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Text & Pictures : Serge Van Heertum © sbap 2011
Traditionally like every
year also this year it was time for the 15th wing of Melsbroek Air base to
organise their Indian Day. This, in the first place biker event, was already
held now for the 14th time. On the program 2 trips of over 120 kilometers
spread over the day with arrival back at the 15th wing in time for the evening
festivities. Many bikers as usual came to this event to enjoy the special
atmosphere and the nice sunny weather.
This year a special act was organised namely the second attempt to break a
record moving a C-130 Hercules with a weight of 67 tons over a distance of 100
meters by 84 people in weelchairs. The organisation behind this event is the
association ' Blijf actief', an organisation that strives to help disabled
people to keep active in their daily lives. The former attempt to break the
record failed but the enthousiasm and perseverance to try again made it a succes
this year and a well deserved quotation in the Guiness book of records was
achieved.
After the preparation of the towing cables and the loading of
the aircraft to get the weight 67 tons the participants took their
places. Everybody ready ??? Here we go!!!
Suddenly after some seconds of extreme tension the plane began moving forward,
the crowd around and the coaches screaming to encourage the participants no to
give up with the goal of achieving the record in sight. After a tremendous
effort finally the nose wheel passed the 100 meter mark and a few seconds later
the main wheels did the same.......the records was achieved and all participants
extremely happy and proud of their performance. After official confirmation of
the record by a judge, time came to open the champagne bottles and celebrate the
event by taking some more souvenir pictures.
For the spectators and journalist alike this was a touching moment that brought
up deep admiration for the strong will of these people in their weelchairs to
establish what has never been done before.
They showed that even in a wheelchair with the right amount of will power,
nothing is impossible.
More
informations about "Blijf Actief" association :
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| 14th edition of the Indian Day at Melsbroek Air Base, the well known bikers concentration | |
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| Bikes and planes under the sun | |
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| Lockheed C-130H Hercules | Lockheed-Martin F-16A pilot office could be visited |
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| During the event the civilian traffic was still ongoing | Indian traditions at 15th Wing |
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| Maintenance hangar with the CH01 | |
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| Falcon 900D in preparation for a VIP flight | |
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| The preparations | |
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| Loading of mterial to get the maximum wheight of 67 tons | |
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| The CH04, the partner of the record | |
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| Everybody take is place | |
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| CH09 back from African mission salute the record participant | |
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| All is ready ! Waiting the go... | |
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| We will have this record now...doggy will help ! | |
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| Here we go ! | |
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| The nose wheel passing the line.... | ...and now the main wheel. The record is homologed ! |
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| Champagne ! | A last picture of the participant and their partner "Hercules" |
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A
sympatic participant and his trophy... Congratulations to the "Blijf Actief" association |
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