“Dimona” is home!

Beitragsbild Ⓒ Felix Piringer.

It was August 8^th 2021, the day to return after a week long of holiday and flying in Szatymas, Hungary. We said goodbye to each other around 10:30 hrs. Vehicles took the road and the “Dimona” set to take her voyage back to Graz. While the vehicles were being tanked at the gas station, received a phone call that the “Dimona” was back on the ground due to abnormal engine oil pressure and temperature. The pilot in command took the rightly decision to land the “Dimona”.

Few vehicles headed back to the airfield to inspect and estimate the damage. After a thorough inspection by experts, the decision was made to leave the lady next to the big brother “Antonov AN2”.

After a week of planning on bringing “Dimona” back home with the support of many Akaflieg members, a small team of four took up the challenge.

The journey was taken on 14^th August 2021 Saturday at 11:00 hrs.

Seven hours of drive with some small breaks later, we have reached Szatymas airfield by 18:00 hrs. Without wasting a minute, “Dimona” was rolled from its parking position to a location where it was comfortable to dissemble to use the light of the day.

A brief inspection was done. Szatymas airfield took a good care of the aircraft. Its time to get to work!

Those who knows what to be done, they got to work right away. the ones who do not know, pretend to do something :).

First things first, Wings were down in no time.

We further wanted to use rest of the day light and not hot temperature to do some challenging tasks. We decided to transfer fuselage on to the trailer. After a brief team meeting, we came up with an action plan.

By the time we called it a day, we were cordially invited for dinner by the association of veteran glider pilots from Szatymas. It was Gu Gu Gu Gulasch time 🙂 and bier of course. There were pancakes too. hmmm Leckerrrr…. At the end of the evening there was a bit of pool time as well.

A glance at our sleeping arrangements.

As coffee started its action up on us and the sun shining on our shoulders, it was time to load the wings into the trailer.

Franz did an amazing art work in securing the wings along with the elevator in the trailer. There was no chance that they could move.

Meanwhile “Dimona” was used for the right purposes “Weil sie da ist!” 🙂

Oh, one last thing before we leave. Secure the fuselage, almost forgot.

Little after the noon, we hit the road.

“Dimona” was home safely around 20:00 hrs in its position at Graz West hanger.

Mission Accomplished! 15^th August 2021 Sunday