Henshaw photographed a few minutes earlier, taxying in after landing at Gravesend after the final 1,200-mile leg from the Cape.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Henshaw's Percival Mew Gull at the time he purchased it, in 1937.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Henshaw's Mew Gull during full-power running of the D.H. Gipsy Six Series II engine at Gravesend in February 1939.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

The author, then aged 24, seated in the Mew Gull at Gravesend in February 1939. Note how close the instrument panel is to the pilot's face. The panel was moved backwards in order to accommodate a larger fuel tank.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Two photographs of the author taken immediately after landing at the Cape. All records have been broken, but he is now faced with the return flight a little more than 27hr later. Having landed at Cape Town at 1859hr on the Monday evening he took off again for the first return stage at 2218hr the following day.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Jack Cross lifts the author from the Mew Gull on his arrival at Gravesend just before 1400hr on February 9, 1939, amidst shocked onlookers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

The author taxies in at Gravesend a moment before the upper photograph was taken.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Another refuelling stop on the outbound journey, this time at Mossamedes. The author is splattered with blood from a torn finger snagged on a small retaining hook on a side window.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Night take-off from Gao - by Michael Turner
"... and with a murmured prayer slowly opened the throttle. As expected, the moment the engine revved up nothing could be seen for the swirling clouds of dust, which easily found its way into the cockpit filling the inside with choking grit and that strange, inimitable smell as well.”

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934