Swiss F-5 air-to-air
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Swiss F-5 air-to-air
On 11 May last year I was privileged to fly an F-5F of the Swiss Air Force during a 4-vs-4 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) aerial combat, with some limited photo opportunities on the way in and out. I had the pleasure of flying with Michael Reiner, a.k.a. 'Elvis'. Some of you may still know him as the award-winning F/A-18 Hornet display pilot (2006/2007?). He is now a reserve pilot, flying the F-5 in his spare time.
We were in a 'Red Air' flight with 2 F/A-18s and 2 F-5Fs flying against another 2 F-5s and 2 F/A-18s of 'Blue Air'. The plan was to have three fights: one 'warming-up' and two real fights. Our specific mission was to escort the other F-5F, which was equipped with the Vista-5 electronic jamming pod under its left wing.
I hope you like the few shots I was able to take.
Lining up for takeoff. Interesting weather inbound..
On our way to the holding area..
Close-up, still heading to the holding area..
Holding over the Alps..
Overhead Meiringen airbase..
Breaking away to enter the fight..
Luckily for me ( ), we were shot down quite early during the first two fights, which meant we could go back to the holding area and wait for the next fight. The third fight was cancelled because Blue Air had already achieved its goals.
Nice vertical break after the third fight was cancelled with some fuel left
Shortly after the fights weather deteriorated dramatically with rain and thunder & lightning coming in so no shots from that part of the flight. Still quite a nice experience, flying between the mountains over a lake and seeing a thunderstorm rolling towards you. We also did some fun stuff on the way back, such as a slow barrel roll over the mountains, full acceleration/breaking and some really close formation flying through the cloudes (like 3-5 feet below the other F-5F).
Wanna read/see more of the F-5s? Check out next month's AirForces monthly, which features my article about the Swiss F-5 Tigers and their future. It will be in stores from tomorrow..
We were in a 'Red Air' flight with 2 F/A-18s and 2 F-5Fs flying against another 2 F-5s and 2 F/A-18s of 'Blue Air'. The plan was to have three fights: one 'warming-up' and two real fights. Our specific mission was to escort the other F-5F, which was equipped with the Vista-5 electronic jamming pod under its left wing.
I hope you like the few shots I was able to take.
Lining up for takeoff. Interesting weather inbound..
On our way to the holding area..
Close-up, still heading to the holding area..
Holding over the Alps..
Overhead Meiringen airbase..
Breaking away to enter the fight..
Luckily for me ( ), we were shot down quite early during the first two fights, which meant we could go back to the holding area and wait for the next fight. The third fight was cancelled because Blue Air had already achieved its goals.
Nice vertical break after the third fight was cancelled with some fuel left
Shortly after the fights weather deteriorated dramatically with rain and thunder & lightning coming in so no shots from that part of the flight. Still quite a nice experience, flying between the mountains over a lake and seeing a thunderstorm rolling towards you. We also did some fun stuff on the way back, such as a slow barrel roll over the mountains, full acceleration/breaking and some really close formation flying through the cloudes (like 3-5 feet below the other F-5F).
Wanna read/see more of the F-5s? Check out next month's AirForces monthly, which features my article about the Swiss F-5 Tigers and their future. It will be in stores from tomorrow..
Check Out My New FLIGHT Coffee Table Book
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Could you not be satisfied shooting it from on top of the HAS?
Lovely work Dirk Jan, the scenery in Switzerland is simply unbeatable as a backdrop!
Lovely work Dirk Jan, the scenery in Switzerland is simply unbeatable as a backdrop!
Do you want the Aladeen news or the Aladeen news?
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Great pictures, very lucky, thanks for posting
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Hi DJdeRidder, wonderful images from a wonderful aircraft!!!
This set of images reminds me the same subject, but in different marks and place... the swiss landscape in some parts are very similar to the Chilean mountains and the aircraft F-5F too.
Thanks for share.
Greetings from Chile!!!
Shocman
This set of images reminds me the same subject, but in different marks and place... the swiss landscape in some parts are very similar to the Chilean mountains and the aircraft F-5F too.
Thanks for share.
Greetings from Chile!!!
Shocman
Aviation from the most southern country in the world
http://shocman.wordpress.com
http://shocman.wordpress.com
- Benn George
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
What can you say air to air oith F5s SPOT ON!!!!!
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Lovely set of shots! Still a great looking design today!
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Top marks shooting there. I wouldn't imagine anyone on this forum is in the least bit jealous!
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Stunning selection. What a great shoot!
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Ace set love the 2nd 5th shots
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Thanks for the kind words!
I did actually do that in the morning before my flight (pics posted here), but you can't do that all day. It gets a little boring after seeing all those aircraft landing, you know! So I looked for another way to spend the afternoon..
TonyO wrote:Could you not be satisfied shooting it from on top of the HAS?
I did actually do that in the morning before my flight (pics posted here), but you can't do that all day. It gets a little boring after seeing all those aircraft landing, you know! So I looked for another way to spend the afternoon..
Check Out My New FLIGHT Coffee Table Book
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Great pictures Dirk and what a fabulous opportunity. Thanks for sharing these with us.
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
Some wonderful images there and a wonderfull oppourtunity to take them in the first place!
Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air
2nd and last and all of the others!
I'm also not a bit jealous.
I'm also not a bit jealous.