Middle Wallop 2000
(A visit by the German Akro Team)
Tony Baker from the Southampton Scale Soaring Association recently announced that they had invited the German Akro team to this country with the purpose of demonstrating large scale aerobatics from the aerotow.
We did not have to be asked twice to attend this event. Sunday 30th July could not come quick enough and we were not to be disappointed. Terry Antell, Tony Morgan and myself left at 8-30am for Middle Wallop which may have seemed early to some, but I think we could sense the full English breakfast at the museum restaurant, need I say more !!
After
forcing down breakfast we ambled over to the flight line just in time to hear
the pilots briefing presented by Tony Baker, the German pilot's are standing
behind him. (picture by Terry Antell)
The general plan for the day was to demonstrate the aerobatic schedule that is receiving a lot of interest all over Europe and the USA. The Germans call it the Akro Cup.
The morning started with a breathtaking display of aerobatic
flying from German national no.2 pilot flying a 1/3 scale Fox, towed by a
1/3 scale Wilga, both models built to a superb standard. Followed by a 1/3
scale Swift and then a 1/4 scale LO100 all of these flights were made with
amazing precision.
Many similar flights followed, the accuracy of the flight schedule was just
amazing.
On
the right is pictured the amazing cockpit detail of the 1/3 scale Fox (picture
by Terry Antell)
There were many familiar faces participating and watching at this event and all could not fail to be impressed by the standard of flying. Although not very scale like towing, whilst in the knife-edge was impressive to watch.
After lunch the German team again impressed by demonstrating freestyle aerobatics to music and continued to impress all afternoon. The English pilots did their thing also, and many superb models were flown
Picture left shows the impressive 1/3 scale Wilga powered by ZDZ 160c.c. petrol engine. (must see my bank manager soon).
Needless to say the day was very enjoyable, Congratulations to Tony and the SSS for organising a great day at a superb venue.
We enjoyed it so much that we have joined the SSS and can't wait to get down the field to practice the aerobatic schedule ourselves. German Akro cup 2001 here we come!!