'Initially there were 77 entries in the Race, but only 60 managed to complete the course '

'Initially there were 77 entries in the Race, but only 60 managed to complete the course '

Mike Mahon reflects on the participants of the Air race.

Mike Mahon

Trinity College Dublin

1969

This item is protected by original copyright

This content may be downloaded and used (with attribution) for research, teaching or private study. It may not be used for commercial purposes without permission.

Mike Mahon

Work and Employment

Life Story

Belfast

1960s

Initially there were 77 entries in the Race, but only 60 managed to complete the course. There were 3 classes: A, single piston - engined; B. unsupercharged twin piston - engined up to12,500 lbs and C supercharged or twin turboprop up to 12,500lbs AUW . The overall winner was an Islander, G - AXUD,, flown by Capts. W J Bright and F L Buxton in 80. 17 mins. Most of the entrants were Australian , British and American, but for a small country there were two other entries of Irish interest; Tim Phillips in a Twin Commanche, EI - AUN, and Capt Arthur Wignall of Aer Lingus in another Twin Commanche. Unfortunately Arthur was killed some years later giving an aerobatic display at Sligo Airport. I was encouraged to write this account of The Air Race having seen a similar article by our old Aussie rival John Colwell. I contacted him after all these years by email and was sorry to learn that his own co - pilot John Daley had been killed in an air accident shortly after the race.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)