Good to go out with a bang!

Some more videos and photos from our spicy Flugtag experience.

 It's really flying!

Nice 5 string Amigo!

 We met this crazy dude at the hostel and he soared to the event standing on the back of Martin's bakkie while his technology (GPS) charged. At the event, he was everywhere at once and got all the VIP passes...

The video of our flight. sorry a bit shacky and zoomed, but it catches the action.

A highlights video of the event (we didn't get much fame in this one).

Adios Amigos... until the next time.

In the Papers...on the News...IN THE SKY !!

(Page from the Cape Argus)

Flight Distance: 9.14 meters across, and 6.0 meters down!

Proof that HEAT RISES!

Injuries: 2 scraped shins

2 blistered fingers

 1 cut foot

Adrenaline Levels: Extremely High

Chilli Chilli Bang Bang featuring on etv news:

(If video doesnt work...here is link...CLICK HERE)

We had a hectic couple of days putting the Chilli together, which included driving through the night from Jhb to McGregor, and then two full days in McGregor building our craft. 

Mom and Dad Johnson hard at work with the wire-cutters and chicken wire:

For the first time, our craft actually starts looking like a Chilli! However, it does not look like its going to fly!!

Zan and Brother Tim working their magic with the chilli-flavoured material...

Space is becoming a bit tighter, and here is Cliff making the screws a bit tighter...

Just getting the Mexican vibes going!

(A special thanks to Mom and Dad Johnson, for all their help with 2 full days of building, 2 full days in CT in the hot sun, the use of their bakkie, and all the help and support they provided, not to mention the delicious snacks from Woolies!)

Testing out the secret wings...now this thing looks like it might fly!

Tim putting on some of the finishing touches, before departure to CT!

Looking a bit shell-shocked after a hectic 2 hour drive to CT, through the wind and rain, and through which our Chilli only just managed to survive!

Having our official safety checks on the Saturday...only some minor adjustments had to be made, with some extra duct tape in places. 

A safety marshal checking out our secret wings...and deciding how safe they would be.

Zan the Cactus getting interviewed by Elana Africa, Sias du Plesssis, and DJ Switch, while we were being judged for our "creativity"

The hangars where all the craft were being stored on Saturday night were hit by some STRONG winds during the night. Luckily Chilli Chilli Bang Bang was tied down strongly, and survived the night with only a few bruises. Some of the other crafts were badly damaged, and some almost had to be re-built....

Getting prepped just before take-off, and practising our skit for the last time. 

All ready for action, just taking our last few sips of redbull!

This was a seriously well organised event. We were given free branded caps, t-shirts, towels and bags, given passes to a VIP area, and then a VIP viewing area/bar for after our flight, free redbulls and water for the whole weekend, plus lunch packs for both days. Really awesome to be involved in such a well-run event. Thanks RedBull!!

Zan the Cactus had to deal with some hot conditions inside her outfit.

On the way up to the launch platform - just enough time for some last few professional photographs...

(Check them out at www.redbull.co.za, under the 360 fancam!)

But here they are anyway...

With our Mexican music playing, each team was allowed to do a 30 second skit, just before take-off. We were also interviewed again, live to the crowd, of (apparently) over 200 000 people!

The revealing of the secret wings, just a couple of moment before take-off!

Pushing with all our might down the ramp, with Cliff screaming blue-murder as we raced towards to the edge...Zan is bringing up the rear with our bright yellow peri-peri-chutes!

And off the edge we go, sailing out over the V&A waterfront...

The view from below as we went over the edge...notice how level our Giant Chilli is, and how majestically it takes to flight!

The carnage after the fall (and no, our Chilli was not split in half...in fact, it was in such good condition, we probably could have flown it again!)

The Chilli off to the bone-yard...

The judges scoring our skit and our flight (for entertainment value):

(Thanks so much to some of our loyal fans who came to visit us at the actual waterfront... we really appreciated all the visits! Mom and Dad Johnson, Lynn and Colin Lill, David and Grant O'Beirne, Dawn Smith, Cliff's Family - Elise Richard and Denise, and Zan's Mom's boss - Judy)

And thanks to everyone who has been reading our blog!

