965

Purchased by the French Government in the 1950s, it flew for more than a decade, including a long stint in the Pacific based out of New Caledonia where it served in a maritime patrol role.

By 1964, the ageing craft was retired and was flown to Australia to prepare it for the long flight home back to the UK.

The Gold Coast was to be a big part of it.

Arthur Joseph Johnston was Surfers Paradise manager of real estate LJ Hooker group and a retired RAAF serviceman.

He joined with friend and fellow airman Keith McCarthy, and members of the Australian branch of the Historical Aircraft Preservation Society, to help fund the plane’s homecoming.

A newspaper appeal was launched in Sydney but failed to raise sufficient money to help foot the costs to fly it to England.

Crowds came out to see the Spirit of Surfers Paradise at Coolangatta

An approach was then made to the Surfers Paradise Mirror, a weekly publication through the 1960s, and through its chief writer Alex McRobbie a successful appeal was launched locally.

Mayor Ern Harley secured the support of his colleagues at Gold Coast City Council to fund a leg of the flight from Sydney to the Glitter Strip.

The plane was renamed The Spirit of the Surfers Paradise for the journey between Australia and the UK.

Among its crew for the flight were Mr Johnston and Mr McCarthy, who acted as radio operator and navigator respectively.

The plane, bearing a custom white livery and the Gold Coast name, took off from Mascot, Sydney on April 25, 1965 and arrived at Coolangatta Airport later the same day.

Mr Harley and a crowd of onlookers were there to greet it and the plane’s visit was a major event.

The late Mr McRobbie wrote in his book 20th Century Gold Coast People: “The trials and tribulations of the flight were followed daily by the world’s media”.

The Spirit of Surfers Paradise touched down at Biggin Hill, England on May 13, 1965.

After being flown a handful of times, it now sits on display in the UK at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre near the historic market town of Spilsby.

Mr Johnson died in 2007, aged 85.