Following the earlier grounding of the Hunter T.68 J-4201/HB-RVR which has now been sold to Canada where it will continue to fly, Switzerland’s last airworthy Hunter F-58 J-4040/HB-RVS ‘Papyrus’ have now also been grounded forever.

On February 12, 2024, the members of the Hunter Association Obersimmental were officially informed via letter that the Hunter F-58 J-4040/HB-RVS ‘Papyrus’ will never fly again.

The aircraft was flown over from St. Stephan to Altenrhein in October 2022 to undergo its annual inspection with hopes of having the Hunter flying for at least one more season. Nobody knew at the time that this would be the last flight.

The aircraft will be taken by road transport from Altenrhein to St. Stephen in mid-March, where it will be on a permanent static display in the future.

Grounding of ‘Papyrus’ may well have brought an end to Hawker Hunters flying on the Swiss civil register.