1933 DEFYING GRAVITY
As the clouds part over the Himalayas, the four men of the Houston-Mount Everest expedition team become the first to see the world’s highest mountain from above. Headed by RAF squadron leader Douglas DouglasHamilton, or Lord Clydesdale, in a modified Westland PV-3 biplane, the pioneering flight is a test for man and machine – and the cameras on board. Dust prevents any usable images being taken, so Clydesdale and the team go up again on 19 April and capture a collection of awe-inspiring photos and footage. It would be another 20 years before Everest is conquered by foot.
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