Jean Batten smashes Australia to England record by 14 1/2 hours. After battling exhaustion and gales on her last gruelling lap, Jean Batten, the New Zealand air girl, was welcomed by cheering crowds when she landed at Croydon after breaking Jim Broadbent's Australia to England record by 14 1/2 hours. She had landed at Lympne, completing first solo flight in five days 18 hours, and came onto Croydon. Photo shows, Jean Batten in the cockpit of a plane at Croydon, with a bouquet. 24 October 1937