It is Axalp week once again and there is no better place than Meiringen to spend some time in between climbs up to the Ebenfluh firing range. Each year I come away after a few days here thinking that there are still some new places and different angles to try. I always aim to improve my expanding collection of images of Swiss Air Force F-5's and F/A-18's. So armed mostly with a fixed 300mm lens I put my ideas into execution once again.

Last year Fliegerstaffel (FlSt) 11 with its McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet's were transferred permanently to Meiringen, however during Axalp week this year they were deployed to Payerne, leaving the Northrop F-5E Tiger II's of FlSt 8 the run of the base. Sorties throughout the week followed the Axalp display program. Firstly eight F-5E's emerged from the caverns and took to the air in pairs in rapid succession. They were followed by a further pair five minutes later. Finally two

Left to right: The morning departure at 08:07 and recovery 30 minutes later of F-5E's (J-3080 and J-3089).

Left to right: After returning from the afternoon sortie, these two special F-5E's taxied into the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) just off the main ramp.

Left to right: Ten F-5E's (J-3079 and J-3068) taxi down the parallel taxiway to the western end for the first launch of the day at 8:30.

Left to right: Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter recently painted in the Patrouille Suisse scheme brought their show commentator in from Emmen on the show days. It carries the name 'Felix' on the nose.

At the eastern end north side for departures and landings
Left to right: You need a good nose sometimes to add to the variety of shots! F-5E's (J-3079, J-3093 and J-3097)

Left to right: Afternoon arrivals from my elevated position, F-5E's (J-3074, J-3097 and J-3093)

Left to right: F-5E's (J-3094, J-3097, J-3073 and J-3097).

Left to right: Some tyre smoke on touchdown always looks good, F-5E's (J-3070, J-3067, J-3097 and J-3072).

The afternoon launch.
Left to right: F-5E's (J-3072, J-3094, J-3068 and pair J-3068 and J-3093)

Left to right: F-5E's (J-3074, J-3097 x2 and J-3068) return in the early morning at the western end.

Left to right: Beside the runway north side F-5E's (J-3044, J-3072 and J-3067) and visiting PC-6 V-620 in the normal scheme.

Eurocopter AS.332M-1 Super Puma's (T-325 and T-312) set off  for Axalp to collect the VIP's at then end of the show.

Left to right: Five AS.332M-1.

Left to right: The caverns were used to house the based F-5E's.