Rare Vintage Southern Counties Cycling Union Engraved Trophy, Matching Green Aerodrome Track 

London Associations Inter Championships, Massed Start Seniors, K.V. Henhinick, 1st, 1949

This person was a member of the Rapier Road Cycling Club, which became amalgamated with the Bucaneers C.C and Redbridge Cycling Clubs

13cm high, 13cm wide

Dated around 1950’s

Oak wood, with metal trophy

Good condition for age, with some wear, marks and tarnishing.

Royal Air Force Matching or more simply RAF Matching is a former Royal Air Force station located 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Harlow, Essex and 22 miles (35 km) northeast of London.

A few miles to the East of Harlow are the remains of Matching Green Airfield. The land had been earmarked for use as an airfield from as early as 1937 during the rapid build up of resources for the RAF. Construction eventually began in 1943 as an airfield for the United States Army Air Force. As in common with most of the US airfields in the area, it was a base for B-26 Martin Marauder twin engined medium bomber Groups who were under control of the US 9th air force.

The runway was also used for cycling during and after the war. I have included an image, just for reference.

Known as Station 166, it was built by the US 834th and 840th Engineer (Aviation) Battalions, to "Class A" standards. The runways were 150' wide with a 50' wide perimeter track running around the main flying field. Five dispersed sites were used for administration, living, and technical support. Two T2 type Hangars were also erected. These measured 240' long, 39' high, with a 120' span across the doors.

The airfield carried the pundit code of MC. This would have been marked in large white letters on the signals square next to the Control Tower. The first Americans to be posted in were the members of the 13th Replacement Control Depot.

Photo included as the aerodrome track, just for reference.

The Southern Counties Cycling Union was founded in 1898 and was organising all types of competitive cycle sport including track and road racing. It first promoted a 100 mile time trial in 1908 and we were by then a member club.