Tintype portrait - miniature photograph: head and shoulders of young male, possibly Basil Watson but no name attached.person, individual, basil watson

Piece of cream-coloured silk, no markings, from Basil Watson's biplane, in construction stage. Handwritten note states : 'Assam silk material used in covering the wings and fuselage of Basil Watson's airplane built by him in 1916. The wings and fuselage were then painted with an oil protective covering'person, individual, basil watson

Souvenir cover, centenary envelope and postcard commemorating the flight of Basil Watson in 1917 to Mt Gambier. (a) Pale green envelope with image of Basil's airplane on LH side, stamp with Basil on top RH corner. Written on envelope 'Basil Watson Air Mail Centenary 1917 - 2017 Mount Gambier to Melbourne, First Air Mail, Sth Australia - Victoria. (b) postcard: photo of Basil Watson's airplane situated in the backyard of the family home in Brighton. Stamped on back with Basil Watson Essendon 27 Feb 2017 Airport Vic Centenary. Basil pictured with his father James Watson, in front of plane at Albert Park, Melbourne.aviation, civilian, basil watson

Book. 'Basil Watson Pioneer Aviator', soft cover 61 pages with black and white and some colour photographs, published by Penfolk publishing Blackburn Victoria.Carole Winterbiography, basil watson, watson basil- air pilots- test pilots- air mail service, aviator, carol winter

Newspaper cuttings of 50th anniversary flight of the re-enactment of the first South Australia Victoria air mail. Item enclosed in small envelope. Re-enactment done by Douglas Watson, a nephew of the pioneer airman, Basil Watson.. a. Bendigo Advertiser, 24th Feb. 1967; b. The Age 28th Feb, 1967. (in an envelope marked ''Re Basil Watson'' - newspaper and date written in biro.) person, individual, basil watson

Letter of acknowledgement from Curator of The Industrial and Technological Museum (re Basil Watson aircraft items), addressed to J. I. Watson, Esq, St Kilda St, Elsternwick, dated 29th October, 1919. Relics of Basil Watson's ill fated bi-plane that crashed into the Bay at Point Cook. Acknowledges receipt of 50 HP Gnome rotary aeroplane engine; spare parts, aeroplane propeller 'and other parts' .person, individual, basil watson

This is the seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson. Photographs held by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society confirm that this was Watson’s aeroplane seat. He was a pioneer aviator who had built his own plane which was 5.5 metres long with a wingspan of 8 metres. It had a 7-cylinder 50 HP rotary Gnome engine. Basil Watson flew this aircraft to Warrnambool in January 1917, becoming the first person to fly to Warrnambool, coming from Point Cook in one hour 55 minutes – an Australian cross-country flying record at that time. Watson amazed Warrnambool crowds with his dare-devil flying, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool racecourse. He also brought with him the first aerial post to arrive in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has the letter he brought written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. Two months after he was in Warrnambool Basil Watson was killed when his plane crashed near Point Cook in March 1917. Parts of the plane were salvaged and the seat was donated to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1918. It remained there until the museum was dismantled in the early 1960s and it was later passed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The tag on the seat today is an old Warrnambool Museum label. This is a most significant item as it is the original seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson, an important early aviator in Australia’s history and it is also an early 20th century memento of the many treasures from the old Warrnambool Museum (1883-1963). The seat shows the primitive nature of early 20th century aeroplanes in Australia. This is a metal (galvanized iron) seat with a semi-circular base and a curved back stretching around from one end of the base to the other end. The back has a rolled metal edging on the base and the top. On the sides are two slots with a khaki-coloured cloth strap passing through the slots. This strap has a metal buckle at the end. The metal in the seat is somewhat blotched and discoloured. A luggage label is tied to one of the slots and has a name typed on it.Mr Watsonbasil watson, aviator, old warrnambool museum, history of warrnambool

Souvenir parachute released from Basil Watson's Biplane enclosed in envelope 'The Australian T & G Mutual Life Assurance Society ltd., incorporated in Victoria 1876' Paper parachute in the form of a red, white and blue (Union Jack) square attached by cotton threads to a cardboard ''Shell'' logo. Printed on logo is ''Released from Basil Watson's biplane in Victoria 1917''. Advertising slogan for Shell benzine. 'Spare' cardboard Shell logo (detached from another Union Jack square?)person, individual, basil watson

Souvenir paper parachute ''Released from Basil Watson's biplane using 'Shell' benzine.'' Red, white and blue (Union Jack) square attached by 4 cotton threads to a cardboard cutout of the 'Shell' logo.person, individual, basil watson

