Squadron Exchanges 1973

In May 1973 a squadron exchange took place between the French Air Force ER 2/33 at Strassbourg flying the Mirage IIIR, and the Dutch Air Force 306 Squadron, normally based at Volkel, but now flying from the 306 Squadron reserve Air Base at De Peel. It was a two-way exchange where 6 Dutch Starfighters flew from the Peel AB to Strassbourg AB and five camouflaged Mirage IIIR aircraft came over to De Peel AB. Some, and maybe all, Mirages received 306 Squadron badges on their tailfins.

This month there was a squadron exchange between the Italian Air Force 155 Gruppo, based at Piacenza AB and the Belgium Air Force 2 Escadrille based at Florennes AB flying the Mirage 5BA aircraft. It was a two way exchange. Seen at Bierset on 15th March 1973 was only aircraft MM6795/50-12. And another aircraft seen was MM6793 with code 50-10. Both aircraft are seen in the air-air photo beneath (thanks to Gerrit Boxem)
Very likely the pre-exchange took place in March.

In May 1973 there was a squadron exchange between the Danish Air Force 724 Eskadrille, based at Skrydstrup, flying the Hawker Hunter and the Dutch Air Force 322 Squadron based at Leeuwarden flying the F-104G. It was a two way exchange where four Hunters flew to Holland. Photo beneath show the four Hunters arriving over Leeuwarden Air Base together with 322 Squadron Starfighters (photo's thanks to 322 Squadron and Henk Ploegstra)

This month there was a squadron exchange between the Belgium Air Force 350 Squadron (1 Wing), based at Beauvechain, and Royal Air Force Lightning F.3 s operated by 111 Squadron based at Wattisham. It was a two way exchange but sadly the participating 104 in the UK are unknown. Beneath a photo thanks to Serge Bonfond showing FX27 and FX93 flying together with two Lightnings, likely over Belgium.

This month there was a squadron exchange between the Italian Air Force 22 Gruppo, based at Istrana AB and the Dutch Air Force 312 Squadron based at Volkel AB both flying the F-104. It was a two way exchange. Italian Starfighters seen at Volkel were F-104S aircraft MM6707/51-05, MM6718/51-16, MM6721/51-14 and MM6777/51-24. Pre-exchange took place by two Starfighters (MM6717/51-11 and MM6777/51-24) on April 18th. Beneath a photo showing MM6718 code 51-16, taken at Volkel by Paul van Oers. Also a photo beneath showing the MM6707 after the squadron exchange, still with 312sq badges sticked on its tail fin. (Thanks to Riccardo Vestuto). Also a nice mixed formation picture can be found showing all participating Italian Starfighters at Volkel (thanks to Ton van der Zeeuw).

In May 1973 there was a squadron exchange between the Norwegian Air Force 334 Skv, based at Bodo, flying the F-5 and the Canadian Air Force 439 Squadron flying the CF-104. It is unknown if it was a one or two way exchange but at least the Starfighters were seen in Norway. One of the Canadian Starfighters was lost during the exchange. It was CF-104 nr 104864 pitched up in landing-pattern of Bodo AB after a DACT mission with another CF against two F5's of 334 Skv. It happened on 10 May and sadly , Capt. Paul Rackham lost his life. He ejected but too late.

This month the Danish 723 Eskadrille had a squadron exchange with RAF 29 Squadron from Coningsby AB. Four Lightning F.3 aircraft flew to Denmark and on photos Danish two-seaters RT-655 and RT-657 were noticed. In total 4 Danish aircraft flew to England. Photos beneath shows a nice formation where TF-104G RT-657 is leading four English Lightnings to Aalborg AB for the exchange. These photos were taken from the cockpit of TF-104G RT-655 (by Peter Otto Andersen).

This month German Air Force JBG33 (1st and 2nd Staffel) flying the F-104G, stationed at Buchel, exchanged with the Norwegian 336 Skv based at Rygge, operating the F-5A, during this period. It is not sure if it was a one or a two-way exchange but at least both Staffels flew at Rygge. Provided photos beneath were received, thanks to the PRO Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33. On the picture, pretty much in the middle of the crowd, besides the guy with the formal hat on, is pilot "Jack" Merkle. In the middle (standing) is the Commander of the 2nd Staffel of JBG33 , Lt/Col Kurt Gick.

In June 1973 a squadron exchange took place between the Royal Air Force 29 Squadron, based at RAF Wattisham, flying the Lightning jet fighter and the Dutch Air Force 323 Squadron based at Leeuwarden AB flying the F-104G. It was a two way exchange. Participating Starfighters were D-8058, D-8084, D-8090, D-8098 and D-8319. The same period RAF 29 Squadron was flying at Leeuwarden Air Base with three Lightning F.3 and one Lightning T.5 aircraft. Beneath a photo taken by Colin Murray at Wattisham during the event showing a line up of the Dutch Starfighters. The black and white group photo was also taken at Wattisham, thanks to Peter Hindley.

