THE SCHNEIDER CUP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 April 1929, Page 4

THE SCHNEIDER CUP.

)No event, in the aviation world attracts so much attention among flying men as the yearly contest for the Schneider Trophy. To the public, ■except for the high speed attained, it may not appear as wonderful or spectacular as a long flight over wide ocean spaces, but the extraordinary skill and endurance required make the race one of particular moment to members of air services everywhere. The risks which have to. be faced were illustrated in the cape of that gallant British pilot, Flight-Lieutenant Kinkcad', who last year was seen suddenly 'to dive into the Southampton Water when going “all out.” The subsequent. inquiry into his death made it appear probable that he misjudged his height owing to the glassy surface of the sea at the time. This year the task of Britain’s air designers and pilots will be a stiff one, as competitors are coming from France, Italy, and the United States, all with machines capable of doing over 300 miles an hour. The contest will be flown over the Solent in September, and already satisfactory test flights have been carried out there by the Royal Air Force. In the latest British machine a speed of 1 340 to 360 miles an hour is aimed at and has been approached in practice. Solid grounds, therefore, exist for the hope that, notwithstanding formidable competition, the British team will be able to repeat the magnificent victory which they won in 1927, when FlightLieutenant Webster carried off the trophy at Venice with a speed of 2814 miles an hour.