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Geschichte

1975 World Free Flight Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

von François Tapernoux
5

Part of the team at the start in Kloten. From top to bottom: Siebenmann, Bucher, Tschuor, Maurer, Haller, Schenker, and Meier as a supporter.


Circular logo for the 1975 Freiflug World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It features a stylized bird or plane and the text 'ПЛОВДИВ БЪЛГАРИЯ', ''75', and 'ФАИ'.
Circular logo for the 1975 Freiflug World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It features a stylized bird or plane and the text 'ПЛОВДИВ БЪЛГАРИЯ', ''75', and 'ФАИ'.

A spectacular opening ceremony. 60,000 spectators watch skydivers, aerobatic displays, and tethered flight demonstrations.


Black and white photograph of a Swissair airplane on the tarmac. A group of people, including team members and supporters, are standing on the stairs leading up to the plane. The plane has 'SWISSAIR' and 'БГ' (Bulgarian Air) markings.
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Black and white photograph of a Swissair airplane on the tarmac. A group of people, including team members and supporters, are standing on the stairs leading up to the plane. The plane has 'SWISSAIR' and 'БГ' (Bulgarian Air) markings.

Seventeen buses were used to transport the competitors. Leading the way was a patrol car with its blue lights flashing, guiding the line of model airplanes.


A black and white photograph showing a long line of buses parked on a grassy field. In the foreground, a man in a dark tracksuit is walking, carrying a large, light-colored rectangular box. Other people are visible in the background near the buses.
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A black and white photograph showing a long line of buses parked on a grassy field. In the foreground, a man in a dark tracksuit is walking, carrying a large, light-colored rectangular box. Other people are visible in the background near the buses.

Hans Reifler had to constantly fine-tune his new rubber-powered model airplanes. He’s only been flying rubber-powered models for a year!

It was essential to keep a close eye on the competition so as not to miss out on the sometimes rare launch opportunities.


Rubber-powered model airplanes (F1B)

Our “Gümmeler” in Action

Fritz Gänsli, Dübendorf


Black and white photograph of Fritz Gänsli, a man in a jacket and shorts, throwing a rubber-powered model airplane into the air. The plane is in flight above him. A car is visible in the background on the left.
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Black and white photograph of Fritz Gänsli, a man in a jacket and shorts, throwing a rubber-powered model airplane into the air. The plane is in flight above him. A car is visible in the background on the left.

Hans Reifler, Affoltern a/A


Black and white photograph of Dieter Siebenmann, a man in a dark shirt and shorts, throwing a rubber-powered model airplane into the air. The plane is in flight above him. The background shows a field with several cars and people in the distance.
Black and white photograph of Dieter Siebenmann, a man in a dark shirt and shorts, throwing a rubber-powered model airplane into the air. The plane is in flight above him. The background shows a field with several cars and people in the distance.

Dieter Siebenmann, Affoltern am Attau

F1B World Champion Paik Chang Sun of North Korea at the awards ceremony


F1B Rankings

78 participants,
29 nations
, 14 in the fly-off

1. Paik Chang Sun, North Korea 1260 + 240 + 300 + 303
2. Bob White, USA 1260 + 240 + 300 + 281
3. Hans Zachalmel, Austria 1260 + 240 + 300 + 280
4. Kim In Sul, North Korea 1260 + 240 + 300 + 243
5. Albrecht Oschatz, East Germany 1260 + 240 + 300 + 235
6. Roberto Artidi, Italy 1260 + 240 + 300 + 222
7. Geze Vincze, Romania 1260 + 240 + 300 + 214
8. Hugo Benedini, Argentina 1260 + 224
9. Jack McGillivray, Canada 1260 + 212
10. Reiner Hofsass, Germany 1260 + 199

- also:
25. Dieter Siebenmann, Switzerland 1216
29. Hans Reifler, Switzerland 1212
34. Fritz Gänsli, Switzerland 1195

Teams:
1. North Korea3,715
2. Poland3674
3. Canada3,667
Also: 9. Switzerland3,623

Black and white photograph of Paik Chang Sun, a North Korean射擊手, standing on a podium during the award ceremony. He is wearing a dark suit and glasses, and is raising his right hand in a gesture of acknowledgment. Behind him, a banner with Cyrillic text is visible. Other people are standing in the background, some looking towards the camera and others away.
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Black and white photograph of Paik Chang Sun, a North Korean射擊手, standing on a podium during the award ceremony. He is wearing a dark suit and glasses, and is raising his right hand in a gesture of acknowledgment. Behind him, a banner with Cyrillic text is visible. Other people are standing in the background, some looking towards the camera and others away.

