The "Papyrus" is back at home

The Obersimmental HVOS Hunter Club celebrated its 30th anniversary on August 24, 2024. And the rebirth of the club's own Hawker Hunter HB-RVS "Papyrus". But it was also the birthday of a new museum.

In bright sunshine, the two co-presidents Ueli Leutert and Roland Ginggen welcomed around 100 club members and many guests.

The aim of the day was clear: to honor the "Papyrus" and Ueli Leutert. Since the Hunter was decommissioned and handed over to the civilian HVOS in 1994, Ueli Leutert has flown and demonstrated the former Swiss Air Force fighter aircraft at home and abroad as chief pilot for the past 30 years. A film he put together showed the unique history of this legend. After a standing ovation, Roland Ginggen declared Ueli Leutert a deserving Honorary President.

After the "Papyrus" had its airworthiness withdrawn after 30 years, its return to service at the FFA in Altenrhein was prevented by countless hurdles, the aircraft was dismantled there by English mechanics and driven to St. Stephan by road, Ueli and the "Papyrus" were given the honor of taxiing this noble legend over the runway and simulating an aborted take-off. The aircraft now has its place of honor in shelter U3 at St. Stephan airfield and can be admired by visitors in future with its rich history. Ueli Leutert comments: "Personally, I can say that I am extremely proud and happy that there was never a critical situation during the entire flight of the "Papyrus". There has never been a report of an airspace violation, nor has a pilot ever been charged and penalized for speeding. The aviation authority has never had to intervene in any airshow demonstrations."

 

A new part of the historic Swiss military aviation in St. Stephen's

It is thanks to Roland Ginggen and his team that the club can now call a DO-27 and a soon-to-be-restored and airworthy AT-16 of the former Swiss Air Force U-328 its own. The president writes on the new homepage www.u-328.ch:

The Obersimmental Hunter Club sets off for new horizons. In spring 2024, the club acquired a Dornier DO 27 H-2 and a Noorduyn Aviation AT-16 Harvard IIb from the Dübendorf Air Force Center. While the DO 27 H-2 V-607 is being prepared for the exhibition in St. Stephan, the AT-16 with the number U-328 is being made airworthy again at Bleienbach airfield by the newly founded U-328 club. This has the task of managing the project, carrying out the reconstruction and later ensuring the operation of the aircraft. The aircraft will be kept as original as possible and made accessible to the public again in St. Stephen's in the future.

A public holiday and almost a day of flying

In any case, it was a festive day: Eric Chardonnens and his Vampire Trainer honored the festive community together with other numerous flying and walking guests, always accompanied by the St. Stephan Airport Authority. (Pictures and text Felix Meier)