Norwegian Air Force 331 Skv at Bodo AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, exchanged with RAF 23 Squadron flying the Lightning F.6, based at RAF Leuchars. It was a 2 way exchange.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JG71 (2nd Staffel), based at Wittmundhafen, flying the F-104G and the Royal Air Force 111 Squadron based at Wattisham flying the Lightning. It was a two way exchange where four Lightnings flew to Germany. It was the last squadron exchange for JG71 while operating the F-104G. Seen on August the 5th were aircraft 23+53, 23+54, 23+60, 23+74, 23+81 and 27+35. The TF-104G 27+35 received the famous 4 feet painted beneath the cockpit as souvenir as can be seen on the photo beneath.

In August 1973 a squadron exchange took place between the Italian Air Force 102 Gruppo, based at Rimini AB, and the Dutch Air Force 311 Squadron based at Volkel AB both flying the F-104G. It was a two way exchange. Aircraft seen at Volkel were F-104Gs MM6547/5-04, MM6556/5-11 and MM6603/5-20. A total of four Dutch F-104Gs of which one was D-6698 flew from Holland to Rimini. Pre-exchange took place on 13 July 1973 by 5-08 (likely MM6573, but not confirmed) and 5-10 (likely MM6505 but not confirmed). Photo beneath shows a nice line-up of Starfighters at Volkel Air Base. (Photo Traditiekamer Typhoon, via Jeroen Jonkers). Photo of D-6698 at Rimini shows pilot Peer Dekkers (by Peer Dekkers), the one of the landing 5-11 at Volkel was taken by Frank Swinkels. Some state that the aircraft flew back home on August 17th but we found no proof yet. And 10 days would be quite a long period for a squadron exchange also.

In August 1973 a squadron exchange took place between the Hellenic Air Force 336 Mira, based at Araxos AB, and the Belgium Air Force 23 Smaldeel (10Wing) based at Kleine Brogel AB both flying the F-104G. It was a two way exchange. Six Starfighters from Greece were seen in Belgium being 63-12705/FG-705, 63-12711/FG-711, 63-12712/FG-712, 63-12715/FG-715, 63-12722/FG-722 and 63-13639/FG-639. (Some believe it ended the 14th of August).

In August 1973 the Canadian 441 Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter at Baden-Sollingen had a squadron exchange with the Danish Air Force 727 Eskadrille at Karup flying the F-100 Super Sabre. It is unknown if it was a one or two-way exchange but at least the Canadian Starfighters were in Denmark this period. CF-104 aircraft included 104779 (arriving 22nd), 104808, 104859, 104869 and 104892. Below a picture thanks to CF-104 pilot Ted Lee. The picture was taken on the day of arrival at Karup.

This month there was a squadron exchange between the German Air Force JBG31, based at Norvenich AB and in principle the Turkish Air Force 112 Filo based at Eskisehir AB flying the F-100C Super Sabre. It was a two way exchange where six F-100s came to Norvenich and four Starfighters flew to Turkey but not to Eskisehir but Murted (141 filo). Transport was flown by aircraft 50+45 from LTG63. Flying to Murted could be because of possible runway repair at Eskisehir. Starfighters at Murted included F-104G 21+63 which also suffered a heavy birdstrike during this exchange period. Beneath a few wonderful and very unique photos taken by Helmut Baumann when he was at Murted during the exchange. It shows a few Murted operating F-104G Starfighters from 141 Filo. Also a photo from JBG31 showing TF-104G 27+21 flying formation with Turkish F100C 41798 over the German landscape.

This year a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 314 Squadron, based at Eindhoven, flying the NF-5 and the Italian Air Force 132 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata), based at Villafranca, flying the F-104G. It was a 2 way exchange. Italian aircraft seen at Eindhoven were MM6558 code 3-38, MM6511 code 3-43, MM6598 code 3-41 (not MM6599!) and MM6522 code 3-42 . Support aircraft on way back was C-130H 46-14/MM62000 seen on the 13th. Photo beneath shows two Starfighters (including 3-38) ready for take off at the runway of Eindhoven AB. Please note the old fashioned NLM F-27 Friendship in the background (Photo by H. van der Laar).

