Oldtimer Fliegertreffen, Hahnweide 2013 - Part 2 of 2
In the second part of the 2013 Oltimer Fliegertreffen series, we will check out some of the other vintage aircraft at Hahnweide like these two Polish built, PZL agricultural aircraft below. If you have missed Part 1, please click here first.
Mikael Carlson
Even though there are a lot of very interesting people at Hahnweide, one of the most remarkable ones is Mikael Carlson. This Swedish B737 captain, has a beautiful collection of original aircraft from the early years of aviation. I've seen Mikael fly for the first time at the 2008 Al Ain airshow in the UAE. Flying his Bleriot XI from the beginning of the 20th century, with the amazing desert in the background, is something that I'll never forget!
Just a few days before the start of the Hahnweide show, he unfortunately had to crash land his Bleriot XI at the Swiss Dittingen airshow after engine trouble. Not wanting to disappoint the German spectators, he made a 3000 km return road trip to Sweden, in order to pick up his second Bleriot XI. That is what I call dedication!
On Thursday night, the day before the show officially opened, Carlson flew his other aircraft at the show, the Fokker Dr. VII Albatross. I was clearly not the only one that got goose bumps while he flew this original 1918 World War II fighter, for a small audience, right at sunset. Another amazing aviation event that is now engraved in my memory...
On Friday afternoon, he flew his Fokker Dr VII in formation with a Fokker Dr I Dreidecker (Triplane) flown by Thomas Koch. Flying these two WWI airplanes in formation had apparently not been done in over 90 years!
Junckers JU-52
A brief description of this German WWII transport airplane developed nicknamed, "Tanta Ju" (Aunt Ju) can be found in the Pic(k) of the week 37 post from a few weeks ago. While there are only 4 remaining airworthy JU-52's in the world, all of them made it into Hahnweide. Their formation was accompanied by a fifth Casa-352, which is basically a JU-52 built under license in Spain.
Beside the Junckers there was also a nice collection of Antonov AN-2's present at the show. This Russian built airplane which is the largest single engine biplane, is known for its short field take-off and landing capability (STOL).
I'm particularly interested in the rare birds.... Aircraft like this Curtiss Robin J-1 below, which is one of two remaining in the world. Hard to believe this aircraft held the record for the highest number of aileron rolls (400!) without stopping in 1929!
Or this Swiss registered nineteen thirties Praga E-114M Air Baby which is the only remaining one flying!
As Hahnweide is a very active glider airfield outside the show days, it is only normal that quite a few Oldtimer gliders were present as well. The one below is a 1930's Schneider Granau Baby.
Once of the things that make Hahnweide so special is the fact that the show-grounds remain open till well after midnight. After the daily airshow, which lasts till around sunset time, some of the warbirds are used as the decor for a great sound and light show.
Overall, the Oldtimer Fliegertreffen in Hahnweide, exceeded all of my expectations. Over the years, I've attended probably more than 50 large airshows and fly-inns worldwide and this one surely comes in the top 5! It is a great social aviation event with a top notch organisation and plenty of variety amongst the participants.
See you at the next edition of Hahnweide, September 4th to 6th, 2015!
See you at the next edition of Hahnweide, September 4th to 6th, 2015!
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