1968 was a dire year thanks to "Cold War", here in México & behind "The Iron Curtain" as well. I was just appointed shop manager at Organización VW Mexicana (OVMEX) , and had to instruct my 25 humans on how to perform as a team. To give them some incentive & pride in the VW organisation (bossed by racist ex-Hitlerjugend), I briefly introduced myself as non-racist German & admirer of mexican ancient cultures, also pointing out that if Germany was lifting itself from the WW II disaster (and WW I) thanks in great part to the humble VW Sedan we were fixing daily, powered by an even humbler motor of 36 Hp.
Then Mira Slovak decided to cross the Atlantic with a glider powered by this humble engine. Completely forgoten today even though he died recently in 2004: Daredevil pilot Mira Slovak, who escaped Iron Curtain during Cold War, dies at 84.
Next photo portraits his daring feat. Notice the ¿safety equipment? Mira loaded in his build in Germany frail aircraft, exploded over the wing:
A photo of VW engine maintenance (sealing the exhaust pipes it seems to me) by his friend Charlie Webber:
The flight as told by Mira Slovak himself: THiRTY-SiX HORSEPOWER OVER THE ATLANTiC
The Club's opinion: Club Fournier International-America - The Plain Dealer May 26 1968
I have recently downloaded a model of RF4-D from here (after pestering Pete with the no download thing Gracias PETE!!) because I intend to use my Copy/Paste abilities for reproducing this very livery & (weather permiting!!) fly this forgoten aereal feat. The aircraft specs:
(The original image is too big for Pete's sake, so if the blurries atack details, go to http://www.cfiamerica.com/images/Fournier-rf4d-brochure.jpg)
Will post screenshots after completing this livery, Jean