Fliegerstaffel 15

Last updated
Fliegerstaffel 15
15ème Escadrille
Squadriglia d'aviazione 17
Papyrus1.jpg
Papyrus Hawker Hunter of Fl St 15
Active1925–1994
CountrySwitzerland
Branch Swiss Air Force
RoleFighter squadron
Garrison/HQairfield St. Stephan
The Fliegerstaffel 15 Badge on the Hunter J-4080. Swiss Air Force 15 Squadron Emblem 4080.JPG
The Fliegerstaffel 15 Badge on the Hunter J-4080.

The late Fliegerstaffel 15 (No 5 Squadron) of the Swiss Air Force was active until 1994 and equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft. The home base of their last service was the airfield at St. Stephan. The Fliegerstaffel 15 carried as their coat of arms a paper aircraft on a blue ground with a red "15". The old badge of the FlSt15 was a black bird of prey with white background and two red circles.

Contents

History

In 1925 the "Fliegerkompanie 15" was founded, which was equipped with Dewoitine D-27 until 1939. After that the unit used the Messerschmitt Bf 109D from 1939 to 1941 at its homebasePayerne Air Base . Using the same type of aircraft as well as its version E, the Fliegerstaffel 15 continued operating from 1941 to 1947 from Biel-Bözingen. In 1945, during a reorganization, only the Flying Staff of the Fliegerkompanie 15 was transferred to the newly created Fliegerstaffel 15, and from 1952 onwards, the crew flew the Morane D-3801 from St. Stephan military airfield. Only three years later, the change to the jet aircraft De Havilland D.H. 100 vampires and the very same year to De Havilland D.H. 112 Venom was done. From 1980 to 1994 the Fliegerstaffel 15 continued to use the Hawker Hunter from St. Stephan. In 1994, the Hawker Hunter was withdrawn from service. The military airfield St. Stephan was handed over to civilian users, and the Fliegerstaffel 15 was disbanded.

In the autumn of 1994 the Hawker Hunter J-4040 received a special painting for the farewell. The all white aircraft wore the names of the pilots as well as texts Fliegerstaffel 15 in newspaper style, in reference to the symbol of the paper aircraft. The underwing tanks also received this coating. The registration was changed from J-4040 to J-4015 (because of the Fliegerstaffel “15”), although the Luftwaffe operated another Hunter with the registration J-4015 at the same time. The Hunter with the original registration J-4015 was decorated in September 1994 as Graffity Hunter by the Fliegerstaffel 20. The 15 Squadron aircraft was named Papyrus-Hunter. Originally, the "Papyrus Hunter" was to be placed on a pedestal at the entrance to the St. Stephan airfield, but the Hunterverein Obersimmenthal managed to keep the aircraft airworthy to this day with the civilian Aircraft registrationHB -RVS and performing displays airshows.

Airplanes

Trivia

Fliegerstaffel 15 had a blue Citroën 2CV which carried the coat of armsof the Fliegerstaffel 15 on both sides.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flieger Flab Museum</span> Aviation museum in Dübendorf, Switzerland

The Flieger Flab Museum is located in the Canton of Zurich in Dübendorf on the grounds of Dübendorf Air Base. In the museum, 40 airplanes and helicopters are displayed, with the collection divided into distinct eras: pioneers and World War I, the 1930s, World War II and the postwar period, the beginning of the jet age, the development of jet fighters, the Cold War, and arms reduction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 1</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 1 was a professional military pilots squadron, belonging to the Überwachungsgeschwader of the Swiss Air Force until its last service in 2003. At that point, it was equipped with Northrop F-5 and used the military airfield of Turtmann as a designated war base. Fliegerstaffel 1 carried a stylized Vogel Rokh as its coat of arms, a red background and a white figure 1 completed their emblem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 2</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 2 was using Hawker Hunter aircraft for the Swiss Air Force at the time of disbandment. Its pilots origined from French-speaking Switzerland and its home was the military airfield of Turtmann then. As a coat of arms, Fliegerstaffel 2 used a white bird taken from the one of Gruyère District on a red background surrounded by a motto saying "En Avant, Advienne Que Pourra". 2ème Escadrille.

Fliegerstaffel 3 of the Swiss Air Force belonged to the Überwachungsgeschwader, thus professional military pilots were grouped in the unit. Their home base on disbandment was Sion and the aircraft flown were the Mirage III RS. Fliegerstaffel 3 carried the AMIR badge as their coat of arms. This badge shows a falcon head drawn in black lines on white ground, the neck of which is filled with blue color. The beak rises above the round badge, above the head of the falcon is the red number 3. Except for the number 3, the badge is identical to the AMIR badge of Fliegerstaffel 10 and Fliegerstaffel 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 4</span> Military unit

The Fliegerstaffel 4 of the Swiss Air Force, and belonged to the Überwachungsgeschwader with professional military pilots. Their home base at the dissolution was the Payerne Air Base and the Fliegerstaffel 4 was equipped with Mirage IIIRS. The Fliegerstaffel 4 carried as the coat of arms the AMIR badge. This badge shows on a white ground a falcon head drawn with black lines, the neck of which is filled with blue color. The beak rises above the round badge, above the head of the falcon is the red number 4. Except for the number 4, the badge is identical to the AMIR badge of the Fliegerstaffel 10 and the Fliegerstaffel 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 5</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 5 was a unit of the Swiss Air Force. It belonged to the Überwachungsgeschwader with professional military pilots. It was equipped with the Hawker Hunter. Its home base was Interlaken Air Base. Fliegerstaffel 5 carried as a coat of arms a black lynx with yellow eyes, which stretched its right paw with claws. From his mouth came red flames, which went into the background. The badge was round and had a white base. Under the lynx was written in black 5éme escadrille. Later, the badge was changed into a shield-shaped coat-of-arms with a stylized lynx head, often mistaken as a dragon head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 6</span> Unit of Swiss Air Force

