February 2011 - CAF Swiss Wing

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Volume 16, No. 60
CAF Swiss Wing Newsletter
February 2011
Survival – Underground in Lucerne
On Thursday September 16th 2010
several of our members met for a visit
at the entrance of Sonnenberg, the largest underground shelter built during
the «Cold War». We were met by Pia
Schnyder who would be our guide for
the afternoon and our descent into the
underworld.
At the entrance to the shelter 20’000
marks on the tunnel wall indicate the
number of people which the shelter
was planned for in the seven story
cavern situated above the autobahn
tunnels. The combined works cost
amounted to 32 million dollars. Three
diesel generators of 1725 hp each and
a gas filtration system provide power
and air conditioning of 8 cubic meters
per hour and person. Fresh water supply is assured thru an intricate system
in the rocks.
Electro-magnetic protection to save
guard electronic equipment from atomic explosion was provided. We were
also shown the planned 328 bed hospital with two operating theaters, the
Table of Contens
Lucerne
Aus dem Vorstand
Ferdi und Max
Jahresend in Zofingen
Midland 2010
Airshow-Reisen
Ende des AC-4
News / Veranstaltungen
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radio studio and the prison. During
an exercise in 1987 it was determined, that due to logistic limitations no
more than 17’000 people could be accommodated. Even with this number
one can imagine the magnitude of the
task at hand.
With the fall of the Berlin wall and
the end of the cold war threat a large
part of the shelter was decommissioned and the hospital equipment was
donated to an African country.
As we left the facility thru the autobahn access we returned to the outer
world and the roaring traffic and all
were grateful that none of us would
ever have to seek protection in such a
shelter.
Col Theo Arter
Know to use this
English version
1st: Go to the German part of the
homepage and print out the German Version of the Contact
2nd: Follow the pages and read the
German/English title
3rd: Not all Pictures legends
and articles are translated in full
length
g
4th: Have fun and enjoy the Contact
Col Werner Meier
Col Jost Schneeberger
CAF Swiss Wing
Our guide Ms Pia Schnnyder
The operations room, the dormitory,
the kitchen.
The CAF group in front of the tunnel
entrance.
February 2011
Page 2
CAF Swiss Wing
report
A practice training flight took place
over Lake Hallwil and was approved
by Henry. Weather forecast was positive but when I looked out the window at 6.00 am Saturday a morning
fog over the Reuss valley had closed in
and it looked less promising. On the
Birrfeld airfield webcam one could not
even see the tarmac!
Nevertheless my passenger was ready
at 07:30 and we preflight the Stinson
as latest arrival at Widnau was 10 am
and our estimated flight time would
be 50 minutes. Meanwhile I proceeded with briefing my passenger for the
demo as he would be the patient to be
picked up in our demo. Engine start
planned for 09:00 but the fog persists.
A phone call to Widnau reveals the
whole show is delayed by an hour.
We are not the only ones blocked
by the weather. At 09:45 the sky
starts to clear and we start the engine. Some 15 to 20 planes are ready
and as we taxi around the Hangar
and call up we hear «PC-7 team sector
Page 3
Aus dem Vorstand
Stinson Pilots
Ferdi and Max
in clinch with the
weather gods
During 1910 Switzerland commemorated its 100 year anniversary of aviation. With great expectations I had
reserved the L-5 for the weekend of
August 19th to 22nd with plans to
join the «Balloon Days» at Widnau wauu - for the first time, landing on
an open field on the westside of the
Rhein river. The program included
demo flight of the Stinson and of
course other events such as the PC-7
team and all sorts of aviation exhibits.
February 2011
Intentionally left blank
An old post card showing Chavez crossing
the Alps
west 10 aircraft landing in sequence!»
Until they are on the ground and directed to the south grass parking the
runway is blocked for 20 minutes.
Another call to Widnau and we are
told to abort the mission. A disappointed crew which does not give up! An
alternative for the day is planned. My
wife happens to be on supporting mission for a cycling tour in Jura Mountains. I call her to find out her exact
whereabouts and I tell her we shall be
there shortly for a fly past and a little
smoke. Once more we start the engine
and proceed at 3500 feet over the Jura
chain past Langenbruck, Welschenrohr and soon we sight the trailer
camp at Sonceboz. After the second
360 enough people had gathered and
were waving. As we had smoke oil on
board we gave them a treat on our last
low pass.
We then proceeded via Biel to the Bernese Oberland and back to our base
Birrfeld where we just managed to
CAF Swiss Wing
land before the field was closed for a
display by the PC-7 team. In the end
we still had our satisfaction and fun
watching their demonstration.
To the organizers a great vote of thanks
for all the work. Max and I never set
foot outside the door this weekend.
Col Ferdi Nietlisbach
But then there would be another celebration at Raron on the occasion of
the centenary of the first crossing of
the Alps by Hugo Chavez. As usual
Max and I had prepared for this event
in detail. We would land at a temporary field near Brig where Chavez took
off 100 years ago. Unfortunately he
did not survive a crash when his craft
was caught in a heavy down draft on
landing.