North Korea, the most successful team at the 1975 World Cup


Model Sailboats (F1A)

Our A2 boys, showing great fighting spirit. From left to right: Tschuor, Bucher, and Haller


Three men holding model gliders in a field.
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Three men holding model gliders in a field.

Line check. An electric car horn sounded when a 2-kg force was applied.


Two men holding a model glider in a field.
Two men holding a model glider in a field.

DeMello CANADA here discussing the sport. He is also a member of the national indoor flying team.

Just one more meter, and this model will undergo a drastic reduction in wingspan. The owner of this model prefers to remain anonymous.


A black and white photograph of a model airplane on a tall pole in a field, with several people watching.
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A black and white photograph of a model airplane on a tall pole in a field, with several people watching.

A major “downdraft debacle.” Sometimes this was the way to avert a hopeless crash.


A black and white photograph of a person standing in a field, looking up at a glider plane in the sky. The person's arms are raised in a gesture of greeting or acknowledgment.
A black and white photograph of a person standing in a field, looking up at a glider plane in the sky. The person's arms are raised in a gesture of greeting or acknowledgment.

The Blessing of the Thermal Brake.


A black and white photograph of a woman wearing a hat and a dark dress, standing next to two tripods with binoculars or cameras. She is smiling at the camera. In the background, another person is visible near a marker with the number 13.
A black and white photograph of a woman wearing a hat and a dark dress, standing next to two tripods with binoculars or cameras. She is smiling at the camera. In the background, another person is visible near a marker with the number 13.

The official interpreter for the competition organizers.


A black and white photograph of two men in a grassy field. The man on the left, Toni Bucher, is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '289' and white shorts. He is carrying a large, light-colored glider with the text 'HB 2125' on its fuselage. The man on the right is wearing a dark t-shirt, light shorts, and a white cap, and is walking towards the camera. In the background, there are several parked vehicles and a distant horizon line.
A black and white photograph of two men in a grassy field. The man on the left, Toni Bucher, is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '289' and white shorts. He is carrying a large, light-colored glider with the text 'HB 2125' on its fuselage. The man on the right is wearing a dark t-shirt, light shorts, and a white cap, and is walking towards the camera. In the background, there are several parked vehicles and a distant horizon line.

Toni Bucher is coming off a strong performance. He finished in a very respectable 9th place.


A black and white photograph of a man, Peter Allnutt, running across a grassy field. He is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '247' and dark shorts. A large crowd of spectators is visible in the background, standing along the edge of the field. The sky is clear and bright.
A black and white photograph of a man, Peter Allnutt, running across a grassy field. He is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '247' and dark shorts. A large crowd of spectators is visible in the background, standing along the edge of the field. The sky is clear and bright.

Peter Allnutt as a marathon runner. At that point, he still thought he had won. He finished as the runner-up in the world championships.


A black and white photograph of a man, Viktor Tchop, being celebrated. He is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '23' and a white cap. He is being held up on the shoulders of several people. A large, light-colored glider is being held above him. A crowd of spectators is visible in the background, and the sky is clear.
A black and white photograph of a man, Viktor Tchop, being celebrated. He is wearing a white athletic singlet with the number '23' and a white cap. He is being held up on the shoulders of several people. A large, light-colored glider is being held above him. A crowd of spectators is visible in the background, and the sky is clear.

World Champion Viktor Tchop of the USSR was celebrated in style.

See page 15 for the F1A rankings!


Motor models (F1C)

As a former javelin thrower, Peter Maurer gave his model an extraordinary initial push! He finished in 15th place!


A black and white photograph capturing a moment at a model aircraft competition. In the upper center, a small, high-wing model airplane is captured in mid-flight against a clear sky. Below, on a grassy field, a group of people are gathered. On the right, a man in athletic wear is captured in the middle of a long-throw spear throw, his body twisted in motion. To his left, several other men are watching the event; one is standing with hands on hips, another is sitting on a folding chair. In the background, several cars are parked, suggesting a casual, outdoor setting. The overall atmosphere is one of focused activity and competition.
A black and white photograph capturing a moment at a model aircraft competition. In the upper center, a small, high-wing model airplane is captured in mid-flight against a clear sky. Below, on a grassy field, a group of people are gathered. On the right, a man in athletic wear is captured in the middle of a long-throw spear throw, his body twisted in motion. To his left, several other men are watching the event; one is standing with hands on hips, another is sitting on a folding chair. In the background, several cars are parked, suggesting a casual, outdoor setting. The overall atmosphere is one of focused activity and competition.

