Guided tours for fans by fans in the Technik Museum Speyer‘s Transall aircraft

When the Transall aircraft landed in Speyer in 2011, nobody thought that it would ever start again. For a few years, the impressive aircraft stood only as a stationary exhibit on the museum’s premises. But then two aeroplane fans had an idea that changed everything. Peter Horsch (Classic Aviators) and Markus Willimek (former Transall engineer) wanted to bring the powerful aircraft back to life. No sooner said than done! For several months, the two enthusiasts worked on the "Trall". The result of their work could be seen, heard and felt live at the BRAZZELTAG 2019. "It was an experience for all the senses and a must for every aeroplane fan. Where else can you enjoy the experience of starting the engine of a Transall up close," Peter Horsch proclaims with enthusiasm. The museum’s fans were back again in action in 2021 for the Technik Museum Speyer‘s anniversary year. "People are very interested in this aeroplane. The response was enormous and at all our events, many fans came to see the plane. So we quickly decided to offer guided tours again in 2022," Willimek explains. The guided tour will take place on 29th October 2022. The engine will be started at 11 am and 4 pm respectively. For the guided tours, you will have to have a valid day ticket for the Technik Museum Speyer. All information about the guided tours can be found at www.technik-museum.de/….                                                                                                        

Information about the Transall aircraft

In 2011, German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe) transport aircraft of the type Transall C 160 were retired for the first time. Thousands of soldiers got to know the robust aircraft as a reliable means of transport. The first aircraft to be retired landed on Tuesday, 12th April 2011 at 8:45 am at Speyer Airport. It became part of major aviation exhibitions at Technik Museum Sinsheim and Speyer.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the German Air Force and the French Air Force needed a tactical transport aircraft. Development of the robust aircraft was in the hands of Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Bremen, Hamburger Flugzeugbau and the French company Nord Aviation. The first of three prototypes flew in February 1963. The German Air Force received its first aircraft on 30th April 1968. Another 110 Transall aircraft followed and replaced the previously used "Noratlas" Nord 2501. It has 93 seats for transporting passengers. It has room for 62 stretchers and four caregivers when transporting sick or wounded people. In addition, each one has 5 crew members. It has a payload of 16,000 kg. Vehicles can drive directly into the aircraft via the rear loading ramp. The Transall aircraft has self-supporting shoulder wings with a length of 40 m, a wingspread of 40 metres and a height of 12.3 metres. The two four-bladed propellers with a diameter of 5.4 metres are driven by two Rolls-Royce engines with a nominal output of 5747 hp each. Its average cruising speed is 490 km/h, and maximum speed is 520 km/h. The rate of climb is 8 m/s. The machine reaches a service ceiling of about 30,000 feet.