Swiss Mustangs

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are from the Swiss Mustangs collection.

P-51D-25-NA J-2113 (44-73349) at Buochs Airfield....

... and how it looked like fresh from production.

The same aircraft, J-2113, seen here displayed at the Swiss Transport Museum, Lucerne, in August 1982, shortly before it was given as permanent loan to the Swiss Air Force Museum, Dübendorf (photo: Fergal Goodman). Detailed photos of this aircraft can be found under "walkaround".

J-2003

P-51D-20-NA J-2003 (44-72350) shortly after delivery to the Swiss Air Force. Note the early style markings - full red rudder with white cross and square insignias on wings.

J-2012

P-51D-20-NA J-2012 (44-72304). This aircraft shows the standard markings: roundels on tail-fin and wings. Of interest is the Aeroproducts (K-type) propeller installed.

J-2036

Mustangs on the ramp at Dübendorf Airfield 1949. Second aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2036 (44-72201).

Buochs

Newly refurbished P-51D's at Buochs Airfield, Summer 1948.

J-2068

P-51D-20-NA J-2068 (44-72283) on high-altitude patrol.

J-2064

P-51D-20-NA J-2064 (44-63666) crossing the alps. The yellow fuselage band and spinner in same colour were short-lived war-game markings.

J-2015

Mustang line-up at Dübendorf. Nearest aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2015 (44-72243). Note insignia-red noses and fuselage bands.

Nose

Fine close-up-study of a Mustang and its Hamilton-Standard HS 24D50-87 (cuffed) propeller.

Engine

Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine-installation. This is P-51D-20-NA J-2002 (44-72374).

J-2037

P-51D-20-NA J-2037 (44-72316) at Emmen, Summer 1953. This aircraft is equipped with a Hamilton Standard HS 24D50-105 propeller (uncuffed, 'paddle-blade' type).

J-2062

Dübendorf, Summer 1949; nearest aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2002 (44-72374) with P-51D-20-NA J-2062 (44-63440) behind.

J-2018

Mustangs on patrol over the Swiss mountains, Spring 1949. Nearest aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2018 (44-72301).

J-2128

F-6K-10-NT J-2128 (44-12525), an original reconnaissance-conversion made at the Dallas-factory, seen here on a test-flight, Summer 1950. Note camera-port (Alfred Muser).

J-2122

Nice in-flight study of P-51D-25-NA J-2122 (44-73048) (Alfred Muser).

J-2103

P-51D-20-NA J-2103 (44-63643) during warm-up at Buochs during Spring 1954. Note the Swiss developed rocket-launchers (Franz Kuster).

Cold weather operations at Buochs.

J-2053

P-51D-20-NA J-2053 (44-72149) at Payerne, early 1954, with P-51D-20-NA J-2024 (44-72469) behind. Both aircraft have Hamilton Standard HS 24D50-105 paddle-blade propellers installed (Franz Kuster).

A pair of Swiss Air Force Mustangs taking off from Buochs Airfield 1954.

Arming the guns of P-51D-20-NA J-2049 (44-72458). The small air-intake in front of the cockpit is a Swiss modification; it provided additional fresh air to the cockpit.

Pilot

A Swiss Air Force pilot getting ready for a training mission. The aircraft is P-51D-25-NA J-2095 (44-73233), with P-51D-25-NA J-2119 (44-72789) in the background.

P-51D-20-NA J-2046 (44-63717) at Emmen Airfield, Summer 1949.

J-2094

P-51D-25-NA J-2094 (44-73109) at Dübendorf, Summer 1957. This is one of nine aircraft that received camouflage in 1954. (Albert Violand)

J-2063

Camouflaged Mustangs at Dübendorf, Fall 1954. Seen here is P-51D-20-NA J-2063 (44-64149) with P-51D-20-NA J-2043 (44-72504) next in line (Karl Sturzenegger)

J-2006

Runways can be slippery when wet.... On 29th February 1952, J-2006, a P-51D-20-NA (44-72456), overshot the runway after landing at Dübendorf in heavy rain and subsequently bent itself and three parked cars.

Vampire

Signs of time. A DeHavilland Dh-100 Vampire taxies past several Mustangs, Dübendorf, Summer 1954. The jet-age was about to render the piston-engined fighters obsolete.

Scrap

The end. The entire Swiss Mustang-fleet withdrawn from use and stored in the open at Buochs Airfield awaiting scrapping, June 1958. Nearest aircraft is P-51D-5-NA J-2115 (44-13316), one of four two-seat conversions with the Swiss AIr Force. Note the unusual canopy which allowed the two halves to slide separately for better access to the rear seat. (Albert Violand)

Phoenix from the ashes.... an ex-Swiss AF Mustang wing stored in North Dakota, USA. It is used as pattern for rebuilding other Mustang wings but hopefully will take to the air once again in the near future (James P. Church).