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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0761.PDF
17 SEPTEMBER 29, 1927 Congratulations and tributes have also been numerousfrom the Italian side. One of the first to congratulate the British team was Gen. Balbo (Italian Under-Secretary ofState for Air). Among the many distinguished spectators were the ItalianCrown Prince, the Duke of Bergamo, the Duke of Spoleto, Col. the Marchese di Pinedo, Sig. Marconi, Gen. Andriani(Chief of Italian Air Force), Count Volpi, Sir Sefton Brancker, etc. On September 28, the British team was entertained at aluncheon by the Royal Italian Aero Club. Prince Di Scalea, who presided, proposed the toasts of " The King of England "and " British Aviation." The Italian Aero Club handed over the Schneider Trophyto the British team. The actual Trophy could not be pre- sented as it was too heavy, but the ceremony was carried outsymbolically. Prince Scalea, who is President of the Italian Aero Club, voiced the intense admiration for the great feat sent Flight-Lieut. Webster a beautiful gold ring. Each ofthe three British pilots were also presented with a small, beautifully chased silver cigarette case by the poet. The British pilots returned thanks to Gabriele D'Annunziofor his lovely gifts in the following message :—" To Gabriele D'Annunzio, soldier, poet, brave aviator during the war,British pilots render thanks, moved and proud that their names should be linked together on this occasion." The winning Supermarine-Napier S.5 will be used by theAir Ministry for further experiments in high-speed flying. The British team will be welcomed home by Sir SamuelHoare and representatives of the Royal Aero Club, Royal Aeronautical Society, Society of British Aircraft Constructors,and the Air League of the British Empire. The official celebration of the victory will take the form ofa Government luncheon by the Air Ministry, at which Sir Samuel Hoare will preside on October 4. Idroscale Delia Schirara, where the Italians tested their Schneider defenders in secret. of the.English pilots. He said: "The Venetian sky hasseen many noble sights and valorous deeds in the past, and it is indeed fit that in this same Venetian sky English pilotsshould have won a victory which stirred the imagination of the whole world. In the past and in the present thespirit of emulation has inspired airmen to ever greater achievements, and in the future the same spirit will drivethem forward to ever new conquests. We hope that we shall again win this Trophy, but in the meantime no wordsof praise can be too high "for the skill, bravery and daring of the British victors." When Flight-Lieut. Webster rose toexpress his appreciation of the Italian welcome on his victory, he blushed, and in a few simple words proposed thetoast of the Italian competitors. It is highly probable that the winning Supermarine-Napier S.5 will be on exhibition in London for the public's inspec- tion . In view of her age, Mrs. Webster, of Walsall, mother ofFlight-Lieut. Webster, has decided not to come to London to welcome her victorious son. His native town of Walsall is preparing him a Civic welcomewhen he can get leave from the R.A.F. to attend. Gabriele D'Annunzio, the famous Italian airman-poet Lord Thomson will preside at the banquet to be given laterbv the Roval Aero Club and other aeronautical associations. Sir Phillip Sassoon, Under-Secretary for Air, arrived back atLympne from Venice by air on September 28. He had been struck by the number of R.A.F. officers who had managed toget to Venice to see the race. Miss Spooner, whilst returning alone from the contest inher Moth, made a forced landing in the streets of Albaros, capsizing it, but with no injury to herself. A mighty crowd is expected at Croydon on Saturday, whenhe and his fellow competitors arrive at Croydon, at 2.15 p.m., from Paris by air, A large force of police will be inattendance. The Earl of Dartmouth, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire,in a letter to the Mayor of Walsall, referring to Flight-Lieut. Webster, said : " I join with Walsall in her pride of the greatperformance of one of her sons and share in the congratula- tions to him." His fellow R.A.F. officers have promised to give our heroa very good time when he returns. 68%
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