La Mercy 1985

[foxtrot-victor-delta]

Hi All

A bit of history for those that may be interested.
This is the Official Programme from the 1985 La Mercy Airshow and World Aerobatic Masters Tournament.

It was the first time I heard words like Scully, Pitts and Zlin. I believe the grand finale F1 show was flown by Martin Louw (but stand to be corrected).
Manfred Stossenreuther put on a completely wild show in the Z50 - the likes of which you don't see anymore (maybe due to changes in airshow safety rules). Unfortunately a microlight pilot perished right in front of the crowd.

A totally unforgettable day for a 10 year old. Enjoy...

https://issuu.com/lamercy1985/docs/la_mercy_1985

[Sprocky]

Wow!! Thanks, I was there that weekend. It was totally amazing!!

[Whirly]

Maybe a printing error. The show was in 1985, yet the program states that Kermit Weeks started training aerobatics in 1987.

Whirly.

[Pete]

Yup remember that airshow well.

Manfred Stossenreuther died a year later in a circuit related midair.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_S ... Fenreuther

[Wildcat_005]

That nexk Saturday I did the Mirage 3 show at Wonderboom and it was mentioned that someone was killed at La Mercy. The briefing concluded and up first was a mass formation of light aircraft to perform a fly past. They still used runway 06 for take off’s and the crowd line. The leader (cannot remember him but it was a civilian pilot) with a passenger (would have been the late Herman Potgieter but he could not make it. Another civvie took his place) took off and turned out early to the right, away from the crowd. Tony Smith and Bob Masson was his no 2 and 3. They caught up in the turn but the leader had slowed down and as both of them started formatting on the leader, they both semi-stalled and the leader stalled and spun in right in front of the crowd. I was horrified. Tony and Bob both recovered as these gentlemen were on top of their game. That was not nice to see. This is how the show started. Sad day.

[Ugly Duckling]

That nexk Saturday I did the Mirage 3 show at Wonderboom and it was mentioned that someone was killed at La Mercy. The briefing concluded and up first was a mass formation of light aircraft to perform a fly past. They still used runway 06 for take off’s and the crowd line. The leader (cannot remember him but it was a civilian pilot) with a passenger (would have been the late Herman Potgieter but he could not make it. Another civvie took his place) took off and turned out early to the right, away from the crowd. Tony Smith and Bob Masson was his no 2 and 3. They caught up in the turn but the leader had slowed down and as both of them started formatting on the leader, they both semi-stalled and the leader stalled and spun in right in front of the crowd. I was horrified. Tony and Bob both recovered as these gentlemen were on top of their game. That was not nice to see. This is how the show started. Sad day.

Was that a Fairchild that spun in?

[Wildcat_005]

I think so Paul. I was very good friends with Herman Potgieter and he was shocked to see the accident right in front of us. Just was not his time…..yet.

[Ugly Duckling]

The Fairchild prang
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