RAF pilot dedicates Schneider Trophy win to friend who died in Spitfire crash

An RAF pilot has won a prestigious air racing competition and dedicated it to his friend and colleague who died piloting a spitfire which crashed earlier this year.
Squadron Leader Ben Polwin and his wife Sophie won the Schneider Trophy which dates back to 1912.
RAF pilot dedicates Schneider Trophy win to friend who perished in BBMF Spitfire crash
An RAF pilot has won the Schneider Trophy, ending a 30-year drought for the RAF, with a plane he built himself.
The trophy, which has been a symbol of aviation excellence since 1912, was dedicated by Squadron Leader Ben Polwin to his late sister, Hannah, and his friend, Squadron Leader Mark Long.
Sqn Ldr Polwin, accustomed to piloting multi-million-pound jets, spent four years building the Vans RV-7 in his garage.
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[@1chish]

Well done both on a great achievement and a special BZ to Sophie. RCAF and RAF following what so many great Canadians did in WWII.

[@alanmcmillan6969]

A great plane, and dedicated to closee people.

[@solomonpilbrow8488]

I think this report could make it more clear that this Schneider trophy is unconnected to the race the Supermarine S5, 6, and 6b contested in the 1930s. Winning three times in a row brought an end to that competition, and Britain permanently retained the trophy, which you can see in the Science Museum in London. This competition is an air race created in the 1980s by the Royal Aero Club half a century later, and the trophy for it shown here is a replica based on the original design. This competition is much for focused on pilot skill, using a handicap system to allow aircraft of different capability to race against one another. Ironically, this makes it almost the antithesis of the original competition, which was specifically founded to incentivise technological innovation in aircraft design.

[@colinthomas5462]

Thanks for explaining this fact 👌

[@solomonpilbrow8488]

My pleasure!

[@MrOhdead]

Again thank you for that.

[@maxflight777]

fair point !

[@rvfighterpilot]

You are quite right, ‘revived’ in 1981 under the Royal Aero Club RRRA on the 50th anniversary of the UK retaining it permanently in 1931. It is clearly a different event now with a handicap system. It was originally intended to encourage technical advances in civil aviation but became a contest for pure speed and assisted the development of one of the most important war time aircraft in history so you might argue that the event we all know of was already the antithesis of its original intention! Either way, it’s great it continues in some form. The trophy is a full size replica cast from the original silver one in the science museum. It has every winner on it since 1913.

[@trs4u]

4:57 "you need to focus on taxiing the airplane please" LOL! What a nice video.

[@stephenwheeler1260]

His wife...........the ultimate professional.....relax in the crewr oom with a cup of tea👏

[@monguzzle]

Total QFI tone hahah

[@johnwoodall3791]

So Sorry to hear about your Sister, My Sincere Condolances on that loss & the loss of your Friend Sqd Ldr Long, A big loss to the RAF fraternity indeed... A Very Touching Tribute to the Former RAF Pilot... Very Nice Act Sir...

[@hyime69]

GO ROYAL AIR FORCE !!! Well done at winning this iconic Trophy!!

[@SpitfireCGI]

Well done Ben and Sophie , top work !

[@davidboon7219]

Top Man 🇬🇧😎😎😎

[@lawrencemartin1113]

That is such a fantastic win and so wonderful to dedicate it to the memory of his sister and Sqdn Ldr Long. My deepest sympathies for the terrible loss of both. I love the aircraft and what better paint scheme than Typhoon grey!? 😊

[@maxflight777]

What a fantastic man ! 👍🏻

[@margobaxter8344]

What an absolutely, wonderful achievement! I must say, I felt quite emotional watching this. Quite simply, magnificent!

[@robg3545]

Wow, thats a heck of an historic trophy to get your name on. Congratualtions both.

[@davidsweetland8069]

Goodness admiration and respect would be an understatement to you . Aviation is a drug and when represented by fantastic people is even better . Top shelf

[@kelvinjutemills]

Wonderful news for a change....selfless too...tremendous gesture of friendship. The best of British.!!

[@monguzzle]

Fantastic. Congratulations.

[@ffudon]

Crusaders ✊

[@captainbligh3894]

What a nice man , BZ

[@spaceskipster4412]

Bravo 🙌🏼 “Chaps” 🇬🇧🇨🇦❤

[@ziepex7009]

What a legend

[@tonys1636]

One doesn't need a Red Bull to give one wiiings.

[@beachcomberbloke462]

Great riposte!

[@markvincentjamesmason4812]

Wowed, 🎉❤🙏🏻

[@openbabel]

Now produce a UK kit plan in the UK which will better the RV, electric powered which we PPL s can afford

[@rgomez6660]

Schlongie. Best health Sir.

[@whya2ndaccount]

I thought the Schneider Trophy was for seaplanes?

[@iandavid8925]

The trophy was raced between seaplanes from 1913 to 1931. In 1981 the race was revived, no longer for seaplanes and under different rules, by the Royal Aero Club of Great Britain to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Britain's ultimate retention of the Schneider Trophy. I think the reason for it ending in ‘31 was financial.

[@theoccupier1652]

I had no idea this was still a race ... I thought it was won for keeps by the S.6b back in 1931... (edit) it's been revived for even more fun ... but the S.6b is the Real owner ;)

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Schneider trophy in name only🤷‍♂️

[@olivethrush7450]

Short on detail What course, what where, what rrophy and what make of plane.

[@seasoldier3902]

BZ!

[@WCSPete1]

Apart from compensation, they left out whole chunks about what actually happened, omitting for example the breaking of one police woman's nose etc etc.

[@forthyone]

HA HA HA HA