Some preliminary races. Siegfried Reda/West Germany in 4th place


Black and white photograph of a man in a plaid shirt and shorts throwing a model airplane into the air. He is wearing a bib with the number 26. Several other people are standing in the background on a flat, open field.
Black and white photograph of a man in a plaid shirt and shorts throwing a model airplane into the air. He is wearing a bib with the number 26. Several other people are standing in the background on a flat, open field.

The engines run at between 22,000 and 27,000 rpm.


Black and white photograph of a model airplane in flight against a bright, hazy sky. In the foreground, the silhouettes of several people are visible, some with arms raised in excitement.
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Black and white photograph of a model airplane in flight against a bright, hazy sky. In the foreground, the silhouettes of several people are visible, some with arms raised in excitement.

Urs Schaller fought his way to 6th place. He always had a large audience. In terms of design and finish, his models are among the very best! A question from the Bulgarian TV reporter to Urs Schaller: “Why do you fly model airplanes?”


A black and white photograph of a woman interviewing Urs Schaller. The woman is on the left, smiling and holding a microphone. Urs Schaller is in the center, wearing a white t-shirt with a logo and the number 89. He is also wearing sunglasses and a necklace. To the right, another man is partially visible, also wearing sunglasses and a necklace. The background shows a crowd of spectators in a grassy field.
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A black and white photograph of a woman interviewing Urs Schaller. The woman is on the left, smiling and holding a microphone. Urs Schaller is in the center, wearing a white t-shirt with a logo and the number 89. He is also wearing sunglasses and a necklace. To the right, another man is partially visible, also wearing sunglasses and a necklace. The background shows a crowd of spectators in a grassy field.

What's going through the minds of these Bulgarian farmers?


F1A Rankings

92 participants,
31 nations
, 42 in the fly-off

1. Viktor Tchop, USSR 1260 + 240 + 300
2. Peter Allnutt, Canada 1260 + 240 + 131
3. Dietmar Henke, GDR 1260 + 233
4. Ivan Horeisi, Czechoslovakia 1260 + 224
5. J. P. Challin, France 1260 + 210
6. Anton Widensek, Yugoslavia 1260 + 203
7. Mariano Fernandez, Spain 1260 + 191
8. Wieslaw Korczak, Poland 1260 + 186
9. Anton Bucher, Switzerland 1260 + 182

also:
62. Walter Haller, Switzerland 1166
83. G. Tschuor, Switzerland 1034


A group of people, including some shirtless men, gathered around a small aircraft on a grassy field. One man is kneeling and working on the aircraft, while others stand nearby.
A group of people, including some shirtless men, gathered around a small aircraft on a grassy field. One man is kneeling and working on the aircraft, while others stand nearby.

Teams:

1. USSR 3780 (Maximum)
2. North Korea 3780 (Maximum)
3. East Germany 3772

Ruedi Schenker finished 27 seconds behind the leaders and placed 50th. On the far right is team manager Hans Schmid.


F1C Rankings

77 participants; 40 placed
in the first tiebreaker
, 33 in the second tiebreaker
, 20 in the third tiebreaker
; 29 nations

1. Lars Olofson, Sweden 1260 + 180 + 180 + 158
2. Eugenij Verbitzki, USSR 1260 + 180 + 180 + 148
3. M. S. Burns, Canada 1260 + 180 + 180 + 141
4. Siegfried Reda, Germany 1260 + 180 + 180 + 130
5. Reinhard Truppe, Austria 1260 + 180 + 180 + 130
6. Urs Schaller, Switzerland 1260 + 180 + 180 + 128
7. Sing Sang Gul, North Korea 1260 + 180 + 180 + 119
8. Mirko Bjelatag, Yugoslavia 1260 + 180 + 180 + 115
9. Cenok Paek, Czechoslovakia 1260 + 180 + 180 + 112
10. Andreas Mecchner, Hungary 1260 + 180 + 180 + 111

Also:
15. Peter Maurer, Switzerland 1260 + 180 + 180 + 99
50. Rudolf Schenker, Switzerland 1233

Teams:
1. Austria 3786
2. Czechoslovakia 3780
3. USSR 3780


A person lying on the ground in a field, possibly a pilot or crew member, next to a piece of equipment on a tripod.
A person lying on the ground in a field, possibly a pilot or crew member, next to a piece of equipment on a tripod.

The Swiss team used a new type of thermal detector for the first time. The initial results looked promising!

If you’d like to learn more about these World Championships, check out the excellent report by D. Siebenmann in Aero Revue 10/75 (Ed.)


5/1975
Article from the issue 5/1975


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