'Centenary Air Race 1934' - souvenir badge

« Prev Item Next Item »

1934

Overview

Circular tin badge featuring the greyscale photographic image of head and shoulders of C.W.A. Scott (Charles William Anderson Scott), who was the speed winner of the 1934 Centenary Air Race, behind his plane, the De Havilland DH88 Comet.
The badge is cream in colour with dark grey lettering and border. The words 'Centenary Air Race' are in a semicircle at the top of the badge, while 'Speed Winner is in the lower semicircle. The pilot's name, 'C.W.A. Scott' is under his portrait and the year 1934 is split into two, '19' and '34', either side of hs image.
The reverse of the badge is metal. The upper cream surface folds over from the top and has the maker's details printed on it. The badge is missing its attachment pin.

Historical information

The Centenary Air Race was conceived by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith, as part of the celebrations recognising the centenary of Melbourne.
It was sponsored by the Australian confectionary maker, MacPherson Robertson (known as MacRobertson). As part of this support, he insisted that the race include his name, so it was alternatively known as 'The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race' or the 'London to Melbourne Air Race'.
The race ran from RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, with 5 compulsory stops en route at Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin, and Charleville, Queensland. Otherwise the route chosen was up to the pilots and crews.

More of the history of the event is attached as a link.

There are several other items relating to this Air Race in the collection.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00245

Item type

Themes

Recreation
Social History
Transport