1936 Press Photo – Tommy Rose and C.W.A. Scott at Start of King’s Cup Air Race

Original press photograph dated July 29, 1936, showing Flight Lieutenant Tommy Rose (left), winner of the 1935 King’s Cup Air Race, alongside C.W.A. Scott, one of the most prominent British aviators of the interwar period. The image was taken at Hatfield Aerodrome just prior to the start of the 1936 King’s Cup race.

According to the original typed caption affixed to the verso:

• The King’s Cup Air Race is described as one of the most important civil air competitions of the year

• The 1936 course required two circuits of a 612-mile route, including stops at Norwich, Nottingham, Bristol, High Post, Shoreham, and Coventry

• The photo captures Rose and Scott discussing the race course just before the event began

The aircraft visible in the background bears the painted inscription “King’s Cup Winner 1935,” referring to Rose’s winning entry from the previous year. The aircraft and pilots featured represent the height of British civil aviation competition in the 1930s.

This image is highly collectible due to the presence of both Tommy Rose, known for record-breaking long-distance flights, and C.W.A. Scott, famous for his joint victory in the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from England to Australia.