THE WRAITH TAKES FLIGHT

A look at the bespoke, limited edition Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII

It’s hard to imagine, but just over 100 years ago, the concept of flight was in its infancy. There were no airlines and pilots flew by the seat of their pants. Planes at that time were assembled with bits of wire, wood, dope, and large, noisy motors – and were anything but reliable. Last year, to commemorate the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919, Rolls-Royce unveiled its Wraith Eagle VIII. Created by the Bespoke Collective at the House of Rolls-Royce, a collection of just 50 limited edition Wraith Eagle VIII motorcars will celebrate the epic journey of one of the most important moments of the 20th century.

In June 1919, Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown braved uncharted skies to make the first nonstop transatlantic flight. These men were contemporaries of Sir Henry Royce, founder of the iconic luxury car manufacturer. Alcock and Brown flew non-stop from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland in a modified World War I Vickers Vimy bomber aircraft. Not surprisingly, a twin 20.3 litre, 350 bhp Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines powered the biplane. In those days, Rolls-Royce also made engines. Today, they still make aircraft engines, but they are separated from the automobile company. It is from this remarkable Roll-Royce engine that this collection takes its name.

“I do not know what we should most admire – their audacity, determination, skill, science, their aeroplane, their RollsRoyce engines – or their good fortune,” commented Sir Winston Churchill, following the perilous journey that brought unfathomable advancement to 20th century society.

Alcock and Brown established a record and gained a place alongside Donald Campbell, CBE (British speed recordbreaker) in the most select club in the world; those who push beyond previous conceptions of human endeavour to achieve seemingly impossible records on land, water, and air. And what made this epic flight possible? The raw but reliable power created by Rolls-Royce engines.

During their flight, Alcock and Brown suffered every conceivable challenge an aviator could face at the time. The RollsRoyce Eagle VIII engines were the only components that proved indestructible. The engines propelled the aerial voyage at previously unimagined speeds that averaged 115mph. Their peril cannot be overstated. Their radio and navigation instruments failed almost immediately, leaving the pilots flying unaided at night through a dense cloud and freezing fog for many hours in an open cockpit. The noise and sheer cold must have been debilitating. Eventually,