The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race. Dec 1st to Dec 31st 2024

[ianfisher 101]

The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to Melbourne Air Race) took place in October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. The race was devised by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, and the prize money of £15,000 was provided by Sir Macpherson Robertson, a wealthy Australian confectionery manufacturer. In addition a gold medal was awarded to each pilot who completed the course within 16 days.

The race ran from RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, approximately 11,300 miles. There were five compulsory stops, at Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin, and Charleville, Queensland; otherwise the competitors could choose their own routes. A further 22 optional stops were provided with stocks of fuel and oil provided by Shell and Stanavo.

The basic rules were: no limit to the size of aircraft or power, no limit to crew size, and no pilot to join the aircraft after it had left England. Aircraft had to carry three days' rations per crew member. There were prizes for the outright fastest aircraft (£10,000 and a trophy, £1,500 and £500) and for the best performance on a handicap formula (£2000 and £1000) by any aircraft finishing within 16 days.

The start was set at 0630 on 20 October 1934. By then, the initial field of over 60 had been reduced to 20, including three purpose-built de Havilland DH.88 Comet racers, two of the new generation of American all-metal airliners, and a mixture of earlier racers, light transports, and old bombers.

A DH.88 flown by Flight lieutenant C. W. A. Scott and Captain Tom Campbell Black went on to win in a time of less than three days, despite flying the last stage with one engine throttled back because of an oil-pressure indicator giving a faulty low reading. Both second and third quickest times were taken by airliners, the KLM Douglas DC-2 PH-AJU Uiver and Roscoe Turner's Boeing 247D. Both completed the course in less than a day more than the winner; KLM's DC-2 was even flying a regular route with passengers.

Members of the A2A Misfit Squadron are recreating the race during the month of December. The decision about which aircraft to take will be any aircraft that first flew before 1936.

We'll be adhering to all the other rules as stipulated by the organising committee. Timing for each leg is from when brakes are released on the take off roll to when the wheels stop rotating after touch down.

Race start RAF Mildenhall EGUN
Race End Essendon Airport YMEN

Compulsory stops

1. Baghdad ORBI
2. Allahabad (Prayagrj) VEAB
3. Singapore WSSS
4. Darwin YPDN
5. Charleville YBCV

Local time at pilots but please use live weather so it's fair for everyone.

That's it. You have a month to fly the race, just log your timings for each leg and the fewest number of hours wins the prize. Document your flight with words and photos and post in the Misfit area of the A2A Discord.

[ianfisher 101]

Addendum to rules.

For each and every fuel stop outside of the compulsory stops a penalty of 30 minutes shall be added to the overall time.

[ianfisher 101]

The Race Window is now open