Held 12 times between 1913 and 1931, the Schneider Trophy epitomized prewar aviation. Attracting entries from the U.S., Great Britain, France and Italy, the contest fostered a rapid advance in aviation technology that led to some of World War II's most successful fighter designs. Participants typically included the Bernard Racers, Curtiss, Fiat, Rolls-Royce, Piaggio and Supermarine. This book devotes an entire chapter to each of the 12 races, with details of pre-race planning, navigation and seaworthiness trials, the race itself, and, of course, aircraft designs and engines. All-original, period photography accompanies each of these fascinating stories.