Tour of Europe 1930

The 1930 European Tour (also known as the Challenge 1930 ) was the second FAI International Travel Airplane Competition (French: Challenge International de Tourisme) . It began on July 18 and ended on August 8, 1930 in Berlin , Germany . Four competitions, from 1929 to 1934, were major aviation events in Europe between the world wars.

overview

Germany organized the competition because the German pilot Fritz Morzik had won the competition a year earlier ( European tour in 1929 ). 60 aircraft took part in 1930. They came from six countries: Germany (30 crews), Poland (12 crews), United Kingdom (7 crews), France (6 crews), Spain (3 crews) and Switzerland (2 crews). It was the first major international aviation event in which a Polish team participated. This time the Italians weren't there.

In the German team was Fritz Morzik - a winner of the Challenge 1929 . In the British team the pilots were: Captain Hubert Broad (2nd place 1929), the Canadian John Carberry (3rd place 1929) and two women: Winifred Spooner and Lady Mary Bailey. Many other well-known pilots of the time participated in the competition.

The competition was opened on July 16, 1930 at the Berlin-Staaken airfield . It consisted of two parts: a race across Europe and technical studies. Since one of the objectives of the competition was to make progress in the design of the aircraft, it was not only a competition of pilots but also of engineering studies and manufacturing estimation to build more advanced touring aircraft. All aircraft flew with a two-man crew, a pilot and passenger or mechanic.

Airplanes before takeoff. Among other things, Hubert Broads Gipsy Moth G-AAHR can be recognized, in front of it is the Caudron C.193 F-AJSG

Planes

Most of the planes in the competition were popular sport aircraft of the late 1920s that also participated in the previous competition, such as the de Havilland Gipsy Moth DH-60G , which was the main aircraft for the British and Spanish teams. Most of the planes were open, low- wing , high- wing, or double-decker . In contrast to the previous competition, there were also some special aircraft that were better suited to the competition: the German BFW M23 and Klemm L 25 E, new variants of the successful machines from 1929 - wooden low-wing and monoplane with closed cockpit, with better chances in technical Studies. All aircraft in the competition had a fixed landing gear and no mechanized wings (slats or flaps).

Participating aircraft types: BFW M23c (10), BFW M23b (1), Klemm L 25 (4), Klemm L 25E (3), Klemm L 26 (2), Klemm VL 25 (1), Junkers A50 (3), Arado L II (4), Albatros L 100 (1), Albatros L 101 (1), Darmstadt D 18 (1), de Havilland Gipsy Moth DH-60G (6), Avro Avian (1), Spartan Arrow (1), Monocoupe 90 (1), RWD-2 (3), RWD-4 (3), PZL-5 (2), PWS -50 (1), PWS-51 (1), PWS-52 (1), PWS- 8 (1), Caudron C. 193 (3), Caudron C. 232 (1), Mauboussin 11 (1), Saint Hubert G1 (1), Breda Ba 15 (1), CASA C-1 (1).

The aircraft had alphanumeric start numbers, German: A2 – A9, B3 – B9, C1 – C9, D1 – D8, E1 – E9, F1 – F2, British: K1 – K8, French: L1 – L3, M1 – M6, Polish: O1 – O9, P1 – P5, Swiss: S1 and S2, Spanish: T1 – T7 (numbers were drawn in a circle with the inscription: Challenge International 1930 ).

Rally across Europe

The 1930 competition was the only challenge in which the rally started. It was a 7560 km rally over Europe. It ran through: Berlin - Frankfurt am Main - St. Inglevert near Calais - Bristol - London - St. Inglevert - Paris - Pau - Saragossa - Madrid - Seville - Saragossa - Barcelona - Lyon - Munich - Vienna - Prague - Wroclaw - Poznan - Warsaw - Koenigsberg - Gdansk - Berlin. The regularity of the flights was the most important factor, the second was cruising speed.

The rally started on July 20th. On the first day the fastest teams reached St. Inglevert, 1058 km away. On July 21st, the crews flew across the English Channel and the fastest aircraft managed to return to France. Three British and three French arrived in Paris on the same day.

