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In 1994 Hunterverein Obersimmental
was formed under the patronage of
four districts of the Obersimmental region in the Bernese Oberland, with the sole aim of
preserving Hunter J-4040 in flying condition.
J-4040 had been given its unique paint scheme in 1993 while nearing the end of its
service life with Fliegerstaffel 15 at St Stephan, the work being done at Interlaken by members
of maintenance unit Fliegerkorps 18 under the guidance of Corporal
François Bértherin. Thereafter known as
Papyrus and displaying the symbolic serial J-4015, the aircraft
was saved from the scrapyard and began its painstaking journey back to full serviceability.
At St Stephan on 18th August 2000 Papyrus flew again for Hunterverein Obersimmental,
after more years of dedicated and focused preparation by technicians Andreas Willener,
Peter Gerber and Albert Brügger. After this initial test flight (with
Hans Peter Reusser at the controls) she was flown in public at the
Hunterfest the following day by the last (and 15th!) Commandant of Fliegerstaffel 15, Ueli Leutert.
During 2001 the aircraft was invited to Kemble for the Hunter 50th celebrations in July,
and also the large Display at RAF Cottesmore a week later.
She then took part in the Hunterfest at St Stephan in August.
Papyrus is currently undergoing maintenance,
and we look forward to seeing her again in 2004... that year is also the tenth anniversary of
HV Obersimmental.
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