King's Cup Race
The King's Cup Race is a since 1922 been transmitted in Britain air race.
History
The race was founded by George V. The aim of the race was to give the development of light aircraft and aircraft engines in the UK impulses. Eligible were originally only aircraft that had been built in the United Kingdom or in a country of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was only in 1961, this restriction was lifted. In fact, in the following year with the Tipsy Nipper won for the first time a foreign aircraft the race. The DRUINE D.31, with John de M. Severne 1960 won the race, though was a French construction, since the aircraft but was supplied as a kit and had to be assembled by the customer, the rule has been circumvented. Foreign aircraft dominated in the coming years, the King's Cup Race, only occasionally interrupted by successes British airplanes. With the Miles Sparrowjet won in 1957 for the first time a jet aircraft the race. 1967 was a modified fighter aircraft from the period of World War II victors. In addition to modified military aircraft such as the Glos - Airtourer T4, experimental buildings like the LeVier Cosmic Wind, as well as sports and business aircraft went from the 1960s light aircraft like the Cessna 172 or Cessna 340 at the start, but also took part timers like the de Havilland DH87 successfully in the race.
Eligible are also only pilots from the United Kingdom or a Commonwealth country.
The race is discharged as overland race in the UK. Here, a handicap rating applies. The first race, over a distance of 810 miles from London - Croydon airport to Glasgow in Scotland and back. Winner of the first race was Frank Barnard, chief pilot of the Instone Air Line, on a passenger aircraft converted to Airco DH4. In 1930 ended with Winifred Brown became the first woman the race as the winner after 1927, female pilots had gone to the starting line for the first time. With 88 participants, a record number of participants was set up in 1930.
The race is held annually since 1922. Only during the Second World War 1939-1945 No races were held in 1951, the race was due to bad weather. The route is changed this year. During the race in the 1920s and 1930s, was designed as a long-distance races and distances from 700 to 1500 Meilen had to be completed, was flown only rarely after the end of World War II on routes over 100 miles.