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Civil registered Mirage III takes to the air [Switzerland]

Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:32 am

Yesterday, a former Swiss AF Mirage IIIBS jet took to the air under civil registration HB-RDF - a great achievement !

the following pic of the a/c on it's first post-restoration take-off has been taken by a fellow enthusiast

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The a/c served in the Swiss AF as J-2012 - it was delivered on 13th May 1983 and wfu on 31st December 2003.

the a/c is based at Payerne Air Base and is registered to the local Aviation Museum. The a/c is cleared for passenger flights and the first such commercial flight is scheduled for 16th September.

This a/c joins a fleet of Hawker Hunter single- and double-seaters, Dh-100 Vampires and Dh-112 Venoms in the Swiss airshow circuit.

Well done to all involved !
Martin

Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:56 am

That is awesome.

Civil registered Swiss Mirage

Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:14 am

Nice. But, I am puzzled. When the last Swiss Mirages were auctionned albeit engineless, all European aviation magazines reported that in the sales agreement they were provisions forbidding the aircraft to fly anymore.

Comments would be appreciated.

Regards

Willy

Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:36 am

NICE ONE :)

Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:48 am

Wait till the Air Force wants it back. :roll:

Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:48 pm

should have been a bit more specific re. the owner/operator.... the Museum at Payerne Airfield is supported by the Swiss AF and it contains various flyable former Swiss AF aircraft - the Swiss AF Museum at Dübendorf AB near Zurich only holds static exhibits.

How can I put it - it's a private venture but with close connections/bonds to the Air Force.

Since the Swiss AF retired this type, this a/c has to be operated under civil registration - pilots and ground crew are former Swiss AF personnel with a vast experience on the operation of this type.

This Mirage wasn't part of the auction - it was de-milled, but not to the extent of other aircraft - the weapons were removed, the critical parts, too(critical material means it could harm the environment when not treated properly) - interesting is the fact that the ejection seat rockets also are treated as weapon and to organize such items for this Mirage turned out to be one of the most difficult and expensive task.

Martin

Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:11 pm

Hello,

Back in april, I present you this little but very active museum, don't miss it if you come near.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... lin+dailes


Greetings from Switzerland

Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:47 pm

same place, same date... but from the other side :wink:

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greetings from Switzerland

more here : http://airpic.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t ... sc&start=0

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