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90 Year in review
Rainer Zimmermann
My first visit to Sinsheim was already a few all-day flight demonstrations and hundreds of aircraft
days after the opening in May 1981. In the on display. A visit to Lufthansa Technik at the aircraft
following years I visited the museum as a maintenance of Frankfurt Airport was also among the
fan of technology from time to time. I did my highlights for me. The most eventful trip, however, was
military service in the German Air Force. The to Moscow in 2013. Highlights included a visit to Star
training included the recognition of all kinds City, the cosmonaut training center, together with
of aircraft of the Warsaw Pact. This Buran pilot Igor Volk, the Space Museum and the
also finally awakened my enthusiasm for German Embassy. On the trips and excursions one got
aircraft technology. So after my military ser- to meet members of former appointments again and
vice I joined the friends‘ association in March again – and until today I am in contact with some of
1988. them. Here I also got to know Jürgen Michels. He was
substantial for the founding of the museum in Speyer
One year later Mr. Böckle initiated museum and the acquisition of the large Antonov AN-22
trips. My first participation was in May 1990 transport aircraft. In total, I participated in 53 museum
to Prague - where I also got to know other trips, day trips and theater visits to Jagsthausen.
members of the association personally for Unfortunately, the trips and excursions were
the first time. In this city, so shortly after discontinued in 2017, which many members missed.
the fall of the Iron Curtain still strongly Since joining the association, I have attended every
influenced by socialism, I recognized some general meeting. One meeting in particular has remained
aircraft types from my training as an in my memory: Hermann Layher presented the „Brutus“
airspace observer in a museum of to the participants. The vehicle was just finished at that
technology. Further trips took me through time and I think not even presented to the public yet. I
Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, will never forget the moment when the engine started.
Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, England, Every time at BRAZZELTAG, when the crowd stands
Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, around Brutus and it comes to life I remember that first
Luxembourg and Russia. In the process, time. From the faces in the audience you can see exactly
there often were extraordinary experiences. who has not yet experienced the awakening of Brutus.
Highlights included a visit to NATO Since I don’t live far from the museums, I visit them se-
headquarters in Brussels with a personal veral times a year, usually at events. So far, I took part at
meeting with Secretary General at that time, all occasions of BRAZZELTAG. For me, it always is
Manfred Wörner. Visits to technical and an experience to see the most different vehicles and
military museums often provided insights devices in action. There is something new to discover
into non-public areas, including the every year.
Concorde exhibitions in England and France.
Twice we flew from Zurich-Dübendorf in The space activities in Speyer are always very special
Ju-Air‘s JU 52; in England at the Dorset events. Especially the lecture of Alexander Gerst in the
Steam Team, the largest gathering of space hall which attracted thousands of visitors will
steam-powered vehicles, or the „Royal Inter- always remain in my memory. Here I get to meet former
national Air Tatoo“ air show with friends and colleagues from the association whom I met
