The original aim of the flight was to beat the England to Australia flight record of 15 days, which had been set by Bert Hinker in 1928. Various mechanical problems along with bad weather meant that Johnson's flight took 19 days, but she had become the first woman to make the journey and her record attempts earned her worldwide fame.

Some sources indicate that Johnson only had 75 hours of flying time before she set off for Australia, making her record attempt even more incredible.

After her flight Johnson was awarded the C.B.E from King George, and was also given £10,000 by the Daily Mail.

Eleven years after becoming the first woman to fly from England to Australia, Johnson died in mysterious circumstances when her plane crashed into the River Thames, miles away from her intended destination. Johnson's body was never found and conspiracy theorists have enjoyed throwing out various snippets of speculation, including that Johnson had faked her own death.

To celebrate Amy Johnson's flight here is our gallery of other famous female firsts, and their achievements, which sadly are sometimes less celebrated than their male counterparts.

source: uk