Squadron Exchanges 1972

The Danish Air Force 723 Eskadrille, based at Aalborg flying the F-104G exchanged with the Belgium Air Force 350 Squadron (1st Wing) based at Beauvechain, also flying the F-104G. It is unknown if this was a one or  two way exchange but at least the Belgian Starfighters flew to Denmark.

This month a exchange took place between the Eggebek based German Navy squadron MFG2 (2nd Staffel) and the Italian 10 Gruppo from Grazzanise both operating the F-104G. It was a one-way exchange where German aircraft flew to Grazzanise with 6 Starfighters. Three of these German F-104s have been identified as 23+05, 23+20 and 23+26. Later 23+05 received the famous horse marking on its tail by Grazzanise personnel.

During this period a Royal Navy “mix” of 809 Squadron Buccaneer S.2 from Lossiemouth and 892 Squadron Phantom FG.1 from Yeovilton were seen operating with MFG 1 at Schleswig Jagel, flying the F-104 Starfighter. This event looks like a one-way squadron exchange for 1 or both squadrons but we still need confirmation. It also could have been a deployment for a Naval exercise or something else. Who can confirm?

This month a exchange took place starting from 3rd of May. Involved were Dutch Air Force 323 Squadron flying the F-104G interceptor aircraft and the Royal Air Force 92 Squadron flying the British counterpart the English Electric Lightning F.2A. It was a 2 way exchange.
In total six Starfighters flew to Gutersloh and four Lightning F2A and one Lightning T4 aircraft flew to Leeuwarden Air Base.
One of the participants from RAF in Leeuwarden, Ray (Jobber) Watson, stated: "One of our Lightning made a very large bang when the Avpin starter system exploded blowing a hole in the fuselage and requiring an engine change. In the 323 crew room, Uncle Bill told you to put your money for your bear in the till, when you went into the bar till all kinds of alarms and lights whould initiate. Our truck from Gutersloh brought the replacement engine together with a generous supply of Guiness Bear and German wine. Happy days".
Note: Inside the official RAF documents (92 squadron) the period was mentioned ending after the weekend, on monday May 15th.

This month a exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 311 Squadron, flying the F-104G fighter bomber aircraft from Volkel and the Italian Air Force 154 Gruppo based at Ghedi, also flying the F-104G. It was a one-way exchange. Only four Dutch Starfighters flew to Italy. Some state that the aircraft flew back home on June 1st but we have not found proof yet. On May 31st the transport was provided by an Italian C-119G.

The Canadian Armed Forces 441 Squadron flying the CF-104, stationed at Baden-Solingen, exchanged with the Norwegian 718 Skv based at Sola AB, flying the F-5, during this period. It was a shifted two-way exchange where from May 23rd to 31st, 1972, five Norwegian F-5s were present at lingen and in June the Canadians were in Norway. One of the participating Starfighters in Norway was CF-104D 104653 which received the markings of 718 Skv on its tail section (see attached picture). Attached a picture of a gift by 441 Squadron to 718 Skv for a celebration event in the weekend of 13 till 16 October 1972 (Thanks to Tom Svendsen).

This month a exchange took place between the German Air Force JG74 (2nd Staffel), flying the F-104G interceptor aircraft from Neuburg and the Royal Air Force 23 Squadron flying the English Electric Lightning based at Leuchars. It was a 2 way exchange. Four Lightning aircraft came to Neuburg together with Shorts Belfast transport aircraft. Over one of the weekends there was a swap of an F-104G and a TF-104G (JG74) involved. The RAF squadron came with 5 RAF and 1 French Air Force (exchange) pilot. Some pictures have been seen of JG74 Starfighter taken at Leuchars in 1972 but there is no confirmation if these aircraft participated in the squadron exchange. These were : 20+88, 20+90, 20+92, 23+44, 24+31, 24+85, 24+87, 25+71 and finally TF-104G 28+31.