On July 22nd, the fastest drivers reached Madrid , 3,019 km away from the start. There were three Englishmen Hubert Breit, A. Butler (both DH-60G ) and Sidney Thom ( Avro Avian ), John Carberry (Monocoupe 90), three Germans ( Fritz Morzik , Willy Polte - both BFW M.23c, Reinhold Poss - Klemm L 25 E) and two French (Francis Arrachart, Maurice Finite). Three other teams flew to Saragossa over the Pyrenees . The rest was spread over the whole route, with the slowest pilots only 800–1000 km away from Berlin. Nine teams had already given up, mainly due to mishaps and crashes.

The eleven fastest teams were the lucky ones to reach Spain as on July 23rd and 24th, all the rest of the crews had to stay on the ground due to bad weather over the Pyrenees in Pau . On July 25th the weather improved and the rest of the crews were allowed to fly on to Saragossa. The four fastest drivers (Hubert Breit, Sidney Thorn, AS Butler and Reinhold Poss) have now reached Breslau . Four teams gave up that day, including the best Polish pilot Franciszek Ż Wirko with an RWD -4 (due to engine failure). On July 26th, two German crew members, Erich Offermann and Erich Jerzembski (BFW M.23c), died in a crash landing in Lyon. A German crew fell into the Mediterranean, but was rescued by a ship (Rudolf Neininger, Darmstadt D 18 ).

The D 18 had because of engine trouble on the route Barcelona Nimes on the Mediterranean notwassern

The first pilots reached Berlin on July 27th. The first was Hubert Broad (DH-60G), then Sidney Thorn (Avro Avian) and a German, Reinhold Poss (Klemm L.25E). Fritz Morzik (BFW M.23c), Maurice Finite (Caudron 193), Prince Anton von Habsburg-Bourbon (DH-60G), Georg Pasewaldt, H. Andrews and AS Butler also landed within an hour. The fastest on the whole route was AS Butler (DH-60G - average speed 179 km / h), but by replacing a propeller in Poznan he was disqualified and finished the rally outside of the competition, second fastest was Hubert Broad (176 km / h) . On that day, 35 teams were still on the road. On July 28, seven more teams reached Berlin, on July 29, nine more, and the rest - the next day. The last team finished the rally on August 1st. Some crews gave up in the last few days.

The rally over Europe seemed relatively difficult for planes and pilots. Only 35 of the 60 crews made it in the allotted time. Another seven teams ended the rally but were disqualified for delay or repairs. After the rally, the leader in the general classification was Hubert Broad (DH-60G, 270 points), followed by: John Carberry (Monocoupe 90, 268 points), Reinhold Poss (Klemm L.25E, 264 points). The fourth was Fritz Morzik (BFW M.23c, 263 points). Winifred Spooner was seventh (260 points). The best Swiss team landed in 13th place, the best Pole, Stanisław Płonczyński, landed in 14th place (RWD-2, 236 points).

Hubert Broad and A. Butler in Berlin-Tempelhof

Top results of the rally

	pilot	country	Aircraft type	Approval / start no.	Average speed	Points: race
01.	Hubert Broad	United Kingdom	DH-60G	G-AAHR / K3	176 km / h	270
02.	John Carberry	United Kingdom	Monocoupe 90	G-ABBR / K7	173 km / h	268
03.	Reinhold Poss	German Empire	Klemm L 25 E	D-1901 / B8	149 km / h	264
04th	Fritz Morzik	German Empire	BFW M.23c	D-1883 / B3	148 km / h	263
05.	Willy Polte	German Empire	BFW M.23c	D-1892 / F2	147 km / h	262
06th	Oskar Notz	German Empire	Clamp L 25E	D-1902 / C1	146 km / h	261
07th	Winifred Spooner	United Kingdom	DH-60G	G-AALK / K8	145 km / h	260
08th.	Dietrich von Massenbach	German Empire	BFW M.23c	D-1888 / C7	151 km / h	256
09.	Ernst Kruger	German Empire	BFW M.23c	D-1891 / E8	139 km / h	254
10.	Joachim von Köppen	German Empire	BFW M.23c	D-1886 / C5	138 km / h	253
11.	Sidney Thorn	United Kingdom	Avro Avian	G-AAHJ / K1	155 km / h	250
12.	Oskar Dinort	German Empire	Terminal L.25E	D-1900 / B9	145 km / h	250
13.	Jean R. Pierroz	Switzerland	Breda Ba-15S	CH-257 / S1	133 km / h (?)	238
14th	Stanisław Płonczyński	Poland	RWD-2	SP-ADG / P3	128 km / h	236
15th	Edward Więckowski	Poland	RWD-2	SP-ADH / P4	127 km / h	234

