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De Havilland Vampire J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunters J-4040 & J-4201 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunters T.68 J-4201(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Like many other swiss mountain airbases, St. Stephan was built during the war. The building started in 1941 and was completed in 1942 still with a grass runway. In 1943, a 900m long concrete runway was constructed. With the introduction of jet aircraft into the Air Force, St. Stephan came into full usage. In 1954 the runway was extended to 1'500m and in 1957 to 2'000m. Later hardened aircraft shelters were constructed, that also allowed the Hawker Hunter to be based there.
With the rundown of the Hunter fleet, only a light aircraft section of the air force remained, to be withdrawn at the end of the nineties. However, St. Stephan is also the home of the famous white "Papyrus" Hunter that is jointly owned by the four municipalities of the valley.
Once a year in August, the airfield sees a lot of activity when the “Flugplatzfest” is organized. This is the time when many other historic aircraft find their way to St. Stephan to fly for the public and in some instances even undertake passenger flights, in the case of the two seaters.
It has to be pointed out that this is not an airshow. However, having said that it is in my opinion much better than many “real” airshows. It is very informal without an exact program or any entrance fee. You can get quite close to the taxiways to take pictures. As the whole length of the runway is accessible to the public, the audience distributes itself nicely without any big crowds.
"Papyrus" Hunter F.58 J-4040 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus PC-7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus PC-7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus PC-7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus PC-7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
This year they were lucky to get a display by the Patrouille Suisse during the afternoon. The narrow valley made it necessary for them to alter the display as some of the figures were impossible to display. The highlight was of course the formation with the resident Hunter.
To give an impression of the informality of the day, the sequence of the pictures follows the day’s proceedings. This is an event well worth visiting. If you go, remember that the purpose of the event is to generate some income towards the maintenance of the Papyrus Hunter, to keep it flying. Therefore, visit one of their restaurants or stalls on site and spend some money.
Picture at the Hangar Door (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1208 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus P-3 A-813 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pilatus P-3 A-813 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hunter and Vampire (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hunter and Vampire (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Team (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1228 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4201 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hunter U-4205 & J-4040 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hunter U-4205 & J-4040 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1208 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire U-1208 & J-1197 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Vampire T.11 U-1208 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hawker Hunter T.68 U-4205 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)