This month a exchange took place starting from 12th of June. Involved were Dutch Air Force 312 Squadron flying the F-104G fighter bomber aircraft and the French Air Force EC2-11 flying the F-100 Super Sabre and based at Toul. It was a two-way exchange. Four Super Sabres flew to Holland of which one flew back to France a day later (13th). Together with four F-104G single seaters (D-6669, D-8051, D-8312 and D-8332) the Dutch also brought a TF-104G to France being D-5810. Pre exchange took place on 23 May by 1 Super Sabre. The Super Sabres flew back to France on June 16th but the Starfighters came back to Volkel a few days later on June 21st. Photos shows a formation of two French F-100 and two F-104 aircraft flying in a formation over Southern Holland (Photo TraditieKamer Typhoon via Jeroen Jonkers), The D-8051 at Toul ready for departure and finally a photo of a fly pass of all the five participating Dutch 104s at Toul or Reims (where an open house was held) on June 14th, 1972 (Thanks to Michael de Boer). Also two pictures from the French squadron book including a group photo taken at Volkel. Transport back to France on June 16th was provided by a C-160F Transall.

Norwegian Air Force 331 Skv at Bodo AB, flying the F-104G Starfighter exchanged with the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo based at Cameri AB also flying the F-104 Starfighter. It was a 2 way exchange. Photos beneath were taken by Norwegian F-104 pilot Erik Dahlen showing the four 21 Gruppo aircraft on the Bodo flightline. It shows likely brand new delivered F-104S aircraft since only one aircraft carried a squadron serial which was F-104G MM6532/53-15. The other photo shows the group from an other position. 21 Gruppo was in the process of converting from the G to S version, so they still used a mix of G and S. Participating Norwegian aircraft in Italy included at least F-104Gs 61-2626/FN-B, 62-12240/FN-X and 64-17758/FN-Y. (Thanks to Birger Larsen).

This month the Royal Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, flying the F-104G Starfighter flew to Sollingen for a shifted squadron exchange with the Canadian 439 Tiger Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter, based at Baden-Sollingen. The Greeks stayed for 10 days. In return the Canadian Starfighter flew to Tanagra, Greece in November. Starfighters seen at Sollingen were F-104Gs 63-12706, 63-12721, 64-17787 and TF-104G 62-12274. Beneath some nice photos provided by Hans Koning, taken at Sollingen on July 6th 1972.

This month a exchange toke place between the Wittmundhafen based German Air Force squadron JG71 and the Italian 10 Gruppo from Grazzanise. Aircraft flew via Sollingen AB. Aircraft seen were "9-04", "9-05", "9-16" and "9-23", all F-104Gs (sadly MM serials unknown). It was a two way exchange. (The JG71 books report period as 4-12 July)

This month the Italian Air Force 22 gruppo (51 Stormo) based at Istrana, flying the F-104S Starfighter, exchanged with 11 Squadron flying the Lightning F.6 at Binbrook. It was a two way exchange. Italian Starfighters seen at Binbrook (reported 11 July) were F-104S Starfighters MM6704/51-02, MM6706/51-04, MM6740/51-15 and MM6719/51-22. (Serials thanks to Mike Bursell)

This month the Royal Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, flying the F-104G Starfighter from Tanagra Air Base had a one-way squadron exchange with RAF 54 Squadron based at Coningsby. Only the English F-4M Phantom aircraft flew to Greece.

This month a exchange took place between the German Navy MFG1 based at Schleswig Jagel and the Dutch Air Force 306 Squadron based at Volkel Air Base. It was a 2-way exchange.. German Starfighters seen at Volkel were aircraft 22+77 (arrived August 4th), 22+78, 22+84 (arrived August 4th), 22+93, 23+00 and 26+83 all F-104Gs and no RF-104G which is quite remarkable when exchanging with a Dutch recce-squadron. Dutch Starfighters at Schleswig Jagel were D-8013, D-8059, D-8066, D-8107, D-8138 and two seater D-5808. Two pre-exchanges took place, first by TF-104G 28+22 and F-104G 22+19 on May 9th and later on by two F-104Gs 22+16 and 22+72 on July 19th. During the exchange TF-104G 27+24 also visited the exchanging teams, on August 4th. Transport of the Germans was provided by a Transall C-160D. The photo beneath was taken by Wim van den Boom and shows 22+78 arriving at Volkel Air Base on August 1st.

