Internationaler Flugtag Breitscheid
At 16th and 17th August 2008 the internationaler Flugtag took place at flugplatz Breitscheid.
At Saturday there was a flugplatzfest and you could see some aircraft exercising for the next day; the flugtag! I visited the flugtag on Sunday and here is my review!
The Flugtag was planned as follows: in the forenoon there were arrivals of general aviation aircraft and you could see the static display, and from 12:30 till 17:00 a non-stop airshow program was offered.
Static Display
There were a Fieseler Fi-156 Storch (Stork), a Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.7 and a Transall C-160 from the German Air Force (Bundeswehr) on static display. You could also see the aircraft that would fly in the afternoon airshow.
The Fi-156 Storch is an aircraft developed for observation and ground support. It has excellent STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capabilities, it can fly slow on a stabile manner and offers a good view to the crew.
The Harrier is still the only operational fighter in the world that can take-off vertically. The GR.7 is a modernised version with contemporary instruments and engine.
The airshow
The airshow started with a fly-by of a Dynamic ultra light with a banner behind it. A nice welcome!
Next a PC-6 dropped 10 parachutists above the airfield, each making a soft landing on the grass.
Thereafter 4 Bucker Bu-131 Jungmann took off and formed a formation. The Bu-131 was a basic training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe during World War II.
Two Boeing PT-17 Stearman followed and flew a formation flight. They also formed a heart in the sky, ideal for weddings! The Stearman was a light American primary trainer (PT). These Stearmans are PT-17 versions with Continental motors, build for the US Army.
A spectacular act came from Michael Weller with his Pitts Special. Upward corkscrews, loopings, rolls and more; Michael must have a strong stomach.
Between al the displays, people could fly with the Junkers Ju-52 “Tante Ju”. As result, the Ju-52 made many take-offs and landings in front of the public.
The Ju-52 is a whole metal aircraft build for the civil market. It has a passenger capacity of ca. 13-17 passengers. The Ju-52 was also used as bomber and transport aircraft.
The Netherlands were represented by a North American B-25 Mitchell bomber, which made some spectacular fly-by’s. The B-25 Mitchell was a successful bomber and attack aircraft. It is named after William “Billy” Mitchell, a man who was persuaded of the importance of airpower. The sound of the 2 Wright R-2600 cyclone radials (1850 hp each) is wonderful. As peak of the B-25 display, a P-51D Mustang took off and intercepted the B-25. Finally, they made some formation flights.
The SIAI S-211 was a rare visitor and is a jet trainer. The S-211 has also the possibility to carry weapons, so it can also be used for weapons training or light ground attack duties. Only the Singapore Air Force and the Phillipine Air Force still use the S-211. I really like this plane, it looks very fast and firm. Just as his much newer brother: the Aermacchi M-346.
After the jet power, a small general aviation airplane came along: the Mylus My120. A small, but brave airplane that doesn’t seem to have fear for aerobatics.
The Swift S-1, a glider, gave a silent display. After being pulled up by the Yak-55 from Wolfgang Seitz, the glider started its display. The Swift S-1 is not really made for normal flights, so ‘lets get loss’! Loopings and more without engine and then try to hold enough height over for landing: not so easy…
Quickly, the silence was totally disturbed by two Yak-55s. What a display!
Up, down, left, right, upside down, downside up… and meanwhile pulling some G’s. That’s the way we like it! Another Yakovlev was present too: the Yak-52.
The T-6 Harvard was well represented: no less than 4 T-6 Harvards were present! 2 from Red Bull (Walter and Toni Eichhorn) and 2 privately owned (Georg Raab and Josef Schumacher). The T-6 Harvard was an advanced trainer. Besides pilots also air-gunners were trained on the T-6. There are 17.096 pieces build.
First a T-6 gave a solo display and then the others joined him for a formation flight. After that the privately owned T-6s landed and father and son Eichhorn gave a very beautiful display. (see the pictures, I can’t describe it with words).
The Douglas AD-4 Skyraider: wing span of 15 meter and fitted with a 2800 hp engine. Hmm, sounds good! And so it is, the Skyraider is the strongest one-engine piston-driven aircraft.
Now two airplanes in one: the Rockwell Bronco OV-10 with double tail. It is developed for the US army as a light-armed recon airplane. There is place for 2 pilots and 3 passengers. The OV-10 can carry light bombs and rockets.
Another SIAI product was present on the Flugtag: the SF-260 Marchetti flown by Ralf Niebergall. The Marchetti is a basic trainer and very useful for aerobatics, according to the display.
The agriculture made also a contribution to the airshow. It sent the Polish PZL-106 Kruk. The Kruk is used for sprinkling plants and this one is reconstructed by Dieter Gehling, also the pilot of this aircraft. The PZL-106 Kruk is the most robust airplane I have ever seen!
The P-51D Mustang is certainly a WO II legend. With a top speed of more than 700 km/h and a Packard V-1650-7 Merlin 1720 hp engine, it could even catch up with German jets! The P-51D was fitted with 6 12.7mm machine guns in the wing and could carry ca. 907kg bombs under the wing.
And last but not least, the Let-29 Delphin. When I saw Toni Eichhorn take off and going to the north, I suspected that when he comes back, he would bring something with him. And so it was, he picked up Walter Eichhorn in a Let-29 from another airfield not far away. A nice surprise to end the day!
I really enjoyed the Flugtag. The weather was good, sunny and some clouds. From a photographer's point of view, it was not so good that the sun was in front of you. But the spectator's area was very close to the runway and there was a big part with unobstructed view. More than 30 aircraft performed a display and you could see some aircraft on static display. Also many general aviation airplanes were present.
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Interesting links:
- Official Site: Lsg-Breitscheid
- Visitors List (PDF)
- Flugtag Programme (PDF)
- Airfield Map
- More photos on my photo album
"Bye bye, see you at the next edition", says Ralf Niebergall!
