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      10-15-2017, 06:00 PM   #1
bedensbrook
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Oct 7 ED report

Today is my first day back from a fantastic European Delivery of my M2 - I'd like to share some thoughts and pix.

This was the second ED that my wife and I have done, and driving was not really the focal point since we already planned this trip to Europe long before getting an allocation. Over 9 days we visited 3 countries, and drove about 650 miles. Most of our time was spent in a chalet in the Swiss mountain town of Axalp (a few thousand feet above Lake Brienz), where we attended the Swiss Air Force's annual air power demonstration 7,500 feet high up in the Alps (1.5 hour hike up and down the mountain four days in a row).

My thoughts on the M2? It is tremendously charismatic, and has a great combination of visceral performance, looks and practicality. They must still be rare in Europe, because lots of people were gawking. I love the car, crooked seat and all.
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      10-15-2017, 06:06 PM   #2
bedensbrook
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There are many great ED posts in this forum with pictures of fantastic hotels, meals, mountain passes, and beautiful locales. For a change of pace, I will share some pictures from the air demonstration at Axalp.

This may be the only public "live fire" event in the world; the F-18 Hornet and F-5 Tigers of the Swiss Air Force were unleashing their cannons on the target range above Axalp...literally right over our heads for some of the practice runs!
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      10-15-2017, 06:11 PM   #3
bedensbrook
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The F-18, used primarily by the US Navy, is the Swiss Air Force's front-line fighter jet. Their version is powered by engines that are slightly more powerful than their US counterparts. I've seen the Hornet dozens of times in flight, but it was especially thrilling to see them so much closer in the mountain valley, where sometimes they were below us. Flares, used to confuse infrared heat seeking missiles during air-combat, were used liberally.
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      10-15-2017, 06:19 PM   #4
bedensbrook
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The venerable F-5 Tiger is slowly being phased out of service due to its advanced age and obsolescence. Top Gun fans may recognize it as the black "Mig-28" that Tom Cruise tussled with back in the mid 1980's. The jet is also used by the Patrouille Suisse, Switzerland's equivalent of the US Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. Their red paint job contrasted beautifully with the snow-capped mountains.
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      10-15-2017, 06:27 PM   #5
bedensbrook
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Due to the mountainous terrain in Switzerland, helicopters play a central role in moving troops and supplies, and accessing remote areas. The Super-Puma helicopter is a large chopper that is amazingly maneuverable.

Switzerland developed the Pilatus PC-21, sold worldwide, to train pilots in advanced airmanship before stepping up to jets like the F-18. The red example heading straight for me is piloted by the Swiss Air Force's ranking PC-21 pilot.

Finally, the last shot is of the long hike (well, part of the long hike) up the mountain.
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      10-15-2017, 11:13 PM   #6
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Nice pix!
The concept of a Swiss air force boggles the mind. I thought they were neutral!
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      10-16-2017, 07:28 PM   #7
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Very nice and congrats on the M2
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