Harry Frank Broadbent

Harry Frank "Jim" Broadbent (né Gibbs; 25 March 1910 – 9 November 1958) was a British pilot largely raised in Australia, who took part in air racing and record-breaking flights in the 1930s.

Early life Broadbent was born in Chiswick on 25 March 1910 as Harry Frank Gibbs. His father, Joseph Gibbs, was a singer and actor whose stage name was Frank Harwood. His mother, Madge Adelaide, was the youngest daughter of Kate and Harry Rickards, prominent figures in the theatrical life of Australia. He was educated at Wychwood School, Bournemouth. Harry moved to Australia after his parents' divorce, and in 1923 his mother married John Allan Broadbent, of Windella station, Narrandera, NSW. Harry then preferred to use the name 'Jim Broadbent'. He received flight training as a member of the Sydney Aero Club, and gained a private pilot's licence on 20 November 1929.

Air racing and record-breaking 1930s 29 March 1931: Broadbent took off from Hanworth Aerodrome in his Blackburn Bluebird (G-ABJA, named "City of Sydney"), at the start of an attempt to break the record for the fastest flight from England to Australia. After taking off from Constantinople, he force landed in a swampy valley near Ismidt. The aircraft was recovered undamaged, but Broadbent abandoned the record attempt.

12 August 1931: Flew solo in his Avro Avian (VH-UQE, named "Dabs") from Brisbane to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, in a flight time of 16 hours 15 minutes, linking the cities for the first time by air in one day.

31 August 1931: Set a round-Australia record by flying 7,475 miles (12,030 km) in 7 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes.

27 April 1937: Left Darwin in his de Havilland Leopard Moth (VH-AHB, named "Windella") in an attempt to break the Australia to England record, which he achieved after arriving at Lympne Aerodrome after 6 days 8 hours 25 minutes.

11 September 1937: Flew a BA Double Eagle (G-AEIN) in the King's Cup Race starting at Hatfield, but was forced to land at RAF West Freugh after an undercarriage malfunction.

Silver City Airways 1952 In 1952, he was employed by Silver City Airways, flying Bristol 170 Freighters.