The Fliegerstaffel 6 of the Swiss Air Force is a militia squadron equipped with Northrop F-5E and is together with the Fliegerstaffel 18 part of the Fliegergeschwader 14. The home base of the Fliegerstaffel 6 is Payerne Air Base. As coat of arms, the Fliegerstaffel 6 carried since 1940 a marching duck, with a proudly swollen breast carrying a halberd. The "Jusqu'au bout" motto means until the bitter end. Before this badge, it was first a six-pointed star with a witch on her flying broom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 7</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 7 was a Swiss Air Force squadron equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft until 1994. Their home base at the time was the Meiringen Air Base. As a coat of arms, Fliegerstaffel 7 carried a jumping yellow Trout named "Jaqueline" on a dark blue background. The badge itself was an isosceles triangle with a black border that stood on top.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 8</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 8 «Vandalos» is a Swiss Air Force militia squadron, equipped with Northrop F-5E and forms Fliegergeschwader 13 with Fliegerstaffel 11. The home base of the unit is Meiringen Air Base. As coat of arms, the Fliegerstaffel 8 carries as a red sawfish, floating through the lower opening of a black number 8 on a white ground. The sawfish is called Vandalo .

The Fliegerstaffel 9 of the Swiss Air Force was in its end equipped with de Havilland Venom Combat Aircraft. Their home base at the dissolution was the Sion Airport. The Fliegerstaffel 9 carried as coat of arms the side view of a red witch riding on a red broom. On a rectangular dark blue background. The witch and the broom were drawn without curves. Beneath the witch stands a flight of fliers with white writing. In the upper right corner is a white square 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 10</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 10 was a Swiss Air Force unit consisting of professional military pilots, belonging to the Überwachungsgeschwader. Their home base at the dissolution was the Military Airfield at Buochs, where ist was equipped with Mirage IIIRS. Fliegerstaffel 10 carried as their coat of arms the AMIR badge. This badge shows on a white ground a falcon head drawn with black lines, the neck of which is filled with blue color. The beak rises above the round badge, above the head of the falcon is a number 10 in red. Except for the number 10, the badge is identical to the AMIR badge of the Fliegerstaffel 3 and the Fliegerstaffel 4.

Fliegerstaffel 11 (Tigers) of the Swiss Air Force is a Berufsfliegerkorps squadron equipped with F/A-18 combat jets and, together with Fliegerstaffel 8, is part of Fliegergeschwader 13. The home base of Fliegerstaffel 11 is Meiringen Air Base. Fliegerstaffel 11 is a full member of the NATO Tiger Association and carries a coat of arms depicting a Tiger head on a black background and the wordmark Staffel 11 below the tiger head as its crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zielflugstaffel 12</span> Military unit

Zielflugstaffel 12, former known as Fliegerstaffel 12 of the Swiss Air Force is a militia squadron equipped with Northrop F-5E and Pilatus PC-9 and part of the Flugplatzkommando 7. The home base of the unit is Militärflugplatz Emmen. As coat of arms, the Zielflugstaffel carries a badge with a yellow and black target pattern, a bullseye and the writing "Zfl St 12".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 13</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 13 of the Swiss Air Force was equipped with Northrop F-5 flown by militia pilots when disbanded in 2000. Their home base at the dissolution was Payerne Air Base. Fliegerstaffel 13 wore a shield-shaped insignia with a blue outer edge, showing an eagle with wings spread out and open claws ready to capture its prey, against a white background, with the red number 13 in front of the upper wing. The old emblem was round with an orange background and black border. It showed the stylized side view of a black wasp looking in the direction of the viewer; over its head was the number 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 16</span> Military unit

The Fliegerstaffel 16 of the Swiss Air Force was last equipped with Northrop F-5 F aircraft. Their home base was Sion Airport. The Fliegerstaffel 16 had a shield-shaped coat of arms showing the side view of a black dragon with a red eye, red claws, and a red firebeam in front of the white digit 16 and a dark blue background. The old badge was the same, but in round design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 17</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 17 "Falcons" of the Swiss Air Force is a Berufsfliegerkorps squadron of professional pilots flying McDonnell Douglas F/A-18. Together with Fliegerstaffel 6 it forms Fliegergeschwader 11. The home base of the squadron is Payerne Air Base. Fliegerstaffel 17 features a red falcon on a white ground with the black number 17 as its coat of arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 18</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 18 «Panthers» of the Swiss Air Force is a Berufsfliegerkorps squadron equipped with McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 and forms Fliegergeschwader 14 together with Fliegerstaffel 19. The home base of the Fliegerstaffel 18 is Payerne Air Base. The Fliegerstaffel 18 carries a Black Panther against a green backdrop as its coat of arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 19</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 19 of the Swiss Air Force is a militia squadron equipped with Northrop F-5E and forms together with Fliegerstaffel 18 Fliegergeschwader 14. The home base of the fliegerstaffel 19 is Sion Airport. The "Fliegerstaffel 19" carries as a coat of arms a stylized swan on a blue background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 20</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 20 was a Swiss Air Force squadron equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft. Their home base at the dissolution was the military airfield at Mollis. The squadron carried as its coat of arms a black Bison on a yellow background. The writing “Fl St 20” below the Bison appeared during the squadron's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fliegerstaffel 21</span> Military unit

Fliegerstaffel 21 was a Swiss Air Force squadron equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft at the dissolution in 1994. Their home base was at the Raron Military Airfield. As a coat of arms, Fliegerstaffel 21 carried a white beaver, firing two guns while riding a red shark. On the shark is the black digit 21.

References