CAF Swiss Wing celebrates its 30th anniversary

To mark its 30th anniversary, the Commemorative Air Force CAF, Swiss Wing, gave itself a present. Under the leadership of Kuno Gross, President of the CAF, the association organized a large fly-in at Birrfeld airfield on 28 June. The spectators enjoyed 48 historic and well-maintained classic aircraft.

Back in 2017, CAF Swiss Wing organized the first and later another small fly-in at Birrfeld airfield. It has never been as big and impressive, but also as elaborate as this year. "Without the voluntary help of over 60 helpers from various clubs and flying groups, it wouldn't be possible," says Gross. After all, pilots and their planes came from all over Switzerland and neighboring countries.

To the line-up

Around 20 Pipers, seven wooden Jodels, four Cessna 140 and 170, three Bücker Jungmann, two Boeing Stearman, two Dornier Do-27, two Aeronca and the four Antonov An-2 thrilled the audience, as did the exotic Pilatus P-2 and P-3, a Stinson L-5 and the two-seater Noorduyn AT-16.

Scale and man-carrying

The Veterano flying group operates an Ercoupe 415-D, among others. The Greek model builder Hector Pergamalis spent three years building a scale model on a scale of 1:3. One day before the fly-in, he brought his scale Ercoupe to Switzerland and took off for a flight. Pergamalis will be taking part in the World Scale Modeling Championships with the model. 

Text and pictures: Roger Steiner