Rare "1927 Schneider Trophy" Print - Signed By Pilot
SOLD
Very attractive original print depicting the British 1927 Schneider Trophy seaplane entrant, the Supermarine S5 (No. N 220). Signed in ink by the pilot of this aircraft (who also won the contest), Flight Lieutenant S. N. Webster. Dated 18th June 1927.
The print shows Flt. Lt. Webster's Supermarine S5 in flight, it bears the name of the artist, "Coombe Richards - 1927" and also the caption "Ad Astra" (which is part of the RAF's motto and translates as "To The Stars"). It is signed in ink by Webster, "With All Good Wishes. Webbie. 18/6/27". The print is in it's original frame and still has remnants of the original label on its reverse which reads, "The Supermarine Napier S5". Dimensions : 383mm x 273mm. Nice condition.
The Schneider Trophy series were without doubt the most famous and prestigious seaplane races ever held. They were started in 1913 by the French Industrialist, Jacques Schneider and were to continue until won three times in five years by the same flying club/country. They ended in 1931 when they were won outright for Royal Aero Club of Great Britain by Flight Lieutenant John Boothman flying the famous Supermarine S6B. The Supermarine seaplanes (S4, S5, S6 & S6B) were specially designed by R. J. Mitchell to take part in the Schneider races and were the basis for the famous W.W.II. British fighter, the Supermarine Spitfire.
The 1927 Schneider Trophy race was held at Venice, Italy on the 26th September. This race included entrants from Great Britain, Italy and U.S.A. The British team consisted of two Supermarine S5's, a Gloster IVB and a Bristol Crusader. The race was won for Great Britain by Flight Lieutenant S. N. Webster in the S5 (N 220) at an average speed of 281.54 mph.
Sidney Norman Webster was born on 9th March 1900 and joined the Royal Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant on 27th September 1918. In April 1927 he was selected as one of the pilots for the new high speed flight which was formed at Felixstowe, England to provide aircraft and crew for the Schneider Trophy contests. In September 1927 he won the contest at Venice in a Supermarine S5 (N 220). As well as also being the captain of Ipswich Town football club, he remained in the RAF, progressing through the ranks until he was made Air Vice Marshal in 1947. He retired in 1950 and died in April 1984 at the age of 84.
The artist who painted the original watercolour from which this print was reproduced also produced the illustrations which were used in the official British programmes for the Schneider events.
For more information on The Schneider Trophy Races, please click on the link below :
Inventory No. A-53
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