Les Manchots - The Penguins

On the occasion of the 1964 meeting in Melsbroek, the Elementary Flying School of the Air Force (EVS Goetsenhoven) was asked to participate in an international show with the training aircraft Stampe & Vertongen SV-4B.

At the beginning of 1965, training sessions began with the intention of forming a real acrobatic team.

Given the characteristics of the SV‑4B, it is difficult to compile a program that could be compared to other teams equipped with jet aircraft.

The SV-4B is much slower and lighter, also much less powerful and very much subject to the whims of the wind.

On the other hand, it is better suited than many other aircraft for aerobatic movements and for inverted flights.

With a view to participating in airshows, and without interrupting their duties as monitors, commander Feyten and lieutenant Lambermont practiced on patrol, while adjutant chief pilot Janssens continued the exercises solo.

The originality of the Manchots patrol was evidenced by the realisation of a whole series of bold acrobatic figures in which the possibilities of inverted flight were exploited to the fullest. The young patrol officially performs for the first time during the international flying meeting in Brustem in 1965.

In 1966, a year with a mass of presentations, lieutenant pilot Christiaens replaces lieutenant pilot Lambermont.

In 1967, the patrol still has no name.

The emblem of the EVS on the one hand and the originality of the figures presented and the virtuosity of the pilots on the other contribute to the choice of the rather unusual and humorous name : The MANCHOTS (the penguins or a one-armed one; hence : someone who is particularly clumsy).

The offers for presentations at home and abroad keep piling up and soon a strict selection is indispensable.

The patrol demonstrated far abroad, which entailed long journeys and long flights: Troyes (F), Middleton See Side (GB), Eindhoven (NL), Hunsborn (D), Ravenna (I)…

SV-4Bs that were part of the acro team “Les Manchots”:

V18 White-black with red sun ray

V28 Same decoration

V64 Yellow-black spare aircraft

In 1964 with yellow-black lines

In 1966 without lines with large Manchot on the rudder

V19 1964 orange then ditto V64

V65 Same as V18 with small Manchot on the rudder - reserve

The V65 was probably the very first SV-4B with special painting and this already in 1957, before the participation of Adj. A. Janssens at the Lockheed Aerobatic Trophy. After his participation, the V65 was used for solo demonstrations for another 2 years.

Details of the demonstration :

* Vertical acrobatic manoeuvres such as loops and stall turns in closed inverted flight formation.

* About twenty acrobatics and fifteen formation changes in 12 minutes within the limits of an average airfield.

* All this with an altitude loss of only 300 meters.