The scheduled displays this afternoon
included helicopters of Air Zermatt,
a historic flight of the AC-4 Comte
(1928) Brig-Domodossola-Brig, Flypast of a Morane, Aerobatics and balloon flights, Christian Moullec in his
ultra-light and the geese would form
up, and last but not least the Bücker
squadron and the Patrouille Suisse
would perform.
But allas! Never had the Rhone valley
been covered with such a heavy fog as
on this weekend! The event prepared
with such care had to be called off.
February 2011
Page 4
CAF Swiss Wing
report
Year end meeting
November 27th at
Zofingen
The year-end meeting of the CAF
Swiss Wing took place in Zofingen,
a quaint old town built in the ninth
and tenth century when the dukes of
Zähringen were in charge.
The town council takes great pride in preserving this historical site
and strict control of any alteration
or maintenance of buildings is exercised. A competent guide showed us
around and refreshed our knowledge
of Switzerland’s history. We braved
the cold and the snow and were happy
to meet for dinner at the best hotel in
town. A third of our 135 member were
present to enjoy this evening together.
Col Theo Arter
February 2011
Page 5
CAF Swiss Wing
report
Midland, TX, 2010
This year the Swiss Wing was represented by CAF Cols Anna Regula Wolff and Peter Winkler, as well
as Roger Wimmer. The weather was
perfect and we were again impressed
by the Friday «Special Show for Special People» with so many volunteers
to make this possible.
The classic «Tora Tora» show, the different warbirds and of course the B-29
«FIFI» as well as the B-17 «Texas Raider» gave the show this year a special
touch. In contrast to the noisy C-17
Globemaster, the F-16 and F-15 the
almost silent aerobatic display by Bob
Carlton in his Super Salto Sail plane
with jet assist and accompanied by
music was a real treat.
Saturday evening at 19:30 we enjoyed
the night show with a Twin Beach 18
and the Super Salto with light effects
and flares again with music.
The stars of the show of course were
the «FIFI» and the «Texas Raider».
The B-29 had been grounded for
four years awaiting new engines. The
B-17 of the «Gulf Coast Wing» had
been down for more than 8 years for
a complete restoration. She is now in
top condition and I was privileged to
a flight in the bomber seat during the
landing.
Together with our friends from the
DFW Wing we spent the night show
and the Colonel party Sunday night.
As usual Anna Regula again was in
the team for the spectacular firewalls
and bombing scenes of the B-29.
Col Peter Winkler
February 2011
Page 6
CAF Swiss Wing
February 2011
Page 7
Airshows & Military Events 2011
Aussergewöhnliche Programme für Kenner von Spezialisten zusammengestellt.
Details unter: www.cosmos-tours.ch
Flying Legends Air Show Duxford / GB, 9. - 11. Juli 2011
Begleiten Sie uns zum grössten Event mit Warbirds (1. & 2. Weltkrieg) von Europa! Lassen Sie sich
von Europas grösster Sammlung von flugfähigen Raritäten begeistern und erleben Sie packende
europäische und amerikanische Fluggeschichte sowie Vorführungen der Spitzenklasse! Inkl.
Besuch RAF Museum in Hendon!
RIAT-Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford / GB, 16. - 18. Juli 2011
Ein Muss für jeden Freund der Militärfliegerei! In Fairford findet jährlich die weltgrösste militärische
Flugschau statt! Freuen Sie sich auf ein phantastisches Programm mit über 200 Militärflugzeugen,
Hubschraubern und einigen der besten Staffeln von Europa. Schwerpunkt 2011: 40. Jubiläum RIAT
& 50 Jahre NATO Tiger Association. Inkl. Besuch RAF Museum in Hendon!
Oshkosh EAA Airventure Airshow / USA, 24. Juli - 1. August 2011
Willkommen zur grössten und schönsten Luftfahrtveranstaltung der Welt (über 900'000
Besucher/1'000 Flugzeuge)! Es erwartet Sie ein faszinierendes Airshow-Programm mit Antics
Doppeldecker, zahlreichen Warbirds (Fighter und Bomber) aus dem 2. Weltkrieg, moderne Jets (F-22
Raptor, Experimentals, Ultralights, Commercials etc.).
MAKS - Luft- & Weltraumfahrt Moskau / RU, 16. - 21. August 2011
Erleben Sie unter der kompetenten Führung des Fliegerei und Russland-Experten Walter Fürst
(ehem. Militär Attaché und Mirage Pilot) eine ganz exklusive und einmalige Reise, die von Highlights
nur so strotzt! Während 2 Tagen sind Sie zu Gast an der grössten Airshow der Welt (MAKS –
International Aviation & Space Salon), besuchen den berühmten Kreml und erleben unvergessliche
Highlights (Monino, Einsatzzentrale ZUP, Sternenstädtchen!).
