After all, she was on the spot at the time, both for the landing and take-off of the famous aircraft.

Mrs Thompson was impressed by the illusion mural created by New Zealand artist Marc Spijkerbosch in the new Uiver Cafe at the airport.

It depicts several of the 1934 players such as KLM Captain Dirk Parmentier, journalist Clifton Mott and Albury mayor Alfred Waugh, although Mrs Thompson believes Mr Waugh didn’t look quite like the bloke in the mural.

Mrs Thompson has mixed memories of the rescue.

She recalled the excitement of driving to the racecourse with her younger brother, Ted Reis, who was one of Albury’s first pilots.

But it also reminded her that as Flying Officer E.L. Reis, he was killed on active service with the RAAF in India in 1942, aged 24.

Mr Spijkerbosch has been painting murals and oils full-time for 12 years, creating a three-dimensional effect on a flat surface in a process he says tricks the viewer.

Council general manager Les Tomich said the mural was part of a $50,000 commemoration of the Uiver incident in the airport upgrade, include special cafe tables and signage related to the Uiver.

“It’s been very good value for money,” Mr Tomich said.