Character Relationship Map: Smithy

Characters

• Charles Kingsford-Smith (played by Ron Randell) — protagonist

  An Australian pilot and the central figure of the story, he pursues his ambition to fly across the Pacific and works with Charles Ulm to secure support for the journey. He becomes famous after the suc...

• Kay Sutton (played by Joy Nichols) — supporting

  An American woman, Kay first meets Kingsford Smith on a train to San Francisco, where he flirts with her. They meet again as planned when he returns to the United States, and she introduces him and Ch...

• Captain G. Allan Hancock (played by Alec Kellaway) — supporting

  A captain whom Kay Sutton introduces to Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm, Hancock is enthusiastic about backing their Pacific-flight project. He sees the effort as a way to strengthen ties between Amer...

• Harold Kingsford Smith (played by John Dunne) — supporting

  Kingsford Smith's brother, Harold lives in San Francisco. During his journey to the United States to seek financial backing for his planned Pacific flight, Kingsford Smith stays with him. The summary...

• Charles Ulm (played by John Tate) — supporting

  An Australian pilot who shares Kingsford Smith's ambition to fly across the Pacific, Ulm works with him to attract attention by setting an around-Australia flying record and to raise funds for their p...

• Sir Hubert Wilkins (played by John Dease) — supporting

  An adviser Kingsford Smith meets during a return to the United States, Wilkins warns him that even if he succeeds in his aviation ambitions, he may not live to enjoy the benefits of his work. His warn...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Sir Hubert Wilkins → Charles Kingsford-Smith (Professional Adviser) — Wilkins offers a cautionary perspective on the personal and financial cost of pioneering aviation.

  Wilkins warns Charles that even a successful flight may not bring him benefits during his lifetime.

• Charles Kingsford-Smith → Kay Sutton (Romantic Interest) — Their relationship is marked by attraction, reunion, and an emotionally significant farewell.

  Charles flirts with Kay on the train to San Francisco, later meets her again, and says goodbye to her before the Pacific flight.

• Charles Kingsford-Smith → Harold Kingsford Smith (Family Brother) — Harold provides family contact and accommodation during Charles's fundraising effort.

  Charles stays with his brother Harold in San Francisco while trying to raise funds for his Pacific flight.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Captain G. Allan Hancock → Charles Ulm (Alliance Financial Supporter) — Hancock's sponsorship directly assists Ulm's shared aviation mission.

  Hancock supports the joint project of Charles and Ulm, enabling them to obtain funding for the Pacific crossing.

• Captain G. Allan Hancock → Charles Kingsford-Smith (Alliance Financial Supporter) — Hancock supplies the decisive backing for the Pacific expedition.

  Hancock becomes enthusiastic about supporting Charles's project, and his support enables Charles and Ulm to raise the necessary money.

• Charles Kingsford-Smith → Charles Ulm (Alliance Flight Partner) — Ulm is Charles's principal aviation collaborator in the Pacific venture.

  Charles meets Ulm, who also wants to fly across the Pacific, and the two break aviation records and later cross the Pacific together.

Story Analysis

A pioneering aviator pursues extraordinary Pacific flights while facing financial setbacks, personal losses, and escalating danger.

Plot Progression

1. Aviator Forged by War — Charles recovers from a wound suffered over the Western Front and receives the Military Cross. After the war, he commits himself to a future built around flying.
2. Dream Across the Pacific — Charles is blocked from the England-Australia Air Race and turns toward a Pacific crossing. He visits Harold in San Francisco, meets Kay, and fails to secure initial funding.
3. Partners and Sponsors — Charles joins forces with Charles Ulm and uses record flights to attract attention. Despite financial setbacks and Wilkins's warning, Hancock's support finally makes the expedition possible.
4. The Great Crossing — Charles says goodbye to Kay and crosses the Pacific with Ulm and two Americans in The Southern Cross. The successful flight makes Charles internationally famous.
5. Glory and Decline — Charles survives a desert crash and later struggles to establish an airline after the loss of The Southern Cloud and the loss of the airmail contract. He continues record flights despite increasingly...
6. The Final Disappearance — After nearly dying on a flight to New Zealand, Charles retires The Southern Cross. In 1935, he attempts another Australia-to-England flight and disappears over the Indian Ocean.