b'45116116C 25 Sept.1926 (AAMC.102) A cover flown and signed by Group Captain Richard Williams on his survey flight from Melbourne to various Pacific Islands in a DH50A seaplane. The intention was to follow the east coast as far as Thursday Island and then via Papua, New Britain and the Solomon Islands to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia before turning east again for Fiji and Samoa. Engine trouble and sickness caused the crew of Williams, McIntyre and Trist to fly no further than Tulagi in the Solomons and they returned to Melbourne, arriving December 7. This cover is addressed to Vila, New Hebrides, but is endorsed by Williams The flight was terminated at Tulagi (& returned) + this letter was not delivered. With THURSDAY ISLAND 10 OC 26 cds. [Note: the surface postage rate of 1d applied to mail carried. There was no air mail surcharge.] A superb example and exceptionally rare.Provenance: The Nelson Eustis Gold Medal Collection, Leski Auctions, March 2008. .$17,50020,000'