MAIN PICTURE With all aboard in both aircraft, the Avro
504 prototype and Blackburn Type I prepare to join battle
during the “War of the Roses” Air Race over Yorkshire
on October 2, 1913. In charge of the Avro was F.P.
Raynham (TOP LEFT) while the Blackburn monoplane
was piloted by Harold Blackburn (TOP RIGHT) — no
relation to the company’s founder Robert Blackburn.T
HE LONGSTANDING rivalry
between Lancashire and Yorkshire
dates back to the so-called “Wars
of the Roses”, when the House of
Lancaster — represented by a red
rose — fought the House of York — a white rose
— for control of 15th-Century England. Since
then, the rivalry has largely become confined to
sporting events. In 1913 it took to the air.
On September 20, 1913, the prototype Avro
504 made a great impact on its public debut by
coming fourth in the Aerial Derby over London
at an average speed of 66·5 m.p.h. (107km/h).
The aviation press was greatly impressed,
predicting large military orders for the type.
Recognising that the 504 was made by A.V.
Roe & Co of Manchester (traditionally part of
Lancashire), the Editor of the Yorkshire EveningNews was convinced that Yorkshire products
were superior, and responded by offering a
trophy to the winner of an air race between the
best aeroplanes Lancashire and Yorkshire could
offer. This race was to be over a 100-mile (160km)
course. Inevitably, the event was promoted as
the “War of the Roses Air Race”.Avro vs Blackburn
The foremost Yorkshire aviation company at this
time was the Leeds-based Blackburn Aeroplane
& Motor Co Ltd. Prompted by the challenge
laid down by the Yorkshire Evening News,
and encouraged by the Yorkshire Aero Club,
Blackburn issued an official challenge to A.V.
Roe in Manchester. Co-founder of the company
Humphrey Verdon Roe, who saw an opportunity
for publicity, accepted, and the race was on.relation to the company’s founder Robert Blackburn.
MAIN PICTURE VIA AUTHOR / PORTRAITS PHILIP JARRETT COLLECTION