The Air Ministry Competition for Commercial Aircraft, held in 1920 at Martlesham Heath and Felixstowe, was an attempt to stimulate the growth of Civil Commercial Aviation after the end of the First World War. Rules for the competition were issued, but no official specifications were raised. The competition was divided into three categories:-
Large Aircraft (Landplanes). Entrants as follows:-
Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - D.H.18, G-EARI, c/n 1. - Did not take part.
Central Aircraft Co. Ltd. - Centaur IIA, G-EAPC, c/n 102.
Handley-Page Ltd. - W.8, G-EAPJ, c/n W.8-1.
Vickers Ltd. - Vimy Commercial, G-EAUL, c/n 40.
Small Aircraft (Landplanes). Entrants as follows:-
Austin Motor Co. Ltd. - Kestrel, G-EATR, c/n unknown.
A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. - Type 547A Triplane, G-EAUJ, c/n 547A/1.
Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. - Type 36 Seely Puma, G-EAVE, c/n 5370.
Sopwith Aviation Co. Ltd. - Antelope, G-EASS, c/n w/o 3398.
Westland Aircraft Works. - Limousine III, G-EARV, c/n W.A.C.8.
William Beardmore & Co. Ltd. - W.B.X, G-EAQJ, c/n 5442. - Withdrawn after one flight.
Seaplanes/Amphibians. Entrants as follows:-
Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. - Fairey III, G-EALQ, c/n F.128.
S.E.Saunders Ltd. - Kittiwake, G-EAUD, c/n 101. - Did not arrive in time.
Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd. - Amphibian Mk.I, G-EAVE, c/n 1152.
Vickers Ltd. - Viking Mk.III, G-EAUL, c/n unknown.
William Beardmore & Co. Ltd.- W.B.IX, G-EAQI, c/n unknown. - Not completed.
Regards Bailey.
P.s More on the other competitions to follow.
