As the squadron commander of FW 742 „Zapata“, I would like to welcome you on our homepage. This English version is just a short summary of our page. Unfortunately we can not provide a complete version.

I like to introduce the different pages, so you know what is going in:

The official welcome to our German readers. As well you can see some pictures of the nearby town of Neuburg with its renaissance buildings – worth a visit!

This section is provided for the active squadron members, to keep them informed if they are out of town – witch happens pretty often. Not for non members – sorry!

Already in 1958 the F-4 took off for her maiden flight at McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis. More then 5000 of the two-seat fighter were build. The German “Luftwaffe” got 175 as fighter and fighter-bomber between 1973 and 1975. 110 aircraft got a midlife update from 1991 to 1996, introducing the Hughes AN/APG 65 Radar (as known form the F-18), Laser INS and the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The Phantom will stay in Germany until 2012.

(For more technical data – see “PHANTOM”)

As of Juli 25th we have the EF in town. 12 aircraft are based here now (as of Jul 08) and there are more to come this year. The total number is still in discussion, but it will be at least 2 dozens. Until the Jul of 2008 we had mixed operations with EF and F4 and since then the EF finaly took over.

The Name: the „Zapata“squadron is named after the Mexican freedom fighter and revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.

The Reason:  in the beginning of fast jet flying in 1961 some American tactical advisers, coming from a well established and strict regulation obeying system, where speechless, when on the first day of a large wing exercise, two 2-ships where already airborne, before the official in-briefing was held. “Unbelievable – those young pilots are flying wilder than the ‘Mexican Air Force’”. This verbal challenge was taken on and the squadron named “Zapata” (as in Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican Freedom-Fighter). At least according to the legend.

At the same time the squadron patch was designed by Lieutenant „Mufti“ Eggert, showing Emilano Zapata smoking a cigar.

Some important data:
01.10.1960                  Establishment of the fighter wing in Leipheim
05.05.1961                  Naming of fighter wing – FW (Jagdgeschwader – JG) 74
                                    1.Squadron commander: Cpt von Friesen
1961                           FW 74 moves to Neuburg
04.10.1962                  Assignment of the Quick-Reaction-Alert to NATO
22.11.1973                  FW 74 is awarded the Name „Mölders“
11.03.2005                  For political reasons the Name „Mölders“ is withdrawn

Aircraft types flown
1960 til 1964             F-86K
1964 til 1974             F-104G „Starfighter“
1974 til 2008            F-4F „Phantom“
1993                            Upgrade to F-4F ICE (MLU)
as of July 2006          EF-2000 ("Typhoon")

Some official events the squadron will be involved in

Just a simple news update

Here you can read from the guest-book or make an entry yourself (highly welcome)

Here you can get in contact with the squadron commande for questions, complaints or info

If you want to visit us (please call in advance), this is how to get here

(Scroll down fort he complete English version)

I hope you will enjoy our site. Check six…

VIVA ZAPATA