1936 Kings Cup Air Race

Lord Swinton hands the King’s Cup to Mr Charles Gardener in the presence of Mr. Lindsay Everard

FLYING a four-seater Percival Vega Gull (Gipsy Six  engine) entered by Sir Connop Guthrie, C. E. Gardner won the fifteenth air race for the King’s Cup last Saturday at an average sped of 164,47 m.p.h., covering the 312 miles (twelve laps) of the Final course in 1hr. 51m. 16s. Accompanied by Mr. Charles Guthrie, son of the entrant, he flew a very consistent course both in the Final and in Friday’s Eliminating Race, in which he averaged 160.75 m.p.h. for the 1,224 Miles. Starting sixth in the Final, he worked his way into the lead by the eighth lap, and was not caught by any of the back-markers.

Second was Flt. Lt. “Tommy” Rose, in a Miles Hawk (Gipsy Six) entered by Lady Wakefield, He averaged 184 m.p.h., covering the course of the Final in 1hr. 39m. 21s., and finishing 2m. 13s behind Gardner. Starting last but one of the fourteen competitors, he reached second place by the start of the twelfth lap.

Third was Flt. Lt. J. B. Wilson, in the new high-wing six-seater B. A. Double Eagle (two Gipsy Sixes), entered by Lord Willoughby de Broke.  He averaged 181.13 m.p.h., finishing 36s.behind Rose, having worked his way up from twelfth place at the start.

The first, second and third competitors received Lord Wakefield’s cash prizes of £500, £200 and £100 respectively.

Capt. E. W. Percival, flying the Percival Mew Gull entered by H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, finished fourth from a scratch start, averaging 206.12 m.p.h.—the highest speed of the race—and making the fastest lap at 210.83 m.p.h.

Gardner, the winner, is an enthusiastic private owner who has competed in several races during the past year or two. He won the Siddeley Trophy in last year’s race, and flew to India this year to compete in the Viceroy’s Trophy Race. He had his ab initio training at Surrey Flying Services, and from there graduated to a course at Air Service Training, Ltd.