11 Facts About George Stainforth

George Stainforth joined the British Army before joining the Royal Air Force.

George Stainforth joined the Royal Air Force on 15 March 1923 and was posted to No 19 Squadron RAF on 10 April 1924.

George Stainforth was promoted after four years to flight lieutenant on 1 July 1928, and was posted to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment for duties with the High Speed Flight, known as The Flight.

Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth was one of the team in 1931 when the Trophy was won for the third time in a row, and thus the competition won outright.

George Stainforth was promoted to squadron leader on 1 June 1936, served with No 802 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force and was posted as the Officer Commanding No 30 Squadron RAF in Iraq.

George Stainforth's task was to take part in comparison trials of a captured Messerschmitt Bf 109E and a Supermarine Spitfire Mark II.

The tests began with George Stainforth flying the Messerschmitt and Tuck flying the Spitfire in level flight, dives and turns, and at various speeds at different altitudes.

George Stainforth was appointed as Officer Commanding No 89 Squadron in October 1941.

George Stainforth was buried with full military honours, at the British Cemetery Ismailia, Egypt.

The George Stainforth Trophy is awarded annually by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command to the operational station within the Command which has produced the best overall performance and is their most prestigious trophy.

The image of G H George Stainforth appeared in a number of Cigarette Card Sets including:.