As a motorcar Hispano Suiza is of course world famous. Also its mascot, the flying stork is well known. Rather less known are the origins of this mascot. During World War I a French air hero, Georges Guynemer, who not only drove a Hispano Suiza, but also flew a Hispano powered, twin winged Spad, in which he achieved 53 victories. In 1917 he was reported missing after an air fight.

The mascot of his squadron was a Flying Stork and as a tribute to Georges Guynemer it graced all radiators of Hispano Suiza from 1918 on. In the port area of Dunkerque, in Northern France, a statue was erected for Georges Guynemer, with of course the mascot of the Flying Stork on it.

photo Rutger Booy

January 18, 2004