Technical exams

Polish RWD-2 with Challenge markings

A technical evaluation of the competing aircraft took place on August 1st. As it was a touring aircraft competition, features such as comfortable cabins, number of displays and double checks, safety devices (anti-fire devices and spaces for parachutes) and foldable wings were also awarded. In the technical evaluation, the best achieved 104 out of a total of 230 possible points. The most important feature was a comfort cab (up to 42 points). The American Monocoupe 90 from John Carberry (74 points) achieved the most points, followed by three German Junkers A 50s with 67-69 points. The Klemm L 25E from Reinhold Poss achieved 62 points, the Polish RWD-4 from Jerzy Bajan was tied. The DH-60G from Hubert Broad achieved only 56 points, the BFW M23c from Fritz Morzik 54 points. The second worst rating was that of Sidney Thoms Avro Avian - 43 points (due to the lack of the foldable wings).

The next step was quick wing folding, a function to save space in hangars . The fastest were the British crews who flew the DH-60 (Hubert Broads crew only took 48 s), but the Germans got six extra points for their way of folding, so the BFW M.23c got the most points (24 points). John Carberry's monocoupe and the Polish RWDs were at a disadvantage as they did not have foldable wings.

Brit Sidney Thorn during the short start test in the Avro Avian

Next up was the quick start test of the aircraft engines and on August 3rd a fuel economy test over a distance of 304 km. The RWD-2 had the best fuel consumption (they received 30 points), followed by German Klemms and BFWs.

After these rounds, the Germans led the ranking: Reinhold Poss (382 points), Oskar Notz (380 points), Fritz Morzik (378 points). Only then did John Carberry (377 points), Hubert Broad (375 points) and Winifred Spooner (370 points) follow.

There was a quick start test on August 6th and 7th. It was necessary to fly over a 8.5 meter high gate with a rope. Each team had four attempts. The German pilot Ernst Krüger was the best, with the lowest distance of 125.5 meters, then Fritz Morzik (126.4 meters) - both flew BFW M 23c and were awarded 30 points. The next places also went to Germans. Sixth was Winifred Spooner, who flew a DH-60 (142 meters - 25 points).

Finally, there was a passage for the shortest landing via an 8.5 meter high gate. The best result, 127.3 meters, was achieved by the German Theo Osterkamp, ​​he flew an older model of the Klemm L 25 Ia, followed by Friedrich Siebel (Klemm L 26). The third was Winifred Spooner (21 points); Fritz Morzik and Reinhold Poss achieved 5th and 6th place.

Results

The closing ceremony followed the test of the shortest landing on August 8th. The first three places were occupied by Germans. The winner was again Fritz Morzik. In fourth place followed Miss Winifred Spooner, who was able to improve her position in technical rounds, i.e. after the rally over Europe.

Only 35 out of 60 teams made it to the end of the competition, including 20 German, 6 British, 4 Polish, 2 Swiss, 2 French teams and a Spanish team.

