Marville, France
Wing Support Photographs

Extracts from the 1 Air Division Historical Report:

26 Jun 61

The RCAF’s Guynemer Trophy air-to-air firing team arrived at Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, from Sardinia, ready and determined to win the trophy for the fourth straight year.

6 Jul 61

The RCAF’s Guynemer Trophy team was today officially declared winner of the fourth annual air gunnery competition for the fourth consecutive year. The Canadians and their F-86 Sabre jets amassed a total of 1,352 points, 246 more than their nearest rivals – the Belgian Air Force team – which scored 1,106 points. The Netherlands came third, with 1,040.5.

7 Jul 61

Prince Berhard of the Netherlands today presented the Guynemer Trophy and 36 silver medallions to the victorious RCAF air-to-air gunnery team. Along with the trophy and medallions, he also presented the Prince Bernhard Plaque to the RCAF team captain, F/L Richard Spencer, who won the plaque as the top scorer in the competition, amassing a total of 440.5 points out of a possible 800.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. LAC Ed Mullen receives a gold medal from HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands - 7 July 1961.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Edward Mullen.

  2. Photo of the 1 Air Division Team that won the NATO shoot - 7 July 1961.
    There at least five members from 2 Wing. Middle row (L-R) #6 Bob Thickon, #8 MacKenzie (Electrician), #9 Mullen (Photo Tech), #11 Ron Hughes (AST Weapons). There are also a few pilots from 2 Wing in the photo.
    Courtesy Ron Hughes and Edward Mullen.

  3. Larger image of the 1 Air Division Team that won the NATO shoot - 7 July 1961.
    There at least five members from 2 Wing. Middle row (L-R) #6 Bob Thickon, #8 MacKenzie (Electrician), #9 Mullen (Photo Tech), #11 Ron Hughes (AST Weapons). There are also a few pilots from 2 Wing in the photo.
    Courtesy Ron Hughes and Edward Mullen.

  4. LAC Ed Mullen checks the Cine gun camera in the cockpit of a Sabre at the Guynemer competition - July 1961.
    This photo was taken during our two week assemblry and training at 4 Wing prior to Sardinia and then Holland. The article should have read "officers and men of 1 Air Division Europe".
    Courtesy Edward Mullen.

  5. Dutch Sabre aircraft at the competition - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  6. The "Guynemer Trophy" - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  7. A "target drogue" - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  8. The "scoring area" was a popular hangout - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  9. The "scoreboard" - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  10. The "scoreboard" - July 1961.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.

  11. The Canadian crew at Leeuwarden - July 1961.
    Note the tail markings of a 430 Squadron Sabre from 2 Wing Grostenquin.
    Courtesy Carl "Joe" Grunewald.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

Return to the Details Page
Return to Top of Page

About This Page

Updated: March 29, 2004