Hi all
Can anyone supply any details and or a photo of the Sir Philip Sassoon Trophy which was awarded by its namesake, who was Secretary of State for Air in the early 1930s. This trophy was awarded annually to the best RAF Squadron who performed a sequence of aerobatics all aircraft being tied together, and such other tasks as gunnery scores as well.
I understand 25 Squadron won it for keeps in 1936 after winning it for three years running but the trophy was lost during an air raid during the war. Any info or possible sources of reference would be much appreciated
By: Lion Rock - 15th March 2007 at 13:31
Sassoon Trophy
I have explored the book route Philip & Sybil and the author could not help me.
Sir Philip Sassoon was the Secretary of State for Air for about eight years from 1929 and also a member of one of the Aux Air Force Units possibly 600 Sqn. I will try to find out more ainfo about the Competition
Many thanks all for help to date!
By: J Boyle - 13th March 2007 at 20:13
Sounds like the Sassoon competition must have been a hair-raising experience.
Sorry.:D
By: Newforest - 13th March 2007 at 15:58
Philip Sassoon
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Sir Philip Albert Gustave David Sassoon, 3rd Baronet PC (4 December 1888-3 June 1939), was a British politician, art collector and social host, entertaining many celebrity guests at his home, Trent Park in North London, England.
Sassoon was a member of the prominent Sassoon and Rothschild families. His father was Sir Edward Albert Sassoon, 2nd Baronet, MP, son of Albert Abdullah David Sassoon; his mother was Aline Caroline, daughter of Baron Gustave de Rothschild. His sister was Sybil Sassoon, who married the Marquess of Cholmondeley.
The picture didn’t reproduce from the above link, but there is a book entitled ‘Sassoon’ ‘Philip and Sybil’ by Peter Stansky which might possibly give more information. Note correct spelling of Philip.
By: Lion Rock - 13th March 2007 at 08:43
Sir Phillip Sassoon Trophy
Thanks for the replies.
I believe we might be talking a different trophy, because this was a multi event comp with aerbatics, gunnery and various other disciplines involved. As ststed earlier it was won for keeps by 25 Sqn around 1936/38 and destryed during the war.
In terms of research I have come to a dead end, except perhaps goung through Aeroplane of Flight mags of the time and living in the North of England makes that difficult. Any other suggestions would be appreciated
By: Newforest - 12th March 2007 at 07:47
This link describes Gr. Capt. A.G. ‘Sailor’ Malan winning the 1938 ‘Sassoon Flight Attack Trophy’ as a flight leader. This was probably 74 Sqn.
By: Dave Homewood - 12th March 2007 at 01:42
I’m not sure that the trophy was handed to No. 25 Squadron for good in 1936, as a logbook I am going through has the pilot flying in the competition on the 20th and 21st of October 1938, in Hurricane L1585.
The first days is noted as “Sassoon Fighter Attack” and the second day is “Sassoon Trophy”.
On the 22nd of October he has written ‘Formation’. I don’t know if this is part of the trophy or his regular formation work. He was a member of the three-man No. 73 Squadron display team. His name was Dereck ‘Bill’ Kain.
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April 30, 2006 at 10:17 pm