1 original and 2 duplicates copies of a selection of 14 important aviation events and dates in Australia, including Basil Watson flights. Original signed by Robert Keith Munro (Basil Watson's cousin) with attached handwritten note re Wright Bros. Stuck to bottom of page 2 of original : air mail sticker; 3d Australia Air Mail Service stamp;by aerial mail A.A. S.Ltd blue and white stamp; 'shorter by days to ensure earliest delivery please reply by air mail, time is money' label.person, individual, basil watson

Autograph album, leather bound. Owner of album invites friends/family to add autograph or verse or drawing. Entries are date between 1877 and 1884 (not all entries dated). May have belonged to relative of Basil Watson?person, individual, basil watson

This is a booklet produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the aeroplane flights of Basil Watson in 1917 (the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail). In the 1967 Mount Gambier/Melbourne air mail flight re-enactment the aircraft was from Aviation Services (Hardingham) Limited, a Piper Cherokee, and on board was Douglas Watson, Basil Watson’s nephew. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own plane which had a 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. He flew the first aeroplane to Warrnambool in January 1917, bringing with him the first air mail to the town. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics over the Warrnambool Racecourse. He died two months later, crashing into the sea near Point Cook. This booklet is of great interest as it gives details of the life of Basil Watson, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first man to fly into the town in 1917 and the first person to bring air mail to Warrnambool, including a letter from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. This is a booklet of 16 pages produced to commemorate the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail Flight. It has a grey cover with black printing and an image of an early model aeroplane on the front cover. The text includes illustrations, maps and black and white photographs. The first page has two signatures. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.‘Donated by Mrs Giles W’bool’ ‘J.C.Hardingham, Pilot’ ‘D.Watson’ basil watson, history of aviation in victoria, history of warrnambool

Flight souvenir of Basil Watson in pennant shape. Union Jack design on front. Advertisement for 'Employers' Liability Insurance Corporation Ltd (of London) on back. A souvenir of the flight of B. Watson, Melbourne to Bendigo, 29th Nov 1916 and Bendigo to Melbourne, 15th Dec. 1916. '' 100 miles in 65 minutes''.person, bendigo, basil watson

Unused piece of silk fabric (left-over from construction of a Basil Watson plane?)aviation, civilian, silk fabric

Agreement between Hall Aviation School, London Aerodrome,Hendon and Basil Watson for flying instruction for ordinary Pilot's certificate of the Royal Aero Club. Includes tuition fee and details of agreement relating to liabilities and damage etc. Signed by B Watson, 2nd September 1915 and witnessed by B? Francis, Manager, Hall Aviation Co. (Flying School).Hall Aviation School,Hendon, N.W. London Aerodrome.person, individual, basil watson

On the front page of Man and Aerial Machines a publication for those with a serious interest in the Aeronautical history of Australia. Issue No. 40 ISSN 1037-5120 January to February 1994 is a grey scale of Basil Watson and his Aircraft along with another man standing behind the Aircraft, both men are wearing hats. The biplane has a single propella and along the side of the plane is a ring of three different colours. Underneath is written 'Basil Waton's aircraft at an unknown location and R.A.A.F Museum via John Hopton. The newsletter covers a drawing of Short S.B.5 with 60deg wing sweep and a low set tail plane from Shorts Aircraft since 1900 by C.H. Bames. An article on Basil George Watson also 'The War Aloft, Experiences of Australian Aviator, the latest machines'. 'In his Homebuilt Biplane Aviator Loops and Dive's. 'Bendigo Aviator flies from Melbourne' 'Flight from Bendigo', 'The Aeroplane in War, some recent developments'. 'Castlemaine New Years Day Carnival' An advertisement for Basil Watson to give a demonstration at the Bendigo Racecourse Saturday 2nd December (weather permitting)person, individual, basil watson

8 page philatelic bulletin bound with single staple. One page article 'Basil Watson Anniversary Flight' marked the 50th anniversary of the airmail flight from Mt Gambier to Melbourne. Includes a mini biography of Basil Watson and an impression of the postmark used for the flight.government, state, philatelic bulletin

Letter, lemon envelope and paper, from Larkin Aircraft Supply Co Ltd, Melbourne Aerodrome, Dudley Street, Melbourne, addressed to Mr. Keith Munro, Wilkinson & Lavender, 444 Collins Street, Melbourne, dated 3rd September 1929. Re: thanks for loan of material re aeronautical career of Basil Watson. Signed: Bernard Cronin, Publicity Officer. Parcel and letter delivered by hand.person, individual, basil watson

