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above: P-51's parked at Dübendorf Airfield, Summer 1956 (collection Hans Peter Tschanz)

Swiss Air Force Operations 1948 - 1958 / Units

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Dispersal at Buochs during the early 50's (via R. Küng).

This page covers details on the service life of the 130 North American P-51 Mustangs with the Swiss Air Force, especially the units equipped with this type and also on major modifications of Swiss origin applied to the aircraft. We will also provide information on accidents and specially equipped aircraft, such as reconaissance versions and two-seat conversions.


Units

During their service with the Swiss Air Force, the Mustangs equipped five squadrons (Fliegerstaffeln in German, abbreviated FlSt):

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Pilots of UeG FlSt 16 in Dübendorf, Summer 1952. The aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2048 (44-72322)

FlSt 16

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P-51D J-2061 during the Flugmeeting at Dübendorf Airfield in 1949 - note the FlSt 16 inigna below the cockpit
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P-51D-25-NA J-2061 (44-72774) taxying at Dübendorf, during the Flugmeeting 24th & 25th September 1949. Pilot was Oblt. Fritz Genner.


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Pilots of FlSt 18 at Sion-Airfield, Summer 1956. The aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2076 (44-63176). Shortly after this TK (TrainingsKurs = training course) - FlSt18 converted to DH-100 Vampire jets and one year later to DH-112 Venom jets
FlSt 18

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Pilots of FlSt 19 at Meiringen, Spring 1952
FlSt 19

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Pilots of FlSt 20 at Buochs Airfield after conversion to P-51D (from D-3801's) in 1948

​​​​​​​FlSt 20​​​​​​​

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P-51D pilots of FlSt 20 walking to their aircraft, Summer 1953 - note the variety of head-gear worn during that time.

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Pilots of FlSt 21, early 1954. The aircraft is P-51D-20-NA J-2107 (44-63619). This ship is one of those converted to F-6D standard (reconnaissance version) in Switzerland - see pilot at far right leaning on the camera-port for oblique images. Also of interest is the FlSt 21 badge on the fuselage !

FlSt 21

The Swiss AF Museum example (J-2113) also has been adorned with this badge; it never carried it during its active service, though !

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Oblt. Alfred "Mausi" Muser, Deputy-CO of FlSt. 21. He was a long-time member of this unit, having flown Me-109's and D-3801's before the P-51D. In civilian life he was commercial airline pilot with Swissair and Balair.
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Lt. Kurt "Schmuck" Schmucki, member of FlSt 21 - he was lost on 2nd March 1954 in a fatal crash: when his P-51D-20-NA J-2048 developed engine trouble, Schmucki tried to make an emergency landing on a small airfield, but unfortunately clipped a tree on final approach and crashed.

©  Martin Kyburz / Swiss Mustangs 2003 - 2019