A small visit to the AirFighter Academy Gmbh/ Hangar 10

[Matthias Dorst]

The russian corner :

• Polikarpov Po-2 "Sewing machine" D-EEPO
• Yakovlev Yak-9U D-FAFA
• non flyable GAZ 64

At first the huge Po-2. Typical russian construction. Simple, easy to maintain and rockstable. I am not sure if this bird is ugly or not. Its special .... and millions of details. The Po-2 is also often in the air .. you know sunsetflights





















fuel noise converter





cockpit





en bloc



and woow, smooth transition to the Gaz Mobil



The Gaz mobile. Also typical russian. In the origins a Willys Jeep copy. Build from 1941 to 1944. Of course roadworthy





alongside the "sewing machine" the beautiful (Allison powered) Yak-9U D-FAFA. Its one of those Strela postwar productions. This plane was also under restoration at the MeierMotors facility

Last edited by Matthias Dorst on Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[redvanner]

Very cool Mathias, looks like a very interesting place.

Scott, I have been there 3 times in 2 1/2 years (my mother lives in the northeastern part of Germany now). And every time I got there, something changed. A bit here, another there. More planes, better information, a different aspect too. First the planes, then vehicles too, engines added as well. Every time I went there, I was surprised they found something to improve, to show a collection that was not only expanding, but also widening as well. It is astonishing how good a collection this is, regarding the few people behind it. I would say, some museum folks should visit and they could improve their own exhibitions just by the positive example shown by the guys of AirFighter Academy. If you are in the general area and you´ve got the time, I would recommend a visit there by all means.

And thanks Matthias, superb photos as usual. Seeing them, even the best of my own pics seem to be crap.
Keep on going.

Michael

Last edited by redvanner on Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Matthias Dorst]

Here we are, here we go. The final section of the collection.

I love details, and I love when the circle closes. The collection ist arrangend clockwise. 12O´clock the TF-51, the mighty American fighter, 6 O´clock the fantastic Spitfire. 3 O´clock the Messerschmitt Bf109, 9O clock the hangar gates with Stearman and AT-6. In the middle of all the remains of a crashed Bf109 Emil. Over all, attached to the ceiling of the hangar a unrestored old Schulgleiter SG 38 (a primitive sailplane in which all German pilots learnd to fly) towards a restored SG 38. Like a Phoenix. The circle close.
You see the compostion and you will say "Yes, thats it". I told Volker my thoughts and he smiled "That was my intention and I am happy that you registerd it". What a man, what a family, what a collection.

The German corner :

• SG-38
• Bücker Bü131b Jungmann D-EJTR
• Bücker Bü133 D-EPAX
• Messerschmitt Bf109E , crashed relicts
• Hispano Aviacion Buchon D-FMVS (under repair at MeierMotors after taxiing crash)
• Messerschmitt Bf109 G-14 (static display Falch)
• Focke Wulf Fw190D (static display Falch under construction)
• DKW F.8 Reichsklasse
• NSU Kettenkrad SdKfz2
• Zündapp Gespann KS750

lets begin with the "Emil". The remains were recovered in the Alps. In my eyes perfectly arranged and you have enough time to think about cause its centered in the hangar. Btw. at the beginning of the collection you can take light folding chairs with you. So you can sit down and let your thoughts flow. Quite a good idea.

[Matthias Dorst]

"pas-de-deux" above the Emil remains

[Matthias Dorst]

At the far end of the German row you will find a Focke Wulf Fw190 D9. In my eyes the ultimate German airsuperiority fighter. Only a handful survived. A perfect one (D-13) now stored at FHC (glad you are in the States, its really an icon).

Well, this one is .... I donts know. Its a Dora but it doesnt "speak" to me. I think its a 98% repro. Really dont know and I didnt had the chance to discuss this exhibit with Volker. The Dora does not belong to the collection of Hangar 10. The AirFighter Academy gave shelter to Mr.Falch, his Austrian company "Sandy Air" is well known for salvaging wartime relicts. I knew that worksnumber as 99% damage, but well..... its now for sale at Platinum Fighters

To be honest, I did not waste too much time to make a walkaround, as I said, the "Dora" did not "speak" to me. But its really a mighty plane and one of my deepest wishes is to see and to hear the FHC Dora roar and fly ..... just a dream

[Matthias Dorst]

Beside the Dora another German fighter, the beautiful Messerschmitt Bf109G-14. A pretty rare "last eagle". Its a reproduction using old parts, purchased from Sandy Air (Mr.Falch). Of course its a static ehibit











Again, also this fighter didnt "speak" to me. I am not really a friend of static reproductions using spare parts. But, well done, respect to the builder of this fighter. The shape of a Bf109 is awesome and not every visitor is a specialist. The visitor wants to see a one-o-nine and here is one.

[Matthias Dorst]

Another history making exhibit. The Ex-Kindsvater Buchon, acting in the movie "Battle of Britain" as "Red 5", now the D-FMVS. You saw that fighter together with 2 other Buchons at the breathtaking display Duxford Flying Legneds 2011.
Well, the Buchon D-FMVS should have its place beside the G-14. Sadly, a taxiing mishap happened to the acting pilot Walter Eichhorn and the fighter is damaged. The plane is under repair at MeierMotors. The Merlin is scrap, the fuselage damaged. Some work for the team at the MeierMotors facility.



Legends 2011, 9 O´clock position, Charlie Brown at the controls





Walkaround on my homepage

[Matthias Dorst]

nice car, perfect shape, the good old DKW F.8 Reichsklasse convertible. Build between 1939-42 in Zwickau.

