The Chandy Trophy and the first Scottish National Championships

The Chandy Trophy was a gift to the Scottish Parachute Club in 1961 from the Chandy Bottling Company, courtesy of  M. E Pearce, a friend of Charles Robertson who worked for the company. This magnificent trophy was the first trophy to be competed for in the United Kingdom, and is still competed for today - making it the oldest parachuting trophy in the United Kingdom, if not the World. 
The trophy has been regularly awarded since 1961, with a lull between 1992 and 2000 when the trophy was damaged. As part of the 40th anniversary the trophy was fully restored and is now a treasured part of the club's heritage.
You will see further references to the trophy, to its recipients and the Chandy company throughout this history.

As a result of the gift of this wonderful trophy, a National Championship Competion was established in Scotland. The first one was held at Scone Aerodrome in Perth in 1961 and drew no less than 60 entrants, including two American military teams who traveled from their stations in Germany, and a British SAS team.
Winners this first year were Mike Reilly as the Open Champion and Ian McDiarmid as the Scottish Champion.

Back Row L to R: Dick Quigley (Beaver Pilot), Sherdy Vatnsdal, Deana Pennington, Charles Robertson, Captain Bob Berry (US Army), Unknown American, Stanley Moffat 
Front Row L to R: Unknown American, Ian McDiarmid, Mike Reilly, Peter Denley, Bob ??? (US Army Sgt), Harry Craik

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