Random Article Summary #44

The Schlesinger African Air Race took place in September 1936 and was organized to promote the Empire Exhibition, South Africa. The race offered a total of £10,000 in prize money and had two sections: a speed race and a handicap race. However, the race had a restricted entry, only allowing British Empire crews and machines to participate, which resulted in a small number of competitors. Out of many aircraft, only one successfully completed the race. The winner of the race, C.W.A. Scott, arrived to find that most of the spectators had already left. Only nine out of the original 14 aircraft entered in the race took part. C. W. A. Scott and Giles Guthrie won the race in a Percival Vega Gull, being the only ones to finish. The rest of the entrants had various issues and forced landings, with one resulting in a fatal accident. Schlesinger proposed that the remaining prize money be given to the families of those involved in the fatal accident. British Pathe and ITN Newsreel recorded footage of the 1936 Portsmouth-Johannesburg Air Race, including the race itself and the welcome home of the participants. The footage also showed the race entrants and their aircraft.