The Russkies are here - Phillips Cup video!

[Adam the Akrodude]

The Phillips Cup on televised on TV here in Australia in 1986 was I think the pinnacle of competition aerobatics in this country. Several top world class aerobatic champions were invited to this country and I remember gluing myself to the TV whilst it was on.
Here's a video of the amazing Victor Smolin fly his sequence in his Yak-50. This flying so inspired a guy by the name of Hans Litjens that he then set about to one day become a Yak-50 owner, which he did. Everyone at the time Hans told us many years later though he was crazy having such a dream. Keep in mind this was before the fall of the USSR and the wall still being firmly in place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDTB56yjJJU