King's Cup (air race)

The King's Cup air race is a British handicapped cross-country event, which has taken place annually since 1922. It is run by the Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association.

This article is about the British air race. For other uses, see King's Cup.

The King's Cup
Airco DH.4A (G-EAMU), after winning the first King's Cup air race, 1922
Awarded forHandicapped air race for light aircraft, and British or Commonwealth pilots
CountryInternational
Presented byHis Majesty King George V
First awarded1922
Last awarded2017
WebsiteRoyal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association

The King's Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes of the British air racing season. The entrants are divided into classes, and each is evaluated and given a time handicap for the start of the race. They all take off at varying times according to their handicap, with the handicappers' aim being that they should all cross the finishing line at the same moment. The art of winning the race outright is therefore to beat the handicappers, rather than to make the fastest flight as such.[1] The aircraft are also divided into classes, with a winner for each class as well as the outright winner.

History
Sir Philip Sassoon presents the King's Cup to the winner Winifred Brown in July 1930[2]

The King's Cup air race was established by King George V as an incentive to the development of light aircraft and engine design.[3] Initially, it was open to Commonwealth pilots only.[4]

The first King's Cup air race took place on 8 September 1922. It covered a distance of 810 miles from Croydon Aerodrome, south of London, to Glasgow, Scotland and back again after an overnight stop. The winner of this first race was Frank L. Barnard, chief pilot of the Instone Air Line, in a passenger-carrying Airco DH.4A.[5]

The 1939 race was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II, and the contest did not resume until 1949. The 1951 race was abandoned due to bad weather. In 1953, there was a fatal mid-air collision at the King's Cup Air Race meeting at Southend Airport, in which John Crowther, a hotelier from the Marine Hotel, Tankerton, Kent, was killed.

In 1961, for the first time, aircraft designed outside Great Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations were allowed to enter, after the 1960 race was won by a French designed but British built Druine Turbulent. Aircraft all-up-weight was limited to 12,500 lb, and the aircraft required to be British registered.[6]

Along with the former Schneider Trophy, and the current British Air Racing Championship, the King's Cup is one of the most sought-after prizes of the air racing season.

