The Cape Records AnniversaryThe Cape Records Anniversary
Why? ... How?...!
Both of these are good questions. Why should one expend energy and resources celebrating a sixty-year-old event of this kind? And how is this to be achieved, especially in a society where resources are desperately scarce, and deserving causes are legion?
First of all, why?
The answer is not simple, nor can it be expressed in economic terms. To quote Peter McMillan, the owner/pilot of the Vickers Vimy replica Silver Queen, we live in an "often timid society", and it is good to be reminded from time to time that great things can be achieved, not necessarily by well-resourced organisations or from within well-protected comfort zones, but by courageous and committed individuals such as Alex Henshaw, who quite literally put their lives on the line in order to realise their dreams.
We also live in a society and an age where good news is at a premium, and where a celebration of glorious human achievement - even in retrospect - provides a welcome contrast.
Here then is a unique opportunity to celebrate one of the great achievements of the Golden Age of aviation, which contributed to the development of flying and helped to open up commercial opportunities for air travel between Europe and Southern Africa. By showing that fast air travel was technically feasible between points as far apart as London and Cape Town and passing over trackless and unserviced wilderness, flights such as Henshaw's also gave impetus at that time to the concept of air transport on a global scale.
Cape Town - and South Africa - is priviledged to be associated with one of the longest-standing and greatest records in solo aviation history, and is even more priviledged that Alex Henshaw himself is willing to travel to this country to participate in the sixtieth anniversary celebrations.
The wonderful reception that the Vimy flight has had - not only from its First World origins, but also from the people of the African countries along the route - is proof enough of the immense appeal which vintage aviation has for all people, even at the close of the twentieth century. With the Cape Records anniversary we may not have the aircraft, but instead we have something better still - one of the last of the pioneers of flight in Africa in person, and a fine opportunity to celebrate with him the sixtieth anniversary of one of his greatest achievements.
Not only will Alex Henshaw be present at the Cape Records Anniversary celebration in November, but also Victor Smith, an extraordinary man from the town of George, who in 1932 at the age of 19 challenged (and only by the greatest of bad luck failed) to break the Cape to London record. The following year he made an equally courageous attempt on the London to Cape Town record, and once again only failed in his bid because of an unprecedented headwind for 1400 miles, which caused him to run out of fuel just short of Cape Town. Alas, it was enough to cost him the title. Both these adventures are magnificently chronicaled in his book, Open Cockpit over Africa.
The presence of these two - Henshaw and Smith - will represent a fine publicity and media opportunity, especially coming soon after the flight of the Silver Queen, which is already doing much to quicken public interest in vintage aviation. This should ensure that the Anniversary celebration results in benefits which far outweigh its modest costs.
Mr Henshaw has very graciously waived all appearance fees associated with the anniversary celebrations, on the understanding that any surplus funds which might be generated by the event should be donated to an appropriate charitable organisation such as the South African Air Force Association or the Royal Air Force Association. These organisations provide support and assistance to needy ex-Air Force personnel in South Africa and in Britain. Thus, the Cape Records Anniversary has the potential to address - albeit in a very modest way - some of those deserving causes mentioned earlier.
And now, how will the celebration be made to happen?
This is perhaps less easy to answer than the previous question. The Cape records Association, which was constituted exclusively to arrange the Cape Records Anniversary, lacks the resources to bring this project to fruition unassisted. Thanks to the efforts of the Association's members, and the wonderful support received from a number of people and organisations, most of the events are either already arranged or well on track. The organisational assistance both of dedicated individuals and of bodies such as the South African Air Force Association cannot be overestimated. And to them all, on behalf of the Cape Records Association, I express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation.
The only critical exception in an otherwise highly successful project relates to sponsorship for Alex Henshaw's flight from the United Kingdom to South Africa and back. Sadly, none of the major airlines serving Southern Africa have perceived either value or opportunity in this venture, and assistance has not yet been forthcoming from this quarter.
It is therefore neccessary to make a broad appeal for assistance in this matter. An amount in the region of R7000 (about £700, or $1100) is required for Mr Henshaw's fare. Any contributions will be individually credited and acknowledged, and donors will be offered space in our website Sponsor Section, as well as exposure through media coverage. Donations may be addressed to the Association Convenor Lee Hall. Contact information may be found by clicking here. Unfortunately much time was lost in earlier unsuccessful attempts to secure this sponsorship, and time is now becoming critical. If you can be of assistance - to whatever extent - your contribution will go a long way towards assuring that the Cape Records Anniversary celebration goes ahead as planned.