In the fog, even the crows walk

The organizing committee of IG Warbird, led by Yves Burkhard, managed to mobilize 40 pilots to travel to Schänis with about 60 warbird models.

Beneath the blanket of fog, not only the pilots but also a surprisingly large number of spectators gathered at the Schänis glider airfield. It turned out to be an advantage that the Warbird pilots are accustomed to flying a bit lower, as the fog prevented the models from climbing too high. In the end, it wasn’t quite as bad as the title suggested.

Herbi Jost brought his replica of the Swiss-designed FFA P-16 to Schänis. The turbine-powered 1:5.5-scale model completed flights six and seven. Over the winter, the “Bäbistube”—the cockpit—is scheduled to be built. The jet has a takeoff weight of just under 24 kg.

As if they’d planned it, Reto Schilliger and Ueli Amacker met up at Herbi’s model. Reto has been working on a 1:5 scale P-16 for quite some time, and Ueli has already built several 1:6 scale P-16s. A lively exchange of experiences ensued among the three of them. This should give one or two of them some extra motivation to make a bit of progress on their projects. As is customary at the IG Warbird meet: all models are welcome—even smaller models made of wood or Styrofoam can be brought to the event. Of course, the members of IG Warbird also showcased large and complex models both on the ground and in the air. The variety of models on the flight line was certainly remarkable.

The IG Warbird fall meet was a memorable event for all participants; there were no notable incidents, and despite the cool temperatures, every true Warbird fan’s heart was warmed today.

Photos: Andreas Maier, Joe Mathis, Rodito Nussbaumer