1953 London to Christchurch air race
The 1953 London to Christchurch air race, the "Last Great Air Race", was long, from London Heathrow to Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand and took place in October 1953 after Christchurch declared their airport as International in 1950.
Race description
The race was divided into an outright speed section and a section for commercial transport aircraft types.'s Douglas DC-6A was competitor No. 21 in the race to Christchurch and carried a group of emigrants. It was displayed at London Heathrow before departure for New Zealand.
The speed section was won by a Royal Air Force English Electric Canberra PR.3 flown by Flight Lieutenant Roland Burton and navigated by Flight Lieutenant Don Gannon. The plane touched down at Christchurch Airport at 5.36am local time during heavy storm, 41 minutes ahead of its closest rival: after 23hr 51min in the air including 83 minutes on the ground; to this day the record has not been broken. The Harewood Gold Cup was awarded to the winners, and the prize of £10,000 was paid to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
There have been many films made about the commercial section of this race: a Vickers Viscount which finished first, followed by a Douglas DC-6A of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines which was declared the winner on handicap. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Handley Page Hastings also took part. The victory of the Canberra has been less publicised, flying at an average speed of. The distance, by the route followed, was so that the actual speed was .
Second in the speed section was Squadron Leader Peter Raw of No. 1 Long Range Flight RAAF in an Australian-built Canberra.
Competitors
Race section
Handicap section
| Number | Pilot | Operator | Aircraft | Identity | Note |
| 21 | Captain Kooper | KLM | Douglas DC-6B | PH-TGA | Winner of £10,000 prize in the Handicap section with a handicap time of 44 hours 29 minutes and 31 seconds |
| 22 | Wing Commander Watson | 41 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force | Handley Page Hastings | NZ5804 | Did not finish, withdrew in Ceylon with engine problems |
| 23 | Captain Baillie | British European Airways | Vickers Viscount | G-AMAV | Second in the Handicap section |