Races and winners
Source: Royal Aero Club,[7] except where noted.
Race Winner
Finish date Location of finish Distance
miles		 No. of
starters
 Winning pilot Aircraft type Registration Race
no.
 Avg.
speed
mph
9 September 1922[8] Croydon 810 22 Frank L. Barnard Airco DH.4A G-EAMU 123.6[9]
14 July 1923 RAF Hendon 794 17 Frank T. Courtney A.W. Siskin II G-EBEU 149
12 August 1924 Lee-on-Solent 950 10 Alan J. Cobham de Havilland DH.50 G-EBFN 106.6
4 July 1925 Croydon 1,608 14 Frank L. Barnard Armstrong Whitworth Siskin V G-EBLQ 141.7
10 July 1926 RAF Hendon 1,464 14 Hubert S. Broad de Havilland DH.60 Moth G-EBMO 90.4
30 July 1927 Hucknall 540 16 W. L. Hope de Havilland DH.60 Moth G-EBME 5 92.8
20 July 1928 Brooklands 1,097 36 W. L. Hope de Havilland DH.60 Moth G-EBYZ 7 105.5
6 July 1929 Heston 1,170 41 R. L. R. Atcherley Gloster Grebe II J7520 39 150
5 July 1930 Hanworth 753.25 88 Winifred Brown[8] Avro Avian III G-EBVZ 55 102.75
25 July 1931 Heston 983[10] 40 E. C. T. Edwards Blackburn Bluebird IV G-AACC 117.8
9 July 1932 Brooklands 1,223 42 W. L. Hope de Havilland Fox Moth G-ABUT 7 124.25
8 July 1933 Hatfield 831[11] 42 Geoffrey de Havilland de Havilland Leopard Moth G-ACHD 23 139.51
14 July 1934 Hatfield 801 41 Harry M. Schofield GAL Monospar ST-10 G-ACTS 15 134.16
7 September 1935 Hatfield 801 43 Tommy Rose Miles M.3B Falcon Six G-ADLC 176.28
11 July 1936 Hatfield 1,380 26 Charles E. Gardner Percival Vega Gull G-AEKE 6? 164.47
11 September 1937 Hatfield 1,443 27 Charles E. Gardner Percival Mew Gull G-AEKL 4 233.7
2 July 1938 Hatfield 1,102 19 Alex Henshaw Percival Mew Gull G-AEXF 22 236.25
30 July 1949 Elmdon 60 36 J. Nat Somers AFC Miles M.65 Gemini 3 G-AKDC 9 164.25
17 June1950 Pendeford 186 36 Edward Day Miles M.14 Hawk Trainer 3 G-AKRV 14 138.5
12 July 1952 Woolsington 131.2 12 C. Gregory Taylorcraft Plus D G-AHGZ 5 113.5
21 June 1953 Rochford 59.34 12 Pat Fillingham DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 G-AKDN 54 142
19 June 1954 Baginton 68 15 Harold Wood Miles M.38 Messenger 2A G-AKBO 38 133
20 August 1955 Baginton 68 15 Peter S. Clifford Percival Mew Gull G-AEXF 97 213.5
21 July 1956 Baginton 68 16 James H. Denyer Auster J/1N Alpha G-AJRH 7 124
14 July 1957 Baginton 40.6 35 Fred Dunkerley Miles M.77 Sparrowjet G-ADNL 98 228
12 July 1958 Baginton 71.6 21 James H. Denyer DH.82A Tiger Moth G-AIVW 30 118.5
11 July 1959 Baginton 72 21 A. J. Spiller Percival Proctor 3 G-AHFK 64 143
9 July 1960 Baginton 68.36 21 John de M. Severne Druine D.31 Turbulent G-APNZ 7 109
15 July 1961 Baginton 72 21 H. Brian Iles Miles M.18 G-AHKY 35 142
18 August 1962 Baginton 67.5 21 Peter S. Clifford Tipsy Nipper 2 G-ARDY 11 101
5 August 1963 Baginton 72 22 Paul G. Bannister Tipsy Nipper 3 G-APYB 10 102.5
1 August 1964 Baginton 72 22 Dennis M. Hartas LeVier Cosmic Wind G-ARUL 75 185
21 August 1965 Baginton 40 12 John Stewart-Wood Cessna 172C G-ARYS 34 131.5
12 August 1966 Baginton 66 16 John A.C. Miles DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 G-APTS 23 135
19 August 1967 Tollerton[12] 75 17 Charles B.G. Masefield N.A. P-51D Mustang N6356T 100 277.5
24 August 1968 Tollerton 79.2 16 F.R.E. Hayter DH.87B Hornet Moth G-ADKM 42 121
12 July 1969 Rochester 50 16 Robin D'Erlanger Druine D.31 Turbulent G-ASAM 3 99.5
28 June 1970 Tollerton 95 26 Mike Pruden Champion 7ECA Citabria N7566F 118 129.5
14 August 1971 White Waltham 155.5 30 J. Bradshaw Percival P.56 Provost G-AWPH 33 204.5
15 July 1972 Booker 120 58 Stan Warwick Glos-Airtourer T4 G-AZBE 95 164.5
9 September 1973 Cranfield 112.5 28 H.W. Bonner DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 G-ARWB 77
29 September 1974 Tees-side Jan Behrman Piper PA-24 Comanche[13] G-ARSK[14] 70? 186.6
28 September 1975 Baginton 68? 21 John Cull Bölkow Bo 208C Junior G-ATRI[15] 128.66
15 August 1976 Baginton 102 18 A.J. Spiller Cessna 180 G-ASIT 64 162.89
11 September 1977 Baginton 18 Andrew Chadwick Rollason Beta G-AWHX 33 197.19
17 September 1978 Thruxton 102 22 John Stewart-Wood Piper PA-34 Seneca G-BDRI 34 200.48
9 September 1979 Jurby, Isle of Man 25 Ian Dalziel Miles M.3A Falcon Major G-AEEG 54 136.3
21 September 1980 Finningley 103 A.J. Spiller Cessna 180 G-ASIT 64
19 September 1981 Finningley 103 22 Josephine O'Donnell Piper PA-18 Super Cub G-NICK 103 102
4 September 1982 Finningley Geoffrey Richardson Bolkow Bo 209 Monsun G-AZOB 104 154.81
17 September 1983 Finningley 105 29 Don Sainsbury Piper PA-28R Cherokee Arrow G-BKFZ[16] 166.54
15 September 1984 St Athan 110 18 Kenneth Fehrenbach Beagle Pup 100 G-AZDA 120.65[17]
15 September 1985 Shoreham G Franks SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 G-BDEN 69
31 August 1986 Thruxton S/Ldr Cliff Hilliker Scottish Aviation Bulldog XX631
4 September 1988 Leicester S/Ldr M Baker Scottish Aviation Bulldog XX631 14
3 September 1989 Leicester R Hayes/R Nesbitt Beagle Pup 150 / Aircoupe G-AXPN / G-ARHF
2 September 1990 Leicester Alf Hawley MS 80B Rally G-BKUT 50
1 September 1991 Leicester Steven Jones Cassutt Racer IIIM G-RUNT
6 September 1992 Leicester Peter Crispe Cessna 337F Skymaster G-AWVS 99
5 September 1993 Leicester Roger Hayes Scottish Aviation Bulldog G-BPCL 121 144.67
4 September 1994 Leicester Geoffrey Boot Cessna 340 N66SW 58 220
3 September 1995 Leicester David Soul Rockwell Commander 114 G-LADS> 54
1 September 1996 Leicester Edward Coventry Mudry CAP 10.B G-BLVK
7 September 1997 Leicester Melanie Willes Cessna 120 G-BTBW 40?
5 September 1999 Leicester Roger Hayes Scottish Aviation Bulldog G-BPCL 121 141.6
3 September 2000 Leicester Milan Konstantinovic Cessna 182R G-MISH 9
9 September 2001 Leicester John Spooner Cessna 182K G-CBIL
8 September 2002 Leicester Stephen Ollier Scottish Aviation Bulldog G-BCUS 69
6 September 2003 Leicester Geoffrey Boot Beagle Pup 150 G-TSKY 2? 131
12 September 2004 Leicester Phil Wadsworth Grumman AG-5B Tiger G-RICA 49
21 August 2005 Shobdon Roger Hayes Beagle Pup 150 G-TSKY 2
13 August 2006 Shobdon Nigel Reddish Vans RV-7 G-SEVN 777
1 July 2007 Sywell Neil Cooper Beagle Pup 150 G-IPUP 12
10 August 2008 Sywell Nigel Reddish Vans RV-7 G-SEVN 777
16 August 2009 Sywell Richard Marsden Vans RV-6 G-TNGO 23 190
15 August 2010 Sywell Roderick Morton Slingsby T.67 Firefly G-KONG 293
14 August 2011 Sywell 120 13 Malcolm Montgomerie Cessna 152 G-BJWH 72 116
19 August 2012 Shobdon 97 Gordon Bellerby Grumman AA-5B Tiger G-BFXW 82 124.5
18 August 2013 Shobdon 97 13 Geoffrey Boot SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 G-NRRA 31 204
17 August 2014 Shobdon 121 13 Michael Wingenroth Beagle Pup 150 G-TSKY 2 132.6
30 August 2015 Shobdon 121 16 Dr Roger-James Scholes Slingsby T.67 Firefly G-CILK 7
3 September 2016 Shobdon 97 12 Dominic Crossan Vans RV-6 G-OTRV 47 177.73
13 August 2017 Shobdon 97 15 Dominic Crossan Vans RV-6 G-OTRV 47 175.71
2018 No award[8]
2019 David Moorman[8]
2020 No contest[8]
2021 No contest[8]
30 September 2022 TBA

