Originally Posted by
FL235
The late (lamented). Neil Williams used to do an air show vertical eight in “Ballerina” Cosmic Wind when it belonged to the Tiger Club, on a c85 power. His description of the manouver was a classic. Remember, no radio so start on exact time. Run in power dive to 200+ , pull up at about 50ft, pulling 8G or so for a half loop, push thru from level into outside loop, about - 6G. Engine stops, no inverted fuel system. Level again, pull into half. Loop, restarting engine and positioning to finish in starting position and altitude.
Some of his displays were hair-raising. Lomcevac in a Stamp at about 400ft ?
The guy was unreal. I saw him do an aerobatic display in about 1970, in a Spitfire modified with a second seat, came in just over the treetops at Blackbushe at over 400kt, pulled straight up and just kept going until it disappeared. Very fast, very loud. Better than any of the jets that took part in the display. All those high jinks, and he lost his life in 1977 during a routine ferry flight of a Spanish-built Heinkell He111.