There are headlines in the newspapers:for the tenth anniversary of Lindbergh's feat, France is organizing a New York - Paris air race, which must mark in the annals of aviation. Unexpected news, a little strange even, but which arouses enthusiasm. An enthusiasm mixed with concern. Most of the major nations have aircraft with a range sufficient to cross the Atlantic. But the dangers would still be very great in this struggle for speed over a sea where the wreckage of planes that have disappeared while attempting the big jump is barely breaking up.
However, commitments are beginning to reach the organizing committee. Twenty-two in all:four French, nine Italians, and also Americans, British. No Germans, but Romanians and a Swede.
Experts await the test with some trepidation. It is therefore almost with relief that we learn of the opposition of the American government to a race which, he says, seems inopportune to him at a time when, with his Clippers, he is experimenting with the first commercial links between the two continents, under the safety sign.
France must therefore give up this Atlantic race. It replaces it with an Istres-Damas-Paris which will take place on August 20 and 21, 1937. We line up our best pilots:Codos, Rossi, Guillaumet they will respectively pilot a Breguet Fulgur, a Typhon and a Farman - to which will join the lieutenant- Colonel François on a Bloch. The Italians are represented in force:seven Savoia-Marchetti-79 and a Fiat. There will also be the English Clouston, on a Cornet.