FRENCH

This magnificent trophy was awarded by the French magazine 'L'Aérophile' in 1943 to the Section Scolaire Fernand Guignard, Aé-C. Louis Blériot. Blériot had come to instant fame for his legendary flight across the English Channel, which celebrates its hundredth anniversary this year. He was the first aviator to successfully cross a large body of water despite having to overcome technical problems and bad weather during the 37 minute flight. Blériot became an national hero in France, and later went on to manufacture commercial aircraft.