Notes
  1. Alex Henshaw, The Flight of the Mew Gull, Murray, 1980. p.95
  2. Flight magazine, July 1930
  3. "Winners | British Air Racing Championship". British Air Racing. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  4. Encyclopedia of Sport, Charles Harvey (ed.) - Purnell & Sons 1959
  5. Berliner (2013)
  6. Lewis 1971, p. 409
  7. King's Cup Winners (link broken), The '3Rs' (Records Racing and Rally Association), Royal Aero Club]. (Archive taken February 2021)
  8. "Winners | British Air Racing Championship". British Air Racing. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  9. Lewis 1971, pp. 128–129.
  10. route was Heston, Mousehold (Norwich), Sheerburn, Hooton, Heston, Bristol, Heston
  11. held as 13 heats
  12. Lewis 1971, pp. 432–434
  13. Racing at Tees-side
  14. Air-Britain News, November 1974, p. 121
  15. Civil Aviation Authority G-INFO database
  16. Air-Britain News, November 1983, p. 210
  17. "Beagle Pup wins King's Cup". Flight International, 29 September 1984, Vol. 126, No. 3927. p. 791.

References
  • Berliner, Don. "A Concise History of Air Racing". Society of Air Racing Historians. 6 March 2013. (retrieved 4 May 2022).
  • Lewis, Peter. British Racing and Record-Breaking Aircraft. London:Putnam, 1971. ISBN 0-370-00067-6
  • Tegler, John. International 1971 Air Racing Annual. USARA.
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