Hunter

Hunter - ein Jaeger fuer die Schweiz
Hunter - a fighter for Switzerland

Authors: Olivier Borgeaud, Peter Gunti, Peter Lewis

Published: Hunter Verein Interlaken, 1997 ISBN: 3-85545-840-5

Much has already been written about the Hawker Hunter, but now three co-authors have produced what will almost certainly be seen as the definitive and ultimate book about the Hunter in Swiss Air Force service. Well-researched text combined with superlative photographs unfold over 328 captivating pages and explore the Swiss Hunter's in every detail. We begin with the construction of the Hunter's and their subsequent Swiss "naturalisation".

A special chapter is dedicated in the second tranche of the book to the later purchases of refurbished Hunters. "Scrapped, Donated and Forgotten" is the title of a further section dealing with the end of the Hunter-era in Switzerland. Yet more chapters examine the Structure, armament, external loads and the Hunter's various experimental trial-work.

In addition, one gains an insight into flight operations as well as all the individual squadrons, such as the Patrouille Suisse. As if that wasn't enough, the various operational tactics devised to maximise the effectiveness of the Hunter as a weapon system are described in detail.

However, even the legendary and much loved Hunter did succumb to accidents and a special chapter has been written dealing with this more tragic side of Hunter operations. Finally, the extensive appendix is literally ablaze with information ranging from a listing of the entire Hunter fleet and individual aircraft flying hours to, for example, their ultimate fate and present location. Contained within this book are over 610 photographs and diagrams, including an exemplary "photo-album" section. The reader can rest assured that despite all the emphasis on the hardware, the human factor has not been forgotten and a true picture is gained of what it was like to live with the aircraft over the last 30 or so years.

The definitive history of the Swiss Hunter's has now been written and the reviewer can only congratulate the authors and their many contributors on this outstanding work.

Excerpt from "Aero Revue" February 1998.

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