The 26th edition of the International Old Timer Fly-in at the airfield of Schaffen-Diest again was one of the highlights of the 2009 flying season in Belgium. With many hundreds of aircraft attending the large public was in for great treat and the exceptional sunny weather made this event a very successful happening.  Unfortunately the landing mishap on Saturday reminded that flying old aircraft is not always without risks but fortunately no fatalities were involved although the pilot got seriously injured.  Aircraft present came from Belgium, of course, France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, England etc.

The International Old Timer Fly-in is not an air show, but a pleasant meeting of historical airplanes and their pilots. Some pilots are barely older than their airplanes, while others are young and passionate about restoring these planes in their original condition. This year's "Big Stars of the Show" were without any doubt the Grumman Avenger and North American OV-10B Bronco, but many less eye catching aircraft were very remarkable too. It was also refreshing to see that the number of Yak aircraft of all types continuous to grow; an impressive number of these former Russian and Chinese aircraft attending the Fly in.

Enjoy this photographic report of the 26th International Old Timer Fly-in at Schaffen-Diest.

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Spirited arrival over Schaffen - Diest by North American OV-10B Bronco G-BZGK - former Luftwaffe 99+32 (c/n 338-17) This Bronco was in Luftwaffe service since 1971 where it served for target-towing and anti-aircraft co-operation duties. This particular aircraft was withdrawn from use in the early nineties and made its first post-restoration flight on July 11th 2007 at Duxford. The pilot also demonstrated a real short landing this large machine is capable of.

The superbly polished and rare Luscombe 8A Master F-PMCD (c/n 895) is a regular visitor of the Schaffen Old Timer Fly-Ins.

Stinson AT-19 Reliant (V-77) N1943S (c/n 77-463) on take off from Schaffen. This is a recently restored warbird which received a superb WWII era paint scheme representing the Royal Navy operated Stinson FB735. 

1982 vintage Yak 52 RA3085K taxies in upon landing to join the many other stable mates in the parking area.

S.N.C.A.N. NC 854 F-PMCB of the Association "le Bébert Team" flew in from Blois-Le Breuil in France.

 To many the star of this years gathering, the General Motors TBM-3R Avenger HB-RDG (c/n 3381) painted as 53319/RB-319 flies in formation with Hanno Westdorp's sublime North American AT-6A Texan N13FY (c/n 78-6922) painted as 16544/FY. 

Impulse Aircraft GMBH 100TD OO-F03 (c/n SN 30) performs a fast fly-by for the crowds.

Superbly maintained 1957 vintage De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk.1 N755JM (c/n 1143) in U.S. Marines colour scheme at take off from Schaffen.

Yakovlev Yak-50 D-EEJA (c/n 801705) owned by Werner Mandel flew in from Grefath Niershorst airfield in Germany.

De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth II G-AJHS (c/n 82121) operated by the Dutch "Vliegend Museum Seppe" on take off.

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We would like to dedicate this page to both the pilot and passenger of Ryan PT-22 Recruit, registered N56028 - 295/52ED (c/n 2014) and hope that they will fully recover from their injuries suffered during the tragic accident while landing at Schaffen.  Restored with passion over many years and certainly one of the most beautiful warbirds around, this aircraft was to be one of the top attractions of the fly-in.

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 © Daniel & Kris Brackx (August 2009)

Last updated 16/03/12 09:34   Daniel Brackx

daniel.brackx@telenet.be