AIR 04 PAYERNE (LSMP)
CANTON OF VAUD
SWISS
Saturday - Sunday 4th -5th September 2004
The Payerne Air Base (ICAO code: LSMP) is considered the "spearhead" of the Swiss Air Force. Located in the canton of Vaud, halfway between Lausanne and Bern, it is the operational heart of the national air defense. The Payerne Air Base is transformed into the beating heart of European aviation. On this first weekend of September 2004, the eyes of thousands of fans are turned upwards to celebrate three historic milestones: the 90th anniversary of the Swiss Air Force, the 40th anniversary of the Patrouille Suisse and the 15th anniversary of the PC-7 Team. The atmosphere is electric, charged with the smell of kerosene and the enthusiasm of an oceanic crowd.
British Aerospace Harrier GR.7 United Kingdom - Royal Air Force (RAF)
The flight schedule is tight and leaves no breath: from 9 in the morning until 17:00, the sky above the Broye is a succession of acrobatics and speed. Among the absolute protagonists are the four most modern fighters on the world scene: the French Rafale, the US Super Hornet, the Swedish Gripen and the Eurofighter. There is no shortage of breathtaking performances by the aerobatic teams: the Frecce Tricolori enchant with their green, white and red trails, flanked by the Swiss precision of the Patrouille Suisse and the elegance of other international formations. A moment of great fascination is the passage of the legendary Super Constellation, the "king" of propeller airliners, which takes the public back to the golden age of transatlantic aviation.
Hawker Hunter Mk.58 Private
The moment everyone is waiting for has finally arrived. The buzz of the crowd subsides and gives way to a deep rumble, a crescendo that vibrates the air above the Payerne base. It is not a single plane, and it is not a single patrol: it is a metal wall advancing in unison.
Above our heads parades an imposing formation consisting of five national aerobatic teams. It is a very rare event, almost unbelievable in terms of precision and technical complexity. In a single, huge array, they fly together:
The Italian Frecce Tricolori with their 10 MB-339s.
The hosts of Patrouille Suisse with the 6 Tiger F-5E.
The British Red Arrows with their flaming red 9 Hawks.
The Spanish Patrulla Águila with the 7 CASA aircraft.
The Swedish Team 60 with the Saab 105.
In total, there are about 40 military jets that maintain a millimeter distance from each other, transforming the sky of Payerne into a mosaic of different colors and nationalities. White trails mark the trajectory of this multinational fleet celebrating 90 years of the Swiss Air Force.
Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation Super Constellation Flyers Association
Saab J-35Ö Mk.II Draken
Austria - Air Force
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
Germany - Air Force
On land, the static exhibition allows a close contact with history and technology. Visitors can admire fighter planes such as the Mirage 2000 and the British Harrier, famous for its vertical landing and take-off capability, from a few meters. It is a unique opportunity to see aircraft from 17 different nationalities lined up, an absolute first for a Swiss event The turnout is extraordinary: about 275,000 spectators crowd the lawns of the air base during the weekend. The weather conditions are favorable, with the sun shining high and guaranteeing maximum visibility for aerobatic evolutions, allowing pilots to perform their complete programs without the restrictions due to low clouds
Panavia Tornado IDS
Germany - Air Force
Panavia Tornado IDS
Italy - Air Force
General Dynamics F-16BM Fighting Falcon
Norway - Air Force
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon
Norway - Air Force
AIR 04 confirms itself as one of the largest airshows ever held on European soil. More than just a military celebration, the event is a true folk festival capable of combining cutting-edge technology and historical nostalgia. Those who are present today in Payerne know that they are participating in a moment that will remain etched in the memory of flight enthusiasts for decades.
GALLERY AIR04 Payerne
