SCHNEIDER CUP

Northern Advocate, 23 September 1927, Page 5

SCHNEIDER CUP

INTENSE INTEREST IN SUNDAY’S RACE. TERRIFIC TRIAL SPEED. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, September 22. Reports from Venice state that interest is increasing in the Schneider Cup race on Sunday. Both teams held trial flights under perfect conditions yesterday. Two British machines flew all morning at high speeds, pleasing the experts. British airmen deny reports that their machines reach speeds of 325 miles an hour, and say that the reports are mere guesswork. None of the trials has been over a measured mile.

The Italians continue to complain that their engine is not working at the expected speed. Sunday’s race will be the severest test. The machines must make seven circuits of a 80-mile triangular course. —A. and N.Z.

This year’s Schneider Cup race will be, practically speaking, an aerial contest between international Governments. The British Service team will be under the command of Air Vice-Marshal F. E. Scarlett, Air Officer Commanding Coastal Area, E.A.F. Britain will further be represented by Lieut.-Colonel Morvyn O’Gorman and Lieut.-Commander H, E. Perrin (representing the Royal Aero Club) and by Major J. 9, Buchanan, of the Air Ministry, The Service team will comprise SquadronLeader L, H. Blatter, Flight-Lieuten-ants S. M. Kinkead, S. N. Webster, O. E. Worsley and Flying-Officer H. M. Schofield. The Under-Secretary for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, and the Director of Civil Aviation, Sir Sefton Brancker, and a party of officials will fly from England to Venice for the contest in the new SaundersBristol commercial flying boat Medina. This is driven by two 450 h.p. Bristol-.Tupiter engines, and has been designed for the marine branch of Imperial Airways. The machine can carry 10 passengers in its luxurious cabin, and a speed of 115 miles an hour can be attained.

Previous contests for the trophy resulted: — 1913. —France: M. Prevost in a De-perdussin-Gnome, at an average speed of 40 miles an hour. 1914. —Britain: Mr G. H. Pixton in a Sopwith-Gnomc, 75 miles an hour. 1920. —ltaly: Lieutenant Bolonga in a Sa.voia-Ansaldo, 500 h.p., SO miles an hour. 1921. —ltaly: De Briganti in a Maechi Isotta Fraschihi, 200 h.p,, 118 miles an hour. 1922. —Britain: Captain Biard in a Supermarine-Napier, 450 h.p., 141 miles an hour. 1923. —United States: Lieutenant Rittenhouse in a Curtiss, 465 h.p., 177 H miles an hour. 1924. —Race declared void. 1925. United States: Lieutenant J. Doolittle in a Curtiss, 510 h.p., 2324 miles an hour. 1926. —ltaly: Major Marco di Bernard! in a Macehi, 520 h.p., Fiat, 246.4 miles an hour. The trophy is an object of art valued at 25,000 francs. There is no longer any money prize, but entry fees are shared by the first three.