Mephisto

Harald Neckar, multiple Bavarian and German champion in model aerobatics in the 1970s, qualified for the first time in 1973 to participate in the Model Aerobatics World Championship in Gorizia, Italy.

Right off the bat, he took fourth place overall with his Mephisto model aircraft design. In doing so, he left almost the entire world elite behind him. Harald used this model in all competitions until 1976.

holzapfel mephisto 04 — Summer 1972: Harald Neckartet built the first prototype with a wooden fuselages.

In 1972, his father Otto Neckar designed a new aerobatic model, the Mephisto, for his son Harald. Otto built the first two prototypes out of wood. Once the design had been approved, a wooden model was produced and built in small series by Munich-based specialist Willi Reptschik.

holzapfel mephisto 03 — Harald Neckar’s two prototypes of the “wooden fuselage Mephistos” in the summer of 1972

His club mates at the time then received their first Mephisto fuselages for competition use. The wings and tail units consisted of balsa-planked polystyrene cores.

holzapfel mephisto 05 — The designer and builder of the first two prototypes, Otto Neckar (Harald’s father), holds one of the two prototypes in his hand.

Harald competed in many national and international competitions with his Mephisto until 1976. At that time, he was one of the world’s best aerobatic pilots with the Mephisto.

holzapfel mephisto 11 — Harald Neckar with his Mephisto in Gorizia

The Mephisto model shown below is his original model from the World Championships at that time.

mephisto online 05s — Our Mephisto, displayed during Retrodays in Pfäffikon, Switzerland

This original model from 1973 is in our possession. This model has been stored in the old Graupner warehouse since around 1975.

holzapfel mephisto 10 — Harald Neckars’ 3 Mephisto during the 1973 World Championships in Gorizia

At that time, Harald Neckar had teamed up with our old friend Erich Gilik. Erich was a gifted model aircraft builder and painter.

holzapfel mephisto 01 — Peter Holzapfel with his Mephisto in 1972

Unfortunately, Erich passed away far too early many years ago. In 1976, Erich worked with the Neckar family to design the successor model, the Manitu.

holzapfel mephisto 06 — 1974, one of Peter Holzapfel’s Mephistos.

I recently received most of these historical photos from Munich architect and F3A pilot Peter Holzapfel. He started aerobatic flying in the early 1970s.

holzapfel mephisto 07 — Harald Neckar assists Peter Holzapfel with the launch of the Mephistos

In his younger years, he was a member of Harald Neckar’s club and was one of the young pilots at Helmut Kermess’s model flying club. Several outstanding top pilots emerged from this club.

holzapfel mephisto 08 — Peter Holzapfel 1974

Peter Holzapfel has been active in the F3A competition scene for years. He is now well over 70 years old.

Details:
Wingspan: 163 cm
Fuselage length: 147 cm
Flying weight: approx. 4 kg
Power: HB 10 cc
Retractable landing gear: Graupner
Radio: Graupner Varioprop