The Dutch Air Force 322 Squadron based at Leeuwarden AB exchanged with Royal Air Force 111 Squadron based at Leuchars AB flying the Electric Lightning. It is unknown if it was a one or a two-way exchange but at least 4 Lightnings flew to Leeuwarden. In fact in 1972 both squadrons at Leeuwarden exchanged with Lightning jets. Photo beneath shows the shiny silver Lightnings arrive at Leeuwarden, taken by Henk Ploegstra. Participating Starfighters seen at Leuchars were D-6655 and 6667 which both got zapped on starboard front side.

This month the German Air Force JBG31 flying the F-104G, stationed at Norvenich AB exchanged with the Norwegian 338 Skv operating the F-5A at Ørland. It was a shifted two way exchange where in August the Germans flew to Norway. On 24 October the Norwegians flew for their period to Germany.

The Belgium Air Force 349 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB exchanged with nr 5 Squadron flying the Lightning F.6 at Binbrook. It was a two way exchange. First the RAF personnel flew to Beauvechain in a Belfast transport aircraft which also flew the Belgium personnel to Binbrook.. One of the Belgium pilots, Lt Robert “Bib” Verbist, had a ride with two-seat Lightning T5 XS455 of No. 5 Squadron on September 6th with Sqn Ldr Tim Gauvain. However the flight didn't take long. The crew had to bail out after a few minutes due to a hydraulic problem. It caused a stick lock after take off due to almost empty hydraulic reservoirs and aircraft crashed North of Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Both pilots were injured but safe. Belgium Starfighters seen at Binbrook were FX43 and FX44.

This period a squadron exchange was organized between the Royal Air Force 41 Squadron, based at Coningsby, flying the Phantom FGR.2, and the Italian Air Force 28 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata) based at Villafranca flying the RF-104G. It is unknown if it was a one or two way exchange but the four participating Starfighters at Coningsby were: MM6638/3-23, MM6633/3-24, MM6631/3-29 and MM6647/3-30. The pre-exchange visit took place 27 June involving MM6646/3-22  and  MM6647/3-30.

This month there was a squadron exchange between the German Air Force AG51 from Bremgarten and the Italian Air Force 132 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata) based at Villafranca. The Italians flew with the F-104G Starfighter and the Germans with the brandnew RF-4E. It is unknown if it was a one or two way exchange but at least the Italians flew to Germany.

The German Air Force JBG31 flying the F-104G, stationed at Norvenich AB exchanged with the Norwegian 338 Skv based at Ørland AB during this period. It was a shifted two way exchange where in August 1972 the Germans flew to Norway and on 24 October the Norwegians flew for their period to Germany with their four F-5 aircraft.

Earlier this year in July the Royal Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, flying the F-104G Starfighter flew to Sollingen for a shifted squadron exchange with the Canadian 439 Tiger Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter, based at Baden-Sollingen. The Greeks stayed for 10 days. In return the Canadian Starfighter flew to Tanagra, Greece in November and stayed there between the 12th and 21st November.

This year there was a squadron exchange between the Belgium Air Force 23 Smaldeel (10 Wing), operating the F-104G from Kleine Brogel and US Air Force 91 TFS /81 TFW based at Bentwaters, flying the F-4C Phantom. It was a 1-way exchange. Only the Belgium Starfighters visited Bentwaters.

This month the 421 Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter, based at Baden-Sollingen visited the Danish Air Force 730 Eskadrille at Skydstrup flying the F-100 Super Sabre, for eight days. it is unknown if also the Danish F-100s flew to Germany (Patrick Martin information).

This period the 421 Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter, based at Baden-Sollingen visited the Danish Air Force 725 Eskadrille at Karup flying the Saab Draken. It is unknown if also the Danish Drakens flew to Germany but at least the Canadians flew to Denmark. This exchange looks to have been combined with participation of the Tactical Fighter Weaponry exercise held at the Oksbol range. Who is able to confirm and give any date?