HARP AEROBATICS

Blue Punto · 31-03-2012 10:34am #1

My Mam found these in a clearout and she didnt know if she should just throw them out
Glad she didnt as I would imagine getting these would be pretty hard these days

Harp Aerobatics by niallsaviation, on Flickr

And one of me(many moons ago) in front of EI-BKA with Mr Wignall to the right(just before he gave me a few of these stickers)

Me.EI-BKA by niallsaviation, on Flickr

Nforce · 31-03-2012 1:03pm

I'd a bunch of those stickers too, and the glossy brochures that he handed out (must have been about '83/84 in EIAB). Arthur was a pure gent and an absolute showman...RIP.

Johnny901 · 31-03-2012 3:24pm

Would second that

What a character.

newcavanman · 31-03-2012 3:49pm

I remember hearing back in the early 80s, that Arthur Wignall had flown almost between the goalposts at a GAA match, possibly in Semple stadium. I often wondered was this true, or just pub talk. Anyone else hear about this?

xflyer · 31-03-2012 6:03pm

I have one of those stickers. Probably from the airshow in Abbeyshrule too.

As for Semple Stadium, well it's possible but unlikely he would actually have flown through the goalposts. All part of the legend. But he was famous for his unannounced displays. He could turn up anywhere and put on an a display for his sponsor. Although I do believe he drank Guinness. His watering hole was Scruffy Murphys. At one point he was the most famous pilot in Ireland.

I was at Mondello Park for the motor racing one day. Suddenly he appeared in his Pitts and put on his usual routine. I thought it was part of the event but as he flew away to great applause the commentator said. 'We don't know who he is but he often comes here and puts on a display.'

It wouldn't happen nowdays. He'd be busted by the IAA.

Delancey · 31-03-2012 10:48pm

Was Arthur Wignall killed in a display accident sometime in the 1980's ?

Blue Punto · 31-03-2012 11:28pm

Yes he was killed in Sligo on April 1st 1984 making today his anniversary

durandal01 · 01-04-2012 11:13am

I remember meeting him at the Fairyhouse airshow in the '80s, he gave me a cloth Harp Lager badge that's still knocking about somewhere at home.
He was a true gent with plenty of time to talk to everybody.
This is the short obituary of him that appeared in Flight International in May, 1984.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1984/1984%20-%200792.html
The bit about the Spitfire in interesting. It was probably a photo recon, I wonder what theatre though, I'm guessing Malaya.

HARP AEROBATICS

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