1937 Istres–Damascus–Paris Air Race

In 1937 a transatlantic race was proposed to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's pioneering solo flight from New York to Parus. There were twenty-two entrants, but there was resistance in the United States because any accidents might create a bad impression of the nascent transatlantic passenger services.

In June 1937 the Aero-Club de France changed the race to a Istres - Damascus - Paris, a course representing a similar distance to the original transatlantic flight. Competitors were expected to travel non-stop from Istres to Damascus (2971 km). On the return leg, they had the option of stopping at any point. The aircraft and crew completing the 6190 km course in the least amount of time would win the race and a prize of 1,5 million French Francs awarded by the French Air Ministry.

Thirteen of the seventeen crews registered started the race on 20 August 1937. Among the competitors was Bruno Mussolini, the son of the Italian Dictator. Take off times were staggered by nationality, with the French leaving first between 1800 and 1830; Britain (only one entrant) at 2100; finally, the Italians took off between 2200 and 2230. Only nine crews completed the race. Lieutenant-Colonel Ranieri Cupini and Lieutenant-Colonel Amadeo Paradisi won the race, arriving at Le Bourget airport after 17 hrs 32 minutes 43.2 sec, aboard their Savoia-Marchetti S-79. Italian crews also took the second and third places.