Purchasing and Delivery 1948

This is the story of the purchase and eventual delivery of the 130 P-51 Mustangs for the Swiss Air Force.

It also shows some insight into the postwar USAAF organisation in occupied Germany, especially the units that operated the P-51 Mustangs before they were sold to Switzerland.

Here is an interesting illustration of how the public was infomed about the arrival of the new Mustangs: A short newspaper article published in 'Der Bund' on 16 February 1948, two weeks after the arrival of the first Mustangs in Dübendorf:

And yet another interesting contemporary document:

Swiss Newsreel dated 17 September 1948 showing the arrival of P-51 Mustangs in Switzerland:

Swiss Newsreel of 17 September 1948, showing the arrival of P-51's in Switzerland, the Refurbishment, and early operations.