FERRYING HAWKER HUNTERS FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO SWITZERLAND, 1958 - 1960
After the cancellation of the local P-16 fighter-bomber project, the Swiss Government decided to purchase a series of 100 Hawker Hunters.
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Taken directly from RAF inventory, the first 12 aircraft were “standard” Mk.6s and had only a few dozen flying hours to their credit.
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On 3 April 1958, Hans Häfliger ferried the first Hunter (J-4001, ex RAF XE536) from Dunsfold to Emmen.
In the following two years, another 88 aircraft were produced for and flown to Switzerland.
The equipment of Häfliger (26 ferry flights), Brunner (39) and their colleagues was a mix of Swiss, American and British material:
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In the pictures of the era, “Pilotenkombi 50” , MB-2 flight suit, not modified H-5 helmets fitted with H-Type or A-13 A oxygen mask and British life preserver 22c/1350 or 22c/1741 can be recognized. In most cases, pilots wore city shoes.
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We tried to reproduce the equipment worn by Hans Häfliger when ferrying Hunter J-4001.
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Under the MB-2 suit, our pilot wears a wool pullover; a Sportex H-5 (not yet modified with the "gullwing cut") provided with an
A-13 A oxygen mask, life preserver 22c /1741 (Waistcoat, Life Jacket, Aircrew, Mk. ?).
He has already fitted the ejection seat leg garters and wears city shoes.
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We added an “Effektentasche” with maps, documentation and personal items.
The Frankenstein & Sons 22c/1350 "Waistcoat, Life Jacket, Aircrew, Mk. 3"
The Frankenstein & Sons 22c/1741 "Waistcoat, Life Jacket, Aircrew, Mk. (?)"
Martin Baker leg garters.
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