Twenty aircraft. Half a world ahead. One extraordinary race.

 

At dawn on 20 October 1934, the MacRobertson Air Race began at Mildenhall, Suffolk. Ahead lay thousands of miles of unfamiliar terrain, uncertain weather and a relentless test of aircraft and crew.

 

The destination was Melbourne. The ambition was to get there first.

 

Among the contenders were three de Havilland DH88 Comets. With their slender fuselages, sweeping wings and tiny cockpits, these purpose-built racers brought speed and elegance to one of aviation’s greatest adventures.

 

It was the scarlet Grosvenor House, flown by C. W. A. Scott and Tom Campbell Black, that claimed victory, reaching Melbourne in just 70 hours and 54 minutes.

 

This October, I’m celebrating that extraordinary race with Race Ace: my tribute to the unmistakable DH88 Comet, its beautiful lines and the daring spirit of the golden age of flight.