Swiss F-5 air-to-air

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DJdeRidder
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Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by DJdeRidder »

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.. :down:
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On our way to the holding area..
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Close-up, still heading to the holding area..
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Holding over the Alps..
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Overhead Meiringen airbase..
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Breaking away to enter the fight..
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Luckily for me ( :|O: ), 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
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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 this month's AirForces monthly, which features my article about the Swiss F-5 Tigers and their future. It will be in stores from tomorrow..
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Wim
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Wim »

WOW great shots Dirk, and I'm curious about the article. That must be an awesome experience to fly in an F-5F...
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by CR-74050 »

WoW, great shots. I'll check the store next weekend.

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tomba2247
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by tomba2247 »

Halleluja :worship: :worship: the best air to air shots I have seen .....congrats
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by bvdboomen »

One of the best air-2-air I've seen since a long time!
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Kleintje Pils »

Although I've seen them a while ago DJ I'm glad to see them showing up here. It's a great interruption on all those head on a-a shot's we've seen lately. Good variety you've got there!
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by EHAM »

Totally agree with Remco. Photos like 2 and 4 are IMHO better than those head-on a/a photos. Great work DJ!
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by warthog64 »

Wim wrote:WOW great shots Dirk, and I'm curious about the article. That must be an awesome experience to fly in an F-5F...

+1

nice stuff!

:M-): remco!
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Mickey312 »

Great stuff Dirk Jan :respect: !

Mickey
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by DJdeRidder »

Thanks all for the kind reactions!
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Iwan Bogels »

Lovely set of shots, DJ. Well done !!

Thumbs up,
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Melchior Timmers »

Looks like a realy great experience, DJ.
Lovely set.

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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Warthog 71 »

I really, really like that last shot DJ! Can't wait to see the February AFM issue! (for more the one reason :wink: )




Grtz,

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DJdeRidder
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by DJdeRidder »

Warthog 71 wrote:Can't wait to see the February AFM issue! (for more the one reason :wink: )
I know what you mean! I look forward to the extensive news section as well! :mrgreen:
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Re: Swiss F-5 air-to-air

Post by Maurice »

Wow DJ, those are extremely nice shots!! Welldone!
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