Hi Guys,
I thought you might be interested to see the very first pictures published of the Z-1 Flitzer prototype in its debut year of 1996.
The were featured in the April issue of Aeroplane Monthly magazine, and created a tremendous stir in the aeroplane watching public, with a great reaction from Germany. Nobody realised at the time that it was an 'April Fool'!
I spoke with the then head of the German 'CAA', who had granted permission for me to carry the genuine 1926 registration, D692, which was part of a batch restricted for aeroplanes of under 500 kg AUW (perfect!), and which for some mysterious reason, had never been issued (which fitted the conspiracy and plotting - in my novel - like a glove) and he said, "Tell me, vas it really carried unter ein Zeppelin?"
I replied, truthfully. "Well, in the novel, yes..."
"FANTASTISCHE!" he exclaimed, "You know the Russians burned all our records in 1945!"
So for several years it flew, carrying the registration D692, despite the official displeasure of the UK regulatory authority, the CAA, who finally withdrew permission to fly with these markings in 1999.
Still, it achieved some publicity, and was thought to be the 'genuine article' among many airshow spectators. I overheard some, pointing it out to their wide-eyed child, ".... and it dropped from a trapeze hung beneath the control car of the airship, and then flew away on its own!"
Some later even told me of its history, in letters. Full circle!
Cheers,
Lynn |
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