Swiss Part Un(1): 'NichtErholungskurs' beim Nässe

[Flygvapnet_Viggen]

According to the Scramble SIS page it should be in the weeks 17 'till 20 that Payerne conducted the 2009 Wiederholungskurs/Cours de répétition/Repetition Course. This was the main reason for us (me and my brother) to drive down to Switzerland on Sunday the 26th of April. As it was our first time in Switzerland we decided to take the whole week and visit not only Payerne. However, as we were full of excitement the first day was not as expected... Not to forget the horrible night we had in our hostel: one snorry guy and not much of sleep. So with a bad mood, at 8am, we stood ready along the runway of Payerne. While waiting, the weather got 'better': ... NOT. Clouds were moving fast, rain was coming down and more rain came down! ... at least it was 'good' wx for bad-weather shots!
OK, so after a few hours still nothing happend besides one All3 and a PC7... Actually, that was the result of this first day: rain, rain, rain, and a few props moving around... ... We thought: "are we watching a 'nichterholungskurs' or what?!" So we ended with an even worser mood than we stood up with...

Payerne, 27-04-2009
#1 The only one F5 we spotted stood outside its shelter


#2 THE movement of that day!



Next day we tried our (bad) luck again at Payerne. Same story this time: around 9am still no activities. That was it! A short consultation at the security office resulted in us racing to Meiringen as the jet activities at Payerne were only to begin from that thursday!! Weather still stayed at these marvelous, rainy, low cloudy, vortexy conditions. Wonderfull opportunities at Meiringen thus... ... At least there jets were flying!! The weather drained our minds and we started to enjoy shooting in the rain!!!


Meiringen, 28-04-2009
#3


#4 vortex and afterburners!


#5


#6


#7


#8 you gotta love that crappy weather


#9


#10 Back to the safe, dry mountain



More of Meiringen, Alpnach and Payerne to follow soon...

Ciao! Corné

[evhest]

Too bad about the rain, but the light on that landing twoseater is excellent!

[planespotters.nl]

9 is impressive!

[Key]

Looks to me, you absolutely made the best of it. Great images.

Erik

[Maarten]

Still drying up after that rain and rain. , besides that we had a great time.
Here a few from my side of the 28th of april.

1. The 'great' action at payerne


2. Action at Meiringen


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


Greetz
Maarten Uittenbogaard

[Slash_fan]

Too sad i couldn't make it to go to Swiss with you guys, but on the other hand i really enjoyed the good weather here in NL
But nonetheless you two made some great pictures, as i know allready a little bit of whats going to come next as your little brother and i'm curious on which pictures will be next online here!
I especially like the apprpoach shot of you Corné and i really love #3 of you Maarten, great composition with that mountain on the background

greetz Joren

[Flygvapnet_Viggen]

Thanx for the positive comments guys!!!

Also that Wednesday we drove to Meiringen. Waking up around 6am and before 8am we parked the car at the parkingplace near the runway of Meiringen! We were again expecting too much as we thought the first wave would go out around 8:00, but our patience was tested again and we had to wait untill 10:00 for the first F18 to start up.
Weather looked nice, there was even a little bit of sun, but of course while we were waiting clouds came in again and rain poored down again.

Looking good!!

Looking wet!!


Even while I am a big fan of bad-weather this was getting too much for me! And after the return of this first wave, we drove on to Alpnach.

Meiringen, 29-04-2009
#11


#12 burn baby burn


#13


#14 Hit the brakes!!!


#15 what a mystical scene!


#16


To be continued... ...
Corné

[Ghanz]

Great shots guys! You really made the best of it.

Also, funny to see that an empty wingtip rail causes more vortex than the wingtip with a Sidewinder on it. I wonder if this implies that it would actually be more "economical" to fly with missiles (or dummies for that matter).

To give a possible answer myself: the added weight, and frontal area of another missile could very well nullify the lower drag caused by minimizing the vortex.

Anyone other ideas?


Greetz,
Hans.

[Kees van der Velden]

Outrageous, isn't? Whenever you have to work or study skies are blue and the sun is burning and comes the day you're off work and all geared up for some wonderful photography the cloudes open up and rain is pouring down relentlessly. I've been there many times myself...
Nevertheless you have managed to create some very nice pictures and convey the atmosphere of the day perfectly. Congratulations on a job well done!
I hope the Nikons have dried out by now.

[JJ37]

Congratulations the excelent job.

[John Rambo]

Despite the bad weather, still nice photo's. Better luck next time.