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Text & Pictures : Serge Van Heertum - ©SBAP 2011
On August 10th Spa-La Sauvenière in the Belgian Ardennes was the
place chosen to commemorate the disappearance of two Belgian pilots forty years
ago.
In December 1971, Robby De Bruyn and Roger Fagnoul disappeared during a SF.260
delivery flight in the mountains
of Irak.
Both pilots were from the Belgian Air Force and in parallel they flew for the
Italian company SIAI.
It's during a transfer flight of an aircraft of the Singapore Air Force that the
crash happened.
The story of both pilots is now told in a book written by General
er
Michel Mandl and this remembrance day was the occasion to present this book.
To underline this commemoration, the Belgian Air Force Red Devils team was
present for a demonstration, in fact Roger Fagnoul was also a former Red Devils
pilot on Fouga Magister.
After some speeches and the book presentation, the
Red Devils
did their fair weather presentation and the enthusiasm of all the
invited public and
the
old pilots present at this ceremony was obvious. This was also the occasion for
the retired pilots to chat and recollect old souvenirs and experiences.
During this event, the summer holiday activities continues and this was also a
good opportunity to make some pictures
of local aircraft.
Also this was a nice treat for the spectators present for the event to witness
an amazing demonstration done by Guy Rotheux and his Pipier Cub.
As a conclusion we can say that August 10th at Spa was a nice
remembrance day for two Belgian aviation figures who too early disappeared...
SBAP would like to thanks the organisators for the report facilities and particularly "Mich" Mandl for his usual kindness.
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If
this story captures you’re interest, the book of “Mich” Mandl can be ordered with the “Vielles Tiges de l'aviation belge” association. (Click on the book for the order form) |
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OO-ALE : Reims aviation Cessna F172M Skyhawk II |
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OO-HBW : Reims aviation Cessna F150G |
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OO-HCT : Robinson R44 Raven |
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OO-SPA : Cessna 208 Caravan I |
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| The usual activities of Aero-para club SPA | |
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| Yak 52 during maintenance in the ceremony hangar |
OO-HDZ : Robinson R22 Beta II |
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OO-E21 : Aeropro Eurofox |
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| Participant arrivals | |
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| OO-SPG & OO-LGB : Piper L-18C Super Cub | |
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| Arrival of the star of the day : the Red Devils | |
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| the mascot of the team... | ...showed by Peter, one of the technician |
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OO-SPQ : Piper L-18c Super Cub |
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| a nice demonstration with a splendid background | |
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N60LT : Pilatus PC-7 |
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| The ceremony | |
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| Didier Waelkens, general secretary of the VTB association | General er "Mich" Mandl during the remembrance speech |
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| Showing his new book... | ...and signing his work |
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| Briefing..."Papy", "Albert" and "Mel" | Open talk |
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| "Stef" | ...with the presence of Jacques "Red" dewaelheyns first Fouga "Reds" |
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| Preparing for the show | everybody in place |
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| start up | some drills |
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| on taxi | |
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| "Mel" | the four "reds" going to the holding point |
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| "Papy" at take off... | ...Pull up ! |
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| Climbing in box formation | and down after the first clover leaf |
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| preparing to cross the solo | above a looping |
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| and for the split...top... | ...top ! |
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| A last pass for the break and downwind | Break ! |
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| Technician in action after the flight | Hot debriefing...show is over |