Does anyone know much about this RAF aerobatic competition back in the 60’s?
I know it is still held now, but now as then i don’t know if there were any programmes of events etc, or is / was it all fairly informally run?
Was it covered by any enthusiast monthly publications in any detail back then ?
Were invited public allowed in, and does anyone know if Kew, station or CFS archives retain records / photographs?
Only asking as we have recently tracked down another ex pilot of our JP (XS186) who has it noted in his logbook that he took part in the WJ Trophy competition in 1966 at Little Rissington. A picture or article from somewhere with our old girl in it would be great!
Any help would be gratefully received.
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th January 2008 at 22:13
Wright Jubilee Trophy
Thanks kodak
Sounds like you have quite a bit of gen on the era tantalisingly close to the 1966 competition , but maybe just after that time?
The Brabyn Trophy – if that was limited to CFS participants it cuts out XS186 as she only took part on behalf of the College of Air Warfare, School of Refresher Flying, from Manby.
The RAF news / Air Clues is a good lead , anyone have back copies from 66 ?
Has anyone visited the library at Cranwell which i believe can be accessed by prior appointment ?
By: kodak - 15th January 2008 at 17:43
As you say the Wright Trophy is still awarded to the pilot who gives the best aerobatic sequence and is /was open to all Flying Training units. In the “olden” days it was open to all units and flown as a non public competition, the winner (usually a JP jock) could then fly the routine at airshows for that season. I believe that these days, with so few training units, the trophy is awarded to the best demo given at the P&TC display authorisation day at Cranwell. This is where the chosen Tutor, Tucano and Hawk pilots for the season present their sequence to the “brass” for authorisation to display at public events. Flt Lt Childs won it last year for his Hawk demo.
I dont think it has ever been a public event and from what I can recall from old magazines etc, didnt receive much coverage other than announcing the winner. The RAF news/Air clues on the other hand would,I imagine have covered it in more detail. there are definitely records kept, and from old airshow programmes I could probably account for the last 30 years….
The Brabyn Trophy was presented specifically to the best CFS aerobatic routine from 1952 and is now awarded to the best newcomer.
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January 14, 2008 at 2:04 pm