The Classic Formation

The Classic Formation is a Swiss vintage formation team that pairs a beautifully restored Douglas DC-3 with three Beech 18 twins for a sweeping, nostalgic display. The team is led by Swiss industrialist and pilot Hugo Mathys, whose privately owned aircraft form the display fleet. Home base is Grenchen Airport (LSZG) in the canton of Solothurn.

Their crowd-pleasing routine blends elegant four-ship flypasts with close formation work, then interleaves a solo Beech 18 sequence before re-joining for dramatic breaks and a signature opposition pass between the DC-3 and the Beech trio. The team has appeared across Europe, including major UK shows such as Duxford.

Douglas DC-3. The team’s flagship is DC-3 N431HM in a classic Swissair heritage livery. The DC-3 is a 1930s-era, all-metal, twin-engine transport powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines. Its big wing and stable handling make it a superb formation lead and an unmistakable highlight during wide, photo-friendly passes.

Beechcraft Model 18. Three Beech 18s—N21FS, N223CM and N184KP—fly the wing positions. The Beech 18 (also known as C-45/Expeditor) is a rugged twin-radial, taildragger classic typically fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-985 engines. Their compact size and agility complement the DC-3, allowing tight formation geometry and nimble solo elements within the routine.

Driven by a passion for preserving classic airliners and twins, Hugo Mathys assembled a small fleet centred on a DC-3 and three Beech 18s. From their base at Grenchen, the aircraft are maintained and flown regularly for displays and heritage events. The Classic Formation concept brings these icons together in a choreographed four-ship routine that shows off both the DC-3’s stately presence and the Beech 18’s agility.

The display is typically divided into two segments: formation flypasts by all four aircraft, followed by a solo Beech 18 interlude with re-joins, breaks and an opposition pass against the DC-3 to close. The team has performed widely around Europe—among them appearances at Duxford—and the aircraft collectively log dozens of hours each year dedicated to training, proficiency and displays.

• The DC-3 wears a Swissair heritage scheme, a nod to Swiss civil aviation history.
• All three Beech 18s are U.S.-registered: N21FS, N223CM and N184KP.
• The routine emphasises photo-friendly formation flypasts before building to dynamic breaks and an opposition pass.
• The Beech 18s use classic Pratt & Whitney radial engines—distinctive sound guaranteed.
• Home base is Grenchen Airport in Switzerland’s Mittelland, an active GA and heritage hub.