The Quest for Speed (Paperback)

Paperback. Air Racing and the Influence of the Scheider Trophy Contests 1913-31 A new study into the impact of the Schneider Trophy and air racing upon twentieth-century aircraft design This new book charts the impact of the Schneider Trophy on aircraft design, and how air racing focused both flying skills and aircraft capability. In the early 20th century, interest in flying, building and competing aircraft developed at a furious pace. The Trophy's enforced break during the First World War saw the loss of some of the pilots and an increased focus on speed in aircraft construction; when the contests restarted in 1919, a new breed of pilots took part, with combat and aerobatic experience. During the 'Golden Years of Aviation' there were clashes between government sponsorship and private venture, and resounding defeats that focused designers such as Reginald Mitchell into designing specific racing machines. The government eventually began to sponsor the British entries and the RAF High-Speed Flight was formed to fly the racers, finally winning the Trophy outright in 1931, when the shadow of war was looming. AUTHOR: Mike Roussel has previously written 'Joe Smith: Spitfire's Forgotten Designer' for The History Press, as well as co-authoring 'Shipwrecks of the Cunard Line' and 'The Union Castle Line'. He is an active supporter of Solent Sky. SELLING POINTS: . New research details the races, aircraft, constructors and pilots . Packed with illustrations, many from the Solent Sky Museum . Includes accounts by some of the pilots who took part . Contributions from Solent Sky Aviation Museum on the development of the Supermarine S6A N248, and how later machines helped in developing the Spitfire . An important investigation into how air racing and warfare have influenced aircraft design . It is 85 years since the British entry won the 1931 Trophy 190 b/w, 18 colour illustrations, 8 colour plates Year by year, dramatic improvements in the winning speeds often breaking records charted the progress made, and this eventually had a great impact on the development of fighter aircraft in the Second World War and the future of the air industry alike. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.…