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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0773.PDF
OCTOBER 6, 1927 [" FLIGHT " Photograph RETURN OF THE SCHNEIDER TEAM : On their arrival at Croydon the pilots were officially welcomed by the IJnder-Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond, and a number of distinguished representatives of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Royal Aero Club, the Air League and the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. Our photograph shows, from'left to right, Flight-Lieut. Kinkead, Sir Philip Sassoon, Flight-Lieut. Webster, the winner of the Schneider Race, Flight-Lieut. Worsley (who finished second in the race), Sir John Salmond, and Squadron-Leader Slatter. recollected that in our Editorial Comment on September 22, we referred to this team spirit, and pointed out that in it lay a tremendous strength). He paid a very high tribute to the sportsmanship, courtesy and hospitality of the Italians, and expressed the hope that on the next occasion they (the Italians) might have better luck. Asked whether this year the pilots had felt any ill-effects of cornering at high speed. Air Vice-Marshal Scarlett said that they had not. They suffered a little from exhaust gases, but a glass of milk and a little oxygen soon put them right again. The English method of cornering had proved quicker than the Italian. He thought that in the near future a speed of 300 m.p.h. would certainly be attained. The Schneider Trophy team, consisting of Air Vice-Marshal Scarlett, Squadron-Leader Slatter, Flight-Lieuts. Webster, Worsley and Kinkead, and Flying-Officer Schofield, then left the Croydon Air Port amid renewed cheering, on their way to the Royal Air Force Club, where brother officers waited to welcome and congratulate them. We gather that the welcome was worthv of the best traditions of the R.A.F. THE SCHNEIDER TROPHY RACE [OWING to a delay in the transport arrangements, the account of the Schneider Trophy Contest, written by our Special Correspondent at Venice, did not reach us in time for last week's issue of FI.IOHT. Fortunately Maj. F. A. de V. Robert- son, who was one of the British correspondents present at Venice, was able to fill the breach at the eleventh hour with the excellent story of the race that appeared in onr last issue. Our correspondent's account is now to hand, and as it contains several additional items and details of interest, we publish his version below, which runs as follows.—Ed.] The Race Venice. 26.9.27 IT is not without some degree of difficulty that one begins to write of the great victory, realising that by the time these notes are read the necessary time will have elapsed to give us a proper perspective upon the exciting happenings that we have witnessed over the Lido today. As one writes, the babble of many tongues proclaims the enormous interest which this year's race for the Schneider Trophy has aroused among the big crowd which was able to witness it. Expressions of congratulation, of joy, and of regret are heard on every hand, and there is no doubt that this year's race has proved to be the greatest of the whole series. " After the strong wind and rough water of yesterday, it came as rather a surprise this morning to find that the weather had improved sufficiently to render the race possible, although conditions were hardly ideal. A somewhat overcast sky indicated a possibility of rain, but fortunately the really bad weather did not return until just after the race had been run. At 11 a.m. it was announced that the race would definitely start at 2.30 p.m., and the patrolling destroyers left their berths taking up their positions along the course. Overhead, two " duck " formations of Caproni biplanes gave a superb exhibition until almost starting time, and a note of interest was introduced by the appearance of one of the big Junkers monoplanes on its way to Rome with a load of passengers and mail. Meantime the loud speakers were broadcasting brief particulars of the contest, together with a few historical notes—a happy idea. The British pilots left the " Excelsior Palace " Hotel at 12.30 p.m. by motor launch, and received a very hearty send off from the large crowd that had assembled on the terrace. At 1.40 p.m. the loud speakers announced the fact that all competitors had left their hangars, and were on their way to the starting line, at Canale Tre Porti. It should be pointed out that this latter was not the starting line for the race proper, but merely the " take-off " point. In order to facilitate the timing arrangements, it had been decided to allow each competitor exactly 10 minutes grace from the word " go " at Canale Tre Porti to the crossing of the timed starting line at the " Excelsior " tribune. This meant that providing a pilot crossed the timing line within this prescribed 10 minutes, his timing for the race would commence at that instant. Any time taken after the 10 minutes grace would count against him. This system was very successful, and it may be recorded. 695
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