Swiss Air Force Base, Meiringen - Unterbach
Axalp week
October 2007
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It is Axalp week once again and there is no better place than Meiringen to spend some time in between climbs up to the Ebenfluh firing range. Each year I come away after a few days here thinking that there are still some new places and different angles to try. I always aim to improve my expanding collection of images of Swiss Air Force F-5s and F/A-18s. So armed mostly with a fixed 300mm lens I put my ideas into execution once again.
Last year Fliegerstaffel (FlSt) 11 with its McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet's were transferred permanently to Meiringen, however during Axalp week this year they were deployed to Payerne, leaving the Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs of FlSt 8 the run of the base. Sorties throughout the week followed the Axalp display program. First eight F-5Es emerged from the caverns and took to the air in pairs in rapid succession. They were followed by a further pair five minutes later. Finally two |
| F-5Es (J-3080 and J-3089) lift off with air to air target banner equipment |
| Left to right: The morning departure at 08:07 and recovery 30 minutes later of F-5Es (J-3080 and J-3089). |
| Left to right: After returning from the afternoon sortie, these two special F-5Es taxied into the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) just off the main ramp. |
| Left to right: Ten F-5Es (J-3079 and J-3068) taxi down the parallel taxiway to the western end for the first launch of the day at 8:30. |
| F-5E (J-3094) departing in the afternoon sun |
Left to right: Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter recently painted in the Patrouille Suisse scheme brought their show commentator in from Emmen on the show days. It carries the name 'Felix' on the nose.
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At the eastern end north side for departures and landings
Left to right: You need a good nose shot sometimes to add to the variety of shots! F-5Es (J-3079, J-3093 and J-3097).
The nose gear has been extended lifting the nose by 3 degrees for the take-off decreasing the rotation point by 50%. |
| Left to right: Afternoon arrivals from my elevated position, F-5Es (J-3074, J-3097 and J-3093) |
| Left to right: F-5Es (J-3094, J-3097, J-3073 and J-3097). |
| Left to right: Some tyre smoke on touchdown always looks good, F-5Es (J-3070, J-3067, J-3097 and J-3072). |
| F-5E Tiger IIs (J-3094 and J-3079) throughout the week were taking off in pairs. |
The afternoon launch.
Left to right: F-5Es (J-3072, J-3094, J-3068 and pair J-3068 and J-3093) |
| Left to right: F-5Es (J-3074, J-3097 x2 and J-3068) return in the early morning at the western end. |
| Left to right: Beside the runway north side F-5Es (J-3044, J-3072 and J-3067) and visiting PC-6 V-620 in the normal scheme. |
| Eurocopter AS.332M-1 Super Puma's (T-325 and T-312) set off for Axalp to collect the VIP's at then end of the show. |
| Left to right: Five AS.332M-1. |
| Left to right: The caverns were used to house the based F-5Es. |