The Danish Air Force 723 Eskadrille, operating the F-104G at Aalborg, exchanged this period with the Italian Air Force 12 Gruppo, operating the F-104S from Gioia del Colle. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange but at least the Danish Starfighters were in Italy. Initially there were 4 Starfighters but lateron a two-seater Starfighter flew to Italy with spare-parts needed for one of the other 104s, and the two-seater stayed till the end of the event. One of the participating Danish Starfighters must have been R-756 because in November this aircraft was noted at Aalborg with 12 Gruppo markings on the inlets. Photo's have been taken by Per Johansen, taken during a mission of the Etna vulcano mountains and R-756 at Aalborg 9 November 1973 by Erik Frikke.

In this period a squadron exchange took place between the French Navy 16F, based at Landivisiau NAS, flying the Etendard IVP aircraft and the German Navy MFG2 based at Eggebek flying the F-104G. It was a 1 way exchange. In total six RF-104G Starfighters flew to France. In June or July 1973 two Starfighters visited Landiviseau for a pre-visit, being TF-104G 28+10 and RF-104G 23+22 as seen beneath.

The Royal Air Force 5 Squadron, based at Binbrook flying the Lightning F.6 exchanged with the German Air Force JG74 (1st Staffel) based at Neuburg AB, flying the F-104G. It was a two-way exchange where four Lightnings flew to Germany and five Starfighters flew to the UK. The RAF also flew over a Canberra T.17 from 360 Squadron to Neuburg, used for electronic warfare exercises during the exchange period. German Starfighters seen at Binbrook were F-104G 21+06, 23+76 (JG71 markings), 24+64, 25+68, 25+93 and TF-104G 28+28. Beneath photos of 25+68 at the Binbrook flightline and also a photo of this aircraft taxying during a clean mission from Binbrook on October 1st and also a photo of taxying 23+76 (with JG71 markings) during arriving at or departing from Binbrook on October 1st. Both taxy photos thanks to Heribert Mennen.

In July 1973 the USAFE 92 TFS/81 TFW flying the F-4C Phantom from Bentwaters AFB visited the Canadian 421 Squadron flying the CF-104 Starfighter at Baden-Soellingen. It was a shifted two-way exchange. In September 1973 the 421 Squadron visited the 92 TFS at Bentwaters in return. Seen during the event at Bentwaters were CF-104s 104733, 104743, 104761, 104805 and CF-104D 104656 on 4 September (according BAR magazine). On 12 September were seen (according to Anglia Aeronews and SEAR) the same CF-104s except two-seater 104656.

This month the Italian Air Force 10 Gruppo (9 Stormo) at Grazzanise, operating the F-104S and some old F-104G Starfighter, exchanged with RAF 23 Squadron flying the Lightning F.6, based at RAF Leuchars. It was a 2 way exchange. Aircraft seen (reported October 10th) were: F-104G MM6561/9-12 and F-104S Starfighters MM6809/9-35, MM6815/9-32, MM6817/9-34 and MM6818/9-36. (Serials thanks to John Ross) The pre-exchange could have taken place on the 21st of August 1973 when two 9 Stormo Starfighters were seen at Leuchars being MM6809/9-35 and MM6818/9-36 accompanied by TF-104G MM54226/20-1.
The photo beneath was taken during the exchange above Italy showing two 23 Squadron Lightning F.6 jets with Starfighters MM6808 code 9-30 and aircraft 9-23 (unknown MM). Be aware that 10 Gruppo was still converting to S, so they still used a mix of G and S aircraft.

In 1973 a squadron exchange took place between the Italian Air Force 28 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata) based at Villafranca AB, flying the RF-104G and the Norwegian Air Force 338 SKV flying the F-5A from Orland AB. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange.

The Belgium Air Force 1 Wing - 349 Squadron operating the F-104G at Beauvechain exchanged this period with the Turkish Air Force 152 Filo, operating the F-5A from Merzifon. It was a 1-way exchange where only the Turkish F-5s visited Belgium. Beneath group photos taken at Beauvechain (unknown source).

The German Navy MFG1, operating the F-104G at Schleswig, exchanged this period with the Italian Air Force 156 Gruppo, operating the F-104S from Gioia del Colle. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange but at least the Germans flew to Italy. Because two 156 Gruppo Starfighters have been noticed in 1973 wearing MFG1 badges it looks like the Italians have been in Germany as well. Italian Starfighters seen with MFG1 zapps were MM6761/36-43 and MM6744/36-44.

The Danish Air Force 726 Eskadrille, operating the F-104G (CF-104) at Aalborg, exchanged this period with the Italian Air Force 9 Gruppo, operating the F-104G or S from Grosseto. It was a 2 way exchange where at least 4 (but maybe even 6) Danish Starfighters flew to Italy and the Italians were in Denmark the same time.