Welcome from Fritz Morzik on arrival in Berlin-Tempelhof

	pilot	country	Aircraft type	Admission	Start no.	Points: race + technique = total
01.	Fritz Morzik	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1883	B3	263 + 164 = 427
02.	Reinhold Poss	German Empire	Clamp L 25E	D-1901	B8	264 + 159 = 423
03.	Oskar Notz	German Empire	Clamp L 25E	D-1902	C1	261 + 158 = 419
04th	Winifred Spooner	United Kingdom	DH60G	G-AALK	K8	260 + 156 = 416
05.	Willy Polte	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1892	F2	262 + 147 = 409
06th	John Carberry	United Kingdom	Monocoupe 90	G-CANCEL	K7	268 + 137 = 405
07th	Dietrich von Massenbach	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1888	C7	256 + 142 = 398
08th.	Hubert Broad	United Kingdom	DH-60G	G-AAHR	K3	270 + 125 = 395
09.	Ernst Kruger	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1891	E8	254 + 140 = 394
10.	Oskar Dinort	German Empire	Clamp L 25E	D-1900	B9	250 + 135 = 385
11.	Theo Osterkamp	German Empire	Klemm L 25 Ia	D-1713	B7	226 + 158 = 384
12.	Joachim von Köppen	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1886	C5	253 + 130 = 383
13.	Robert Lusser	German Empire	Klemm L 26 Va	D-1716	A2	218 + 145 = 363
14th	Jean R. Pierroz	Switzerland	Breda Ba-15S	CH-257	S1	238 + 124 = 362
15th	Johann Risztics	German Empire	Junkers A50ce	D-1618	A1	195 + 166 = 361
16.	Sidney Thorn	United Kingdom	Avro Avian	G-AAHJ	K1	250 + 088 = 338
17th	Maurice Finat	France	Caudron C. 193	F-AJSI	M2	214 + 123 = 337
18th	Otto Peschke	German Empire	Arado L IIa	D-1875	C9	207 + 129 = 336
19th	Stanisław Płonczyński	Poland	RWD-2	SP-ADG	P3	236 + 100 = 336
20th	Friedrich Siebel	German Empire	Terminal L 26 IIa	D-1773	E6	171 + 164 = 335
21st	Edward Więckowski	Poland	RWD-2	SP-ADH	P4	234 + 095 = 329
22nd	Georg Pasewaldt	German Empire	Arado L IIa	D-1876	D1	180 + 138 = 318
23.	Charles Kolp	Switzerland	Klemm VL 25 Va	CH-258	S2	189 + 125 = 314
24.	François Arrachart	France	Caudron C. 193	F-AJSH	L3	198 + 113 = 311
25th	Otto von Waldau	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1887	C6	165 + 142 = 307
26th	Heinrich Benz	German Empire	Klemm L 25 IVa	D-1877	E1	162 + 142 = 304
27.	Alfred Gothe	German Empire	Junkers A 50ci	D-1863	E2	179 + 105 = 284
28.	Egloff von Freyberg	German Empire	BFW M23c	D-1884	C3	153 + 120 = 273
29	Waldemar Roeder	German Empire	Junkers A 50ce	D-1862	A8	150 + 121 = 271
30th	Anton von Habsburg-Bourbon	Spain	DH-60G	M-CKAA	T5	144 + 101 = 245
31.	Mary Bailey	United Kingdom	DH-60G	G-AAEE	K6	132 + 103 = 235
32.	Jerzy Bajan	Poland	RWD-4	SP-ADM	P2	120 + 103 = 223
33.	Ignacy Giedgowd	Poland	PZL-5	SP-ACW	O1	087 + 083 = 170
34.	Hans Boehing	German Empire	BFW M.23b	D-1889	D8	080 + 081 = 161
35.	H. Andrews	United Kingdom	Spartan Arrow	G-AAWZ	K4	051 + 109 = 160

Due to the victory of the Germans, the next Challenge was held in Germany in 1932. This next challenge should prove to be more difficult due to changes in the rules. For the 1932 competition, most countries developed advanced sport aircraft with high technical performance.

See also

• Berlin-Staaken
• Challenge 1932

literature

• Marian Krzyżan: Międzynarodowe turnieje lotnicze 1929–1934 , Warsaw 1988, ISBN 83-206-0637-3 ( Polish )

Web links

Commons : Europarundflug 1930  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files