Jean Batten

Key facts

Catalogue Number

492
Title

Jean Batten
Date

1937
Artist

Shell Studio

Jean Batten was a New Zealand aviator born in Rotorua in 1909. Batten became the best known New Zealander of the 1930s, rising to international fame as a record breaking, female aviator. Two of Batten’s notable flying achievements were fuelled by Shell. In May 1934, Batten achieved a new record for the England to Australia flight. Then in October 1936, She made the first direct flight from England to New Zealand. Batten’s was also the first woman to fly across the South Atlantic in 1935.