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Vintage Hang Gliders
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Tony Gittes
Tony Gittes |
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Stephan Nitsch
gave me a copy of
this video
some years ago. The Russian jet was deliberately landed at
Stolln gliding club
to become a permanent static museum displaying stuff on flight. AlsoHere. A more complete version also showing Lilienthal display inside. A tribute to the pioneer of hang gliding and flight who died on the nearby hills. Otto Lilienthal did some of his flying nearby and Stephan showed me the locations. We also went into the aircraft which is now fitted out with the History of Flight display. I have just
come across
this video
which shows Stephan and myself trying out his portable Lilienthal replica.
The Lilienthal hops were filmed by
Thomas Reinhard
another friend of Stephan and flying enthusiast. He has a
web site of his own
which shows a number of whacky human powered road machines built by him.
As you can see in the video, the conditions were not best suited for flying with low cloud and freezing conditions on the first attempts. I am so bulked up with clothing that I look 40 lb heavier than I actually am. As you can see the rear back restraints are not fitted and were left off for easier access. This was a a mistake as it allows the pilot to move back too far and stall the glider. The stall is very sharp and it tries to slam you into the ground as the last shot shows. On the very last flight attempt the left arm support gave way which ended in a crash damaging the aircraft in repeat of one of Lilienthal's own experiences. The Chanute replica was also tried out and it was great to see the two machines together. Stephan has the beard.
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