Product Review

Established by French financier and aviation enthusiast, Jacques Schneider, in 1912, the Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider (commonly called the Schneider Trophy) was the catalyst behind the rapid progression of the maritime aviation industry. The annual race along a triangular course of 280 km (later 350 km) attracted crowds of up to 200,000 and quickly became the subject of commercial rivalries and national pride. It instigated a thirst for pioneering design in aviation that eventually led to the development of such aircraft as the British Supermarine Spitfire, the American P-51 Mustang, and the Italian Macchi C.202 Folgore. Over the course of 30 years, Ralph Pegram has extensively researched each of the 100+ aircraft that participated in the contest for the Schneider Trophy from its inception in 1912 to the last race in 1934. The construction, testing and performance of each aircraft and engine is described in detail, with the help of over 120 1:72-scale 3-view drawings from the author's personal collection, most of which are previously unpublished. In addition to this, Pegram describes the individual stories of the pilots, many of whom died in their bid for glory, the fascinating political dynamics underlying each contest, and the rivalries and partnerships that led to the development of some of the most famous models of aircraft ever produced. Schneider Trophy Seaplanes and Flying Boats is the most comprehensive work to have been published on the subject since the early 1980s; the result of decades of research, and supported by unique diagrams, numerous maps, tables, posters and over 100 photographs, it is essential reading for any aviation enthusiast.