Album of 8 photographs - Basil Watson biplane being constructed inside the family home: 1. Body frame of plane; 2 Watson standing in front of cockpit frame; 3. Section of wing and tail; 4. Watson in cockpit frame; 5. Side view of biplane in backyard; 6 Front view of biplane in backyard; 7. As for 6; 8. Rear view of biplane in backyard.photograph, aircraft, basil watson collection

postcard: Written on front ' Xmas greeting from the Australian Flying Squadron' ' O H Coulson' Picture of biplane flying in sky in centre, wings and colour patch of squadron top LH corner. On back of card written in blue ink ' on active service' Card is addressed to Mr. Basil G. Watson, ' Foilacleugh' St. Kilda Street Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. On LH side ' Egypt 1916/17, wishing you all the best for the coming season a happy Xmas and a Bright New Year, from your forgotten Pal, ' Nicco' , 1916/17.aviation, civilian, o.h. coulson postcard, basil watson collection, australian flying squadron, egypt

Sterling silver card case (B Watson) - hinged with single brass leaf insider engraved with details of Watson's flights and achievements in Australia - destinations,distance, time, date inscribed on inside of case.. On front ''Basil G. Watson''; on back ''First Australian to Loop the Loop in Australia'' (engraved inscriptions)person, individual, basil watson

Basil Watson departed Melbourne on 24th January 1917, on the initial leg of Australia's first 'barnstorming' aviation tour, promoted by the entrepreneurs Albert Sculthorpe and R. Sissons. During the trip, which lasted over a month, Watson visited Warrnambool, Hamilton and Mount Gambier, before returning via stopovers at Casterton, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Camperdown. At each town he presented a public flying demonstration for crowds of spectators, featuring his usual aerobatic displays with feats such 'looping the loop', upside down flying, somersaulting and 'perpendicular nose dives', generating much amazement and admiration. The promoters had received approval from the Postmaster General's Department to carry an experimental airmail consignment on the return journey from Mount Gambier, and Watson landed in Albert Park on his arrival back in Melbourne on 27th February, carrying over 1,000 pieces of airmail collected from each of the towns on route. Much of the mail was in the form of official souvenir postcards commemorating the event, which were reposted on arrival to local addresses in Melbourne. Churchward, M. (2017) Basil George Watson, Pioneering Aviator (1894-1917) in Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/15473 Accessed 18 December 2018.Book. ' Basil G. Watson, Pioneer Airman, the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 experimental air mail'. Grey cover, 39 pages with photographs and illustrations.H.N. Eustisbiography, aviation, basil g. watson, aviation, airmail, bendigo, basil g. watson.eric j. ames pty ltd printers, 14 chesser street adelaide

Copy of typed letter dated November 2, 1961 from R K Munro to R M Ansett, re Basil Watson's aircraft flight 'the first man to build and fly an aeroplane long distances in Australia way back in 1916-17' The letter details Basil's flight from Melbourne (Point Cook) to Bendigo on 29th November, and carried the first letter to be carried by aeroplane in Australia. 1916 and discusses the carriage of mail by aeroplane. R. Keith Munro also writes of a list of significant aeronautical history dates that he encloses ( not with item ) and requesting details about commencement dates of Ansett Airways and ANA. 'Copy' written at top. Signed 'R K Munro, address 63 Pyke Street,Bendigo.basil watson, airmail, r.keith munro, bendigo

Piece of silk fabric from Basil Watson's plane; with stylised logo 'BW' painted in grey and black. Handwritten on back in ink 'Taken from Basil's plane' Potentially taken from Basil Watson's plane following his fatal crash at Point Cook in 1917.aviation, civilian, fabric

Aviation Historical Society of Australia Journal May/ June1966. 32 Quarto pages, stapled. No apparent reference to Basil Watson.organization, society, aviation

photograph: black and white photo of three men standing in front of biplane. On top RH , 'Basil' written in black. Writing on back of photo mostly illegible, in purple pencil ' 15 Selbay ? Tomace ?photograph, aircraft, basil watson collection, basil watson collection

newspaper clipping: picture of biplane. Men inspecting plane. On bottom ' the King of the Belgiums inspecting a British ' Tabloid' biplane in Flanders'newspaper, aircraft, basil watson collection, basil watson collection, belgium, king

Postcard: black and white card, divided into 3 sections. Three images of biplanes. On bottom 'The avro biplane - 1912 model' Written in red ink - as on order by the war.cottage, miners, basil watson, basil watson, biplane, avro biplane.

Postcard: sepia toned postcard. Biplane floating on pontoons on LH side of postcard, five men in boat on RH side. Men are dressed in suits and waistcoats, wearing hats. On back of card: A.Rapp, Marine Photographer, 39 Bernard Street, Southampton.A.Rapp, Marine Photographersperson, individual, basil watson, basil watson, aeroplane, biplane, southampton.