A cold morning in 1913 at Dick’s Plain, just north of Mulwala, was meant to be Douglas Sloane’s moment of glory. But sometimes things don’t go to plan.

It was the inaugural flight of his bi-plane. The engine was primed, the blocks removed, but the aircraft remained grounded. Sloane’s home-made engine was not strong enough to provide uplift.

However, the attempt was a remarkable achievement for a Mulwala lad, who had no training in aeronautics, apart from many hours lying on his back, his binoculars fixed on the wedge-tail eagles that soared above his home, Bernarra (now part of Thales).

The eagle formed the basis of the wing and chassis design, and the engine from his own design, built on a friend’s lathe. He had constructed the plane in his father’s woolshed at Mulwala Station. But this setback did not deter him one little bit. Back to the drawing board.

The result of his experiments in engine design resulted in a new design in small engines. It was revolutionary that he applied for a Commonwealth of Australia ‘Letters patent’ on June 27, 1913.

Douglas had invented ‘an improvement in internal combustion engines’.

During quite times on the Mulwala Station property, Douglas went to Melbourne, where he worked on his new engine in a friend’s workshop in St Kilda.

When WWI broke out, he attempted to join the Air Division of the Army. However, he was not accepted as a pilot, but as an engineer and designer. He was directed to perfect the latest engine that he was building. He spent much of his time at the engineering works, his new engine performing well.

But in one tragic blow, his work was undone when the workshop was burnt to the ground. He was asked to recommence his engineering, but instead, he refocussed on flying as a pilot. Some of his friends were already up in the air. Willy Hay, of nearby Boomanoomana Station, Andrew Lang from Corowa, and John Duigan, were airborne in various ways.

In September 1916, No 2 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps was formed near Point Cook. Douglas was determined to join this Squadron, which he finally did. After his training, he was sent to England where he trained as an air mechanic at South Carlton, west of Lincoln. He spent more time in workshops than in planes.

In August 1917, his squadron was moved to France. But disaster struck at Biggin Hill Air Base, near London. Aboard an aircraft as an observer on August 21, his plane crashed, killing both the pilot and Douglas.

They were honoured by a full military funeral, Douglas then buried at Brookwood Cemetery, aged 27. Mulwala’s residents gave his parents, James and Amy, a Medal of Honour from the district.

Details of Douglas’ 1912 bi-plane are found in the online Encyclopedia of Aircraft, famous planes in Australia and New Zealand.

A drive into the unknown: relief and closure

During a self-drive around the UK in 2017, 100 years since Douglas’ fatal crash, his cousins Alex and Ann Sloane visited Lincoln, where they were told the 1917 South Carlton Air Base was now a private farm.

Nevertheless, curiosity about the general landscape led them to the site, where they entered the farm, expecting to be immediately banished.

After a short drive, they entered an area of large sheds and farm machines.

The owner emerged from a shed, not impressed with unannounced trespassers. However, a quick explanation of our connection to his farm brought a total change to his response.

He was the epitome of the welcoming host, providing a tour of the old hangar (now housing his tractors and implements), the wartime theatre, and sites of other wartime buildings.

An amazing experience for all. He was later sent a copy of Douglas’ biography To Fly like an Eagle, in gratitude for his unscheduled role as host.

He appreciated learning more of the role of his farm in aviation history.

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Sunday, 12th March 2023

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