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BELL & ROSS | VINTAGE COLLECTION HOMMAGE À GEORGES GUYNEMER Tribute to Georges Guynemer Depuis ses origines, Bell & Ross se passionne pour l’histoire de l’aviation et celle de ses héros. Fidèle à ses valeurs, la Maison rend hommage à un pilote mythique : le capitaine Guynemer. En 1914, lorsque la Première Guerre mondiale éclate, l’aviation n’en est encore qu’à ses prémices. La première tentative de décollage ne date que de 1890 avec Clément Ader et le premier véritable envol ne remonte qu’à 1903 avec les frères Wright. Certes, Louis Blériot a franchi la Manche en 1909, mais alors que l’Europe s’embrase, piloter reste encore un exploit réservé à quelques pionniers. Georges Guynemer est de ceux-là. Passionné, il parvient à décrocher son brevet de pilote militaire en avril 1915. Incorporé à l’escadrille des Cigognes, il vole aux commandes d’un SPAD VII qu’il baptise le “Vieux Charles”. Celui-ci arbore la cigogne en vol, emblème de l’escadrille n°3 depuis juillet 1956. Georges Guynemer s’impose rapidement comme l’un des meilleurs aviateurs français, obtenant la Légion d’Honneur le jour de sa majorité. Promu capitaine, il prend son envol le 11 septembre 1917 à la tête de l’escadrille des Cigognes. Ce fut son dernier vol. Il avait 22 ans. “Héros légendaire, tombé en plein ciel de gloire”, Guynemer est considéré comme l’un des as de l’aviation. Since it was founded, Bell & Ross has been passionate about the history of aviation and its heroes. Loyal to its values, the brand is commemorating the Centenary of the Great War by paying tribute to legendary pilot Georges Guynemer. In 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, aviation was just in its early stages. he irst take-of attempt was only in 1890 with Clément Ader and the irst light would not take place until 1903 with the Wright brothers. Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel in 1909 but, as Europe became engulfed in war, aviation remained an activity reserved for just a few pioneers. Georges Guynemer was one of them. His determination earned him his military pilot’s licence in April 1915. Joining the Escadrille MS.3 (known as the Storks), he lew at the helm of a SPAD S.VII that he nicknamed “Vieux Charles”. It was emblazoned with the image of a stork in light, which became the emblem of Escadrille MS.3 in July 1956. Georges Guynemer quickly became known as one of the best French pilots, earning the Légion d’Honneur on his 21st birthday. Promoted to Captain, he took to the air on September 11, 1917 at the head of the Stork squadron. It would be his last light. He was just 22 years old.“Legendary hero, fallen in a blaze of glory”, Guynemer was considered an ace pilot. 47


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