AFTER THE FLIGHT  

On their return to England Alcock and Brown received a hero's welcome. They posed for photographs after their historic flight and the newspapers described their adventure.

Alcock and Brown returning to London, after their historic flight, 1919.
Acknowledgements Vickers PLC  

Once the team was back in London the Daily Mail newspaper celebrated their successful flight by holding a luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. On the menu were such dishes as Oeufs Pochés Alcock (Poached egg Alcock!) and Poulet de Printemps à la Vickers Vimy (Vickers Vimy Spring Chicken!) It was here Alcock, Brown and the Vickers firm received their prize money of £10,000. 

Menu from the celebratory luncheon in honor of the first transatlantic flight.
Acknowledgements: Savoy Hotel/Daily Mail Newspaper

During their journey Alcock and Brown carried several letters with them. By flying mail across the Atlantic the team also achieved another historic first. They brought the first transatlantic airmail to Britain.

Alcock and Brown holding the mail, which they flew across the Atlantic, 1919. 
Copyright Daily Mail/ Hulton Getty Picture Library  

Alcock and Brown accepted their hero's welcome in a dazed state. All the crowds and confusion were in sharp contrast to the lonely isolation in the plane. Brown described the day:  

"Of the warm-hearted welcome of the people of London, I have confused recollections that include more receptions, more stormy greetings and an exciting drive to the Royal Aero Club. Alcock delivered to the postal authorities the mail-bag from St.John's, with regrets that it had not been possible to fly direct to London with the letters."  

After the celebrations it was decided by Vickers and Rolls Royce that the Vimy plane should be given to the nation. On 15 December 1919 the plane was handed over to the Science Museum, where members of the public had the opportunity to view this record breaking machine - and still do today.

The Vickers Vimy plane at the Science Museum,1919 & 1998.
Copyright Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library/Vickers PLC