"THE SCHNEIDER TROPHY: ADVANCES IN AVIATION 1913-1931"
The Schneider Trophy was originally conceived before the
World War One as a competition
to encourage the development of aircraft capable of operating
quickly and safely across oceans
with a useful payload. In the 1920's, however,
qualities of range and seaworthiness were
progressively set aside as it grew into an outright trial
of speed. It was a challenge the
governments of four nations found it difficult to ignore,
and one which had unexpected
consequences during World War Two.