(I'll post any more videos or pictures if or when they become available)

Obey the Cactus

If you aren't scared yet...let this be a warning to you all...

 Another wild day of drinking RedBull and Tequila (to get the Mexican vibe going), saw our Matador slowly starting to lose the plot...see him here in the corner of the backyard with his bottle of Tequila...its makes you happy... or crazy...

If you (or we) are under any impression that this is just a fun afternoon at the Waterfront, let the following video put that impression to rest. We are probably going to get hurt. Possibly quite badly. Check out some of these flights gone wrong. 

And then ask yourself the question....would you like to fly a Giant Chilli?

And if you're in the mood for some more crashes...you can check out this link...CLICK HERE

No Mexican would be complete without his own guitar, and so here is a our unique 5-string version...

Of course we first let the dogs do a taste test before our home-brewed tequila was used for human consumption. The dogs seem to be ok, although Jasper over here was later seen digging a hole underneath his kennel. What that means...I don't know...

We finally reached a point of posting the frame of our Giant Chilli, as well as some of the costumes, down to McGregor, for the next stages of construction in early December. We sent off 2 boxes...an 11kg box, and a 26kg box. Now all our trust is with the post office...although the lady at the counter said she has never posted a Giant Flying Chilli before, so she can't guarantee anything.

Anyone for a Capsicum annuum ?

Well peeps, we are getting closer to the big day...and the pieces are slowly coming together. We are getting our Mexican vibe on, we have moved up from Peri-Peri Medium sauce, to Peri-Peri HOT. (Next week we are aiming for Extra-Hot). Even our morning alarm tunes have been changed to the Mexican vibe. 

Yes ladies, here is a near-complete version of our sexy Matador. Please pay special attention to the ladies belt from the Little Eden Shop, and the stretched running socks pulled over his ankles. And no, in case you are wondering, that is not a black blouse that he is wearing. 

The following is an "artist's impression" of how the final Chilli Chilli Bang Bang might look.Of course, we have  a rubbish artist - the final Chilli is going to look way more awesome than this terrible impression! But at least the Matador seems to be enjoying himself....

Of course, Mrs Cactus has this expression stuck on her face permanently. "Mrs?" I hear you asking? With a moustache? Sadly...yes, Mrs Cactus has a very healthy moustache growing, and yes, it will remain well after Movember. 

Chilli Chilli! The trick when eating a chilli, is to open wide, and get it ALL in there. So open wide, show the whites of your eyes, get your tongue out of the way...and get it down! And then wait for the tears...

Speed Test...and Sinking Test

We thought you might like to see a short clip on the progress of our flying Chilli. The following clip should give you some sort of indication of the high performance levels of our flying vehicle. You will see by the speeds that we generate, that we are expecting some serious distance when the craft takes off. 

We were also concerned (as I'm sure you all are) that our Mexican Bull, might...well...might sink. We hope this clip puts your mind at rest.

And you should also remember...this video shows a 1-man-powered engine...for the final Flying Chilli, we will in fact, be installing a 2-man-powered engine! I know...INCREDIBLE POWER!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

So we thought that today we'd give you some sort of background on the "Inspiration" behind Chilli Chilli Bang Bang. Obviously, one of the main inspirations is Mexico and that wonderful fruit/veg - the CHILLI!

However, the other Inspiration behind our giant flying chilli is, of course, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!!

Based on the book by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, written for his son, the much loved 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang staring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes was part of everyone’s childhood. A sensational score by the renowned Sherman Brothers included such unforgettable songs as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, and, of course, its Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The fantastic adventures of this out-of-the-ordinary car that flies through the air and sails the seas, are reaching a new generation through an enthralling and enchanting stage musical which burst onto the world famous London Palladium stage in 2002. 
(-John Peter, Sunday Times)

To leave you for today...here is a trip down memory lane...check out Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!!