Seventy-five users of wheelchairs have failed their attempt to break the world record by pulling a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft of the Belgian Air Force over a distance of 100 meters. The attempt to get in the Guinness Book of Records organised at Melsbroek airbase on Saturday February 26, 2011 failed at a distance of 67 meters. Wheelchair user Catherine Geldof who organised this event for vzw “Blijf Actief” is nevertheless very proud of these 75 brave men and women. She said: the main motivation for organising this event was to get as many as possible so called “less mobile” people to Melsbroek and help to pull and this certainly was a great success.
The 75 participants are more then proud that they managed to pull the 67 ton heavy aircraft over a distance of 67 meters in really horrible weather condition. Although they didn’t set a new world record, they marvellously proved that less mobile people can achieve much more then what the general public can imagine.
A photo feature:
Participants warming up in the Herpain hangar at Melsbroek airbase before the record attempt
It took some serious organising to attach all wheelchairs of the participants to Lockheed C-130H Hercules CH-10.
The start is given and the most difficult part, getting the first motion in the aircraft, is successful.
One can only be full of admiration for these courageous people managing such a "coup de force" in spite of there physical limitation.
Pulling very hard in spite of the pouring rain and very cold weather conditions.
Last updated 27/02/11 11:35 Daniel Brackx