Post by Steve on Mar 8, 2011 23:26:19 GMT -6
One of my favorite youtube videos. What! No UFOs? A spectacular tour of Switzerland (parts of it upside down) courtesy of the 'Schweizer Luftwaffe' (Swiss Air force) from the right seat of a Hunter T-68 (two seat trainer). The Hunters have since been retired - the 'Schweizer Luftwaffe now flying F-18 Hornets and F- 5's. Dad was born in Switzerland in 1923 (Schwytz).
Technically - Mont Blanc is in France, very close to the Swiss border. But I believe that one could include it in the term Swiss Alps, albeit in a much broader context. It is certainly part of the Alps and in no way detracts from the beauty of this video.
In both films, there are low passes on the Mauvoisin Reservoir (second video - in winter from the dam direction), and in the first video diving down low over the water in an awesome paannamic summer view.
In the second video, you even get to soar in a vertical climb literally up close along the face of the Matterhorn.
The Swiss air force incorporates the Alps in their dogfighting tactics flying any unfamiliar opponents into the mountain sides. So if they seem very close to the spectacular scenery, it has a serious purpose in wartime.
One of the wealthiest nations on Earth per capita, Switzerland zealously successfully defended it's neutrality after many conflicts in Europe, including two World Wars and a Cold War. The last invader of Switzerland was Napoleon in 1798. The Nazi's planned an invasion of Switzerland, but deemed it too costly. The democratic Swiss confederation held on, surrounded harboring Europe's refugees, Jews. Even becoming an ideal strategic location for the American OSS intelligence services in Europe against the Nazis. Switzerland in time - outlasting the Nazi threat - the only unoccupied country in Europe unspoiled by war. Pardon me...I must be experiencing a sugar rush.
Any way....a small break from the usual.
Genießen Sie (Enjoy)
Steve
Technically - Mont Blanc is in France, very close to the Swiss border. But I believe that one could include it in the term Swiss Alps, albeit in a much broader context. It is certainly part of the Alps and in no way detracts from the beauty of this video.
In both films, there are low passes on the Mauvoisin Reservoir (second video - in winter from the dam direction), and in the first video diving down low over the water in an awesome paannamic summer view.
In the second video, you even get to soar in a vertical climb literally up close along the face of the Matterhorn.
The Swiss air force incorporates the Alps in their dogfighting tactics flying any unfamiliar opponents into the mountain sides. So if they seem very close to the spectacular scenery, it has a serious purpose in wartime.
One of the wealthiest nations on Earth per capita, Switzerland zealously successfully defended it's neutrality after many conflicts in Europe, including two World Wars and a Cold War. The last invader of Switzerland was Napoleon in 1798. The Nazi's planned an invasion of Switzerland, but deemed it too costly. The democratic Swiss confederation held on, surrounded harboring Europe's refugees, Jews. Even becoming an ideal strategic location for the American OSS intelligence services in Europe against the Nazis. Switzerland in time - outlasting the Nazi threat - the only unoccupied country in Europe unspoiled by war. Pardon me...I must be experiencing a sugar rush.
Any way....a small break from the usual.
Genießen Sie (Enjoy)
Steve