CAF “Airsho11” Midland, Texas / USA, 6. - 11. Oktober 2011 (Patronat CAF Swiss Wing)
Die „Airsho“ der Commemorative Air Force CAF ist der exklusive Höhepunkt unter den jährlich stattfindenden US-Air-Shows! Es erwarten Sie spektakuläre Flugdarbietungen zu historisch relevanten
Gegebenheiten aus dem 2. Weltkrieg (z.B. Angriff auf Pearl Harbour, Battle of Britain etc.) und auch
atemberaubende Einlagen der US Air Force.
Oceana Airshow / USA, 22. September - 4. Oktober 2011
Einmaliges Programm mit Norfolk, Washington sowie New York. Erleben Sie anlässlich von „100 Jahre
Navy“ eine packende Airshow mit den Blue Angels. Weitere Highlights: Air & Space Museum, Intrepid
Flugzeugträger-Museum und vieles mehr.
Nellis Las Vegas Airshow, Las Vegas / USA, 10.- 18. November 2011
VIP-Reise zur Homecoming Airshow der USAF Thunderbirds. Es erwartet Sie ein atemberaubendes
Möchten Sie eine
Airshow besuchen,
die nichtHighlights
auf unserem
Programm
aufgeführt
ist?
Airshow-Programm
mit zahlreichen
im Land
der einarmigen
Banditen:
LasDann
Vegas.
kontaktieren Sie uns. Wir stellen Ihnen gerne ein individuelles Programm zusammen.
Infos und Reservation bei:
Acapa Geschäftsstelle Aarberg:
Cosmos Tours, Mühlaudamm 6, 3270 Aarberg, Schweiz
Tel. +41 (0)32 392 75 80/82, Fax +41 (0)32 392 75 81
info@cosmos-tours.ch / www.cosmos-tours.ch
CAF Swiss Wing
news
Retirement of the Comte AC-4 HBIKO
After installation of the engine and the
technical checks the engine testing began. The adjustments were time consuming and rather tricky. The fly past
at the Lucerne traffic museum would
be the last official flight.
The rather high oil consumption
could be corrected but at higher rpm
the oil temperature could not be controlled. As we had to vacate the hangar at Dübendorf anyway we decided
to dismantle the aircraft and put it in
temporary storage at the Lucerne museum until the new aviation hall will
be completed.
The engine was dismantled again and
an internal oil leak was found to be
the cause of the problem. De-registration followed in November 2010. We
2011
February 2011
Page 8
Veranstaltungen / Reisen
19. März
28. Mai
18.-19. Juni
25.-26. Juni
25. Juni
1.-3. Juli
9.-11. Juli
16.-18. Juli
30. Juli
20.-21. August
20.-21. August
2.-4. September
16.-18. September
24. September
8.-9. Oktober
12. Oktober
26. November
Generalversammlung CAF
Payerne Museum + Weinbaumuseum
Internationale Belpmoostage (IBT)
R.I.O. Oldtimermeeting Ecuvillens
75 Jahre Fliegerabwehr / Dübendorf
Full-Reuenthal
Flying Legends Airshow Duxford
RIAT Fairford
BBQ, CAF Swiss Wing
Air-Festival, Biel-Kappelen
Dittinger Flugtage
Oldtimertreffen Hahnweide (D)
Airshow «Air 2011» Sion
Festung Furggels / Pfäfers
CAF Airshow Midland / USA
Fliegerschiessen Axalp
Jahresendanlass
CAF SW
CAF SW
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
CAF SW
CAF SW
CAF SW
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
Flight OPS
CAF SW
CAF SW
CAF SW
would like to thank all those who helped to maintain this aircraft over the
years. With 80 years she now deserves
a place among the other Swissair planes in the Lucerne museum:
Fokker F-VII, Orion, DC-3 and Convair «Coronado».
Col Henry Saladin
Flight Operations Comte AC-4
Mitfliegen in unserem Warbird «Stinsy»
Koordinator:
Midland 2010
Henry Saladin 044 853 0533
Piloten:
Roger Burri 056 667 3843
Ruedi Lang 052 343 8153
Werner Meier 056 633 6181
Ferdi Nietlisbach 079 200 7260
Jost Schneeberger 031 911 8177
Max Schönenberger 044 858 2051
CAF Swiss Wing - Shop
CAF Swiss Wing
www.caf-swisswing.ch
Präsident: CAF Col Thomas Lutz
Brunnenwies 53, 8132 Egg
Editor:
CAF Col Werner Meier
Itenhard 47, 5620 Bremgarten
«Contact» ist das Publikationsorgan des Swiss Wing der CAF
in Midland TX, USA
Druck:
Knapp AG, 8918 Unterlunkhofen
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Werner Meier, Itenhard 47, 5620 Bremgarten
werner.meier@caf-swisswing.ch
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