The red on the pictures is too bright, some probs with my Canon EOS I think











beside, the famous "Kleine Kettenkrad" Sd.Kfz2 build by NSU (Neckarsulm). A quite famous vehicle





and a Zuendapp KS750 sidecar

[Matthias Dorst]

As you might know, I am a big fan of biplanes and I am a fan of those Buecker aircraft. Beautiful planes, lovely shape and pure German history.

At first the Buecker Jungmann Bue131b .



Eyecandy in perfect shape. This bipe is pretty rare, its not a Spanish Casa license, its an original Dornier production (Do-Flug), earing the worksnumber 49. It was built 14th April 1939. One of the rare survivors of German production. Its the typical primary trainer of the former German airforce. After the war the plane was operated by the Swiss Airforce with tactical code A38, later 1954 private operated as HB-UTR. Now the wonderful bipe "lives" in the Hangar 10 and is flown often by the owner. He said, he´s lovely to fly, an honest plane.

A glimpse from "man" to "master" (Jungmann Bue131, Jungmeister Bue133)





The original Hirth-engine






under maintenance at MeierMotors

Bücker Jungmann Restoration at MeierMotors

[Matthias Dorst]

The newest exhibit in the collection ... the famous Buecker 133c Jungmeister , worksnumber 51, German Reg D-EPAX
Build in the year 1937, in perfect condition with original Siemens radial. The acrobatic plane is often flown by the owner and he gets such a special countenance when he tells his flight experiences with that small super agile powerful biplane. Its one of the most famous aerobatic planes of his era and was flown long after the war in competitions all over the world. It was used at the Olympic Games Berlin and of course used in World War 2 as advanced trainer for dogfights and aerobatic manoevers. Again eyecandy



The family purchased that bipe cause its a.) a fantastic plane and b.) and it was operated from Heringsdorf in World War 2 with a Lehrgeschwader (training squadron), will say a reminiscence to the airfield. Hangar 10 is having a collection of movie-material showing those biplanes training over the Heringsdorf airfield. Unbelievable what those pilots had done with that small plane... incredible aerobatics, low level stunts and so on. I sat a while and watched those movies with open mouth. Red Bull Airraces ... *paah







On Friday the plane was prepared for another flight in the afternoon. Small service, done by one of the sons of the family. Where did he learn that ? Well, at MeierMotors of course

[Matthias Dorst]

details over details

[Matthias Dorst]

Details Buecker Jungmeister part 2







the original Siemens radial engine, I love it













Good to see how the lightweight cowling is attached to the airframe. Its pretty complex with a ring at the front end and rear end. The cowling stretches itself and then is rockstable in place. Perfect engeneered .... but changing the sparkplugs is horror, because the "mounting-rings" are always standing in the way. The beautiful exhaust round off a beautiful construction.





Well, that was the German Corner and so the end of the exhibition.

[Matthias Dorst]

In the evening I was invited by the owners family for diner in the Restaurant "Big Beautiful Doll". As you might know, the P-51D "Big Beautiful Doll" D-FBBD belonged to the collection. BBD was lost due an inflight crash at the Duxford Balbo 2011. The pilot Rob Davies managed to bail out in the very last second. The pilot Rob Davies is a friend of the family and sometimes when he is visiting the collection, a Mustang ride with TF-51 "Little Ite" is compulsory.



Well, the restaurant is called "Big Beautiful Doll" and I can tell you, its pretty good and not expensive. It was a wonderful avening, talking about planes, ideas and emotions. I asked Volker "We are on an island ?" and he expalined me the topography. I said only, well I will come again, and I will see the "Eastern sea" ans take a bath, just relaxing a bit. And I explained that I didnt realized that this is an island.

sundown and a perfect night followed for me and the famous duck

[Matthias Dorst]

no headache beautiful weather, perfect breakfast .... time for a last inspection af the collection and time to say good bye.

I met Volker around, he was a bit in a hurry, but he had this special grin in his face. "Matthias come along, I dont have much time. At 11 O´clock there is a meeting. Hurry up, I show you the Baltic Sea" ... wow

We went around the Hangar and there stood the wunderful EC135 Colibri D-HITE awaiting me and the pilot Volker. He laughed again and said "Well Iam a business man and time is money. This Heli is fast and so it saves time. Saving time is making money, not wasting it. Come on, we have 15 minutes" .... what a man and what a gift to me. My first helicopter flight in my life ..... where is the famous duck ?



I dont like helicopters. Planes were the wings are faster than the whole plane are suspicious. But ... its a beauty





and here we go



flying over the "Stettiner Haff" (fresh water), only some meters away from the airfield ....



on the right the airfield



turn right, direction Heringsdorf



in the center in the dust , the Polish Swinemuende, not far away from Heringsdorf



the Baltic Sea in sight



Heringsdorf with the famous seabridge and the beautiful beach





Heringsdorf



and back to Heringsdorf airfield, you can see the Stettiner Haff at the horizon



in the center the airfield



closer



short final eingebogen, like a real plane ... funny



On the right Hangar10, on the closer right you can see the tower and passenger terminal of Heringsdorf Airport. In the center the tarmac, besides right the old grass runway. On the left following the center of the tarmac between left taxiway and tarmac you can see the new grass runway arranged by the Airfighter Academy, wide and even, perfect for highperformance aircraft.



hangar 10



Unforgettable impressions ..... Volker landed the ship, cordially hug, a smile in the face "You know my meeting" Simply wow.

Again back in the car heading Berlin Schoenefeld, heading home.



back home ....

[Matthias Dorst]

That was my trip to Heringsdorf. I hope you enjoyed my travel report..... and perhaps we meet each other at the AirFighter Academy Hangar 10 on the island usedom, smoking a cigar in the BBD Longue, drinking a glass of wine or whisky and talk about warbirds