Fly over the Alps with a glider… Fly over Mont Blanc… or parachute on a glacier… You might be shaken by even the smallest detail. You’re not reckless. Here’s a lesson in courage straight from the 1950s.
Although we don’t know exactly what was in the air in 1955, it is clear that aviation enthusiasts had ants in their wings in the spring.
It began on April 11, near Grenoble. We are blessed with good weather and a strong wind… At Aero-Club du Dauphine we believe that the conditions are perfect for achieving a flight that was in the mind of a few pilots over many years: flying Grenoble to Turin via a glider, clearly passing over the Alps.
Chief pilot Giraud, Dauphine Libere: “We have been dreaming about this flight for four to five years.” “But it’s not easy to glide over peaks close to 4000m,” Giraud explains. We are happy to admit it, Mr. Giraud. Unless you are young and reckless.
Jean Poncet, Jean-Louis Perrier are two examples. They are both 23-year-old drivers and have the highest references in France. They will, it is reported, attempt the adventure on April 12.
Just in case…
Jean Poncet, in his Air 100 single-seater, took Jean-Louis Perrier’s place in his Milan single-seater. They both believe it. In anticipation of their arrival at Turin, they took their passports as well as their Italian money.
After taking off, the winch pulls them to the vertical Bourg d’Oisans by Hugo Bertoncelli. He beats a Kranisch glider record of 5200m. The two young drivers then continue on their own, independently.
Here is the Ecrins, a light wind blowing at 100 km/h. The lack of oxygen starts to take its toll at 5400m. Poncet will then be confronted by a torrential rain of tobacco. At 4000m, the pilot begins to feel hampered by the lack of maps. You can still go to Turin. However, you must know where it is. The view from the Alps is spectacular in good weather. Poncet soon sees the city naked. Bet almost won.
Updrafts
Perrier? Perrier? He was forced to reconsider landing at Lautaret because the conditions were less favorable. Phew! An ascent towards Villar d’Arene and the ace in the airs crosses Briancon. He then continues on the same route as his friend, even though he doesn’t see him. Turin is also within his reach! The dream became a reality when the pilots were able to win the bet.
The only problem is that the Iserois attempt to crash land was not known by the Italians. We believe that the gliders crashed into the aerodrome after they arrived. La Stampa in Italy also published the following title: “Dramatic adventure by two Frenchmen left for a short flight.” Another headline was “Two gliders traverse the Alps powered by a gust wind”. French will be told that even the pilots of the flying club thought we were lost and that we had landed unintentionally.
It will take explanations, showing passports and other documents so that the Italians eventually admit to the feat and then suddenly congratulate them!
It is still to come back… and it will be even more difficult than expected. Giraud was at the controls of a twin engine plane and picked them up. He then had to tow them back.
Turin will be our departure point on April 14, at 9:50 AM. The Drajar de Giraud pulls the two gliders, which are positioned in a V 50m apart. As you approach the first Alpine peaks strong turbulence starts to enhance the flight. The twin-engine plane is at its peak, as the Dauphine photographer can confirm. However, even the slightest decrease in speed can cause a stall. Gliders are also restricted to 140 km/h due to their traction.
The situation is getting more complicated due to speed, altitude and cold (-13degC at 4600m). Perrier’s cockpit’s plexiglass will also burst. These signs will be most noticeable in the men. Pilots are seized by the mountain intoxication at 4500m above Montgenevre. It is important to get down before you fall into euphoria, then asphyxiation.
Loopings and low-closing to finish in style
This is a wonderful story with a happy end. Alpe d’Huez can be seen quickly and we start the descent to Grenoble. We flew above the Romanche and even went down over the Croix de Chamrousse before the crowd at the Jean Mermoz Aerodrome saw our heroes in the air. Are you tired of the “Tanguy and Laverdure?” It’s not enough to be reasonable. Poncet and Perrier therefore tie the loops together before landing at 11:45.
The two champions were wrapped up in their jerseys and received an ovation worthy to air aces. They were then received at the Dauphine Libere the following evening to end this unforgettable day.
Why not Mont Blanc?
We told you that there was something happening in spring… On the Savoy side of the Savoy, another idea was being conceived by another driver. Rene Branciard is the chief pilot from Challes-les-Eaux and he is shooting for Mont Blanc.
The man is responsible for taking readings at high altitude every day for the national weather forecast. This corner of the sky is like a second home to him. Even though many of his attempts have failed, he believes it is possible, with strong updrafts, to fly to the roof and say hello to Europe.
He tried his luck on April 13. He took his Breguet900 to Le Fayet, and then he flew back into the air. Dauphine was told by him that he saw a wind speed of 90 km/h at 3000m. “The glider was slow climbing and I was looking to find favorable lift. From the Tre-la-Tete glacier up to the Dome du Gouter at 4000m, there was no way of climbing a meter. Only towards the Dome did I encounter a lift. I quickly gained altitude at 2m50 per sec, then 1m50 at 5950m. Bet won and Branciard was able to fly above Mont Blanc in a glider.
It was tempting to go higher than 5950m. The idea of going beyond 5950m was not possible without heating and oxygen onboard.
It’s also a popular topic among the Swiss
The Swiss suddenly wanted to imitate the French during this period. Two young pilots, aged 19 and 31, landed on a field near Montelimar on April 15. It was disappointing. They had just broken the Swiss distance record in a two-seater glider. Their achievement, which covered approximately 350km, is worthy of being celebrated, despite all the chauvinism.
We will admit that a field can be less idyllic than the Alpine peaks. The Girose glacier in the Meije mountain will be the end of this story.
The same chief pilot Giraud, as in the beginning of the story, took off on April 16 from Grenoble aerodrome. Five paratroopers were also aboard. It is now a matter of trying something new, parachuting on a glacier. This is a way to evaluate the utility of parachuting in mountain rescue.
Mission accomplished for paratroopers, too! April was the month that brought all success. At 3400m, Bassaler and Giachetti, Pupin and Margotin, as well as Cros, were dropped at high altitude.
Pupin and Bassaler, at the Dauphine Libere, will inform them that it is very painful to jump at this high altitude. “In high mountains, the speed is greater and landings are more difficult.” The more amazing feat is also, by implication…
The five men arrived safely and will depart on skis. They will be dropped off shortly by plane. The Dauphine noted that all were “in excellent powder”. We are not proud of the feat anymore, but we are jealous.
The contents of the file
The princess is skiing
Germaine Coty is stronger than Kate Middleton!
Sunday’s story: Flights over the Alps
It is as important to be able to build an igloo in Vanoise and on the ice floe.
Sunday history: De Gaulle and isotopes, shutters closed, memories
