Spottersday at Wittmund GAF AB July 30, 2008 By Uwe Steenweg
After two years there was held another Spottersday at Wittmund GAF AB in northern Germany. Between 400 and 500 photographer got an invitiation to visit Wittmund for photographing the presently four coloured F-4F in static Display and more during their daily routine flights. First of all it is to be said a thanks very much for the perfect organisation of that day. The staff from Wittmund did what they could to make us feel comfortable during our stay. Next to the Phantoms there where some historic War horses in the static display where I am going to start with. More on the Phantoms later in this report. Enjoy Uwe Striker01 Steenweg This report will be downloadable also on www.5053phantom.com too. These and more pictures are also available in higher resolution via striker01@36vtfw.de
Static display The old time birds Still in a good condition are these two aircraft. The F-104G in an interceptor Configuration and the older F-86 with a special camo.
Remain of WW II is this really old ME 109
Still active is this and a few more A-4 Skyhawk. This particular aircraft is an ex Isreali A-4E now in service with BAe Systems. These aircraft are used as opponents for Air-to-Air training of the flight crews.
Static display F-4F Phantom II 38+49 ( SN 72-1259) This special livery shows a big Rhino made from the word Phantom on both sides of the fuselage and a 50 on the right tail for 50 year of Phantom flight A 35 for 35 years F-4F in service at JG 71 R ( 71 FW Richthofen ) It is coloured in dark blue and gold. A model in scale 1:32 will be available in autum this year by Revell who also sponsored the paint.
On the tail fin the wingmarkings are shown of four GAF wing that Flew the F-4F JG 71 R, JaboG 36 W /JG 72 W /FTC JaboG 35/JG 73 S JG 74 20 FS from Holloman AFB is missing The wing leding edge and slats are painted in gold.
Static display F-4F Phantom II 38+02 ( SN 72-1212)
This aircraft is presented in the regular grey GAF colors loaded with four AIM-9L and four AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Static display F-4F Phantom II 37+16 ( SN 72-1126) This aircraft is from WTD-61 and still wears the livery from the 50 years anniversary of that unit earlier this year.
A number of formulars are written over the fuselage on this aircraft. It is the last Blacknose remaining with the GAF which means that this is the only F-4F still using the old AN APQ 120 Radar system while all other using the AN APG-65 Radar
Static display F-4F Phantom II 38+37 ( SN 72-1247) This color scheme represents the Flyout aircraft from JG 74. On June 12, 2008 officially The last F-4F left Neuburg GAF AB, south Germany and the wing converted to the Tyhpoon aircraft.
This livery show the standard livery Truning from grey into black.
Flying display A-4 Skyhawk N262WL Ex Israeli Skyhawk now flying with BAe Systems
N437FS flying in BAe System colors Flying display A-4 Skyhawk N437FS
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 37+01 ( SN 72-1111) 37+01 short after takeoff (above) and after an overflight (below). Germany s first F-4F
37+01 back on the ground.
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 37+85 ( SN 72-1195) 37+85 after takeoff (above) and turning in for landing (below)
37+85 taxiing back to the shelter.
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 37+89 ( SN 72-1199) 37+89 is taking off (above). While 37+85 climbs 38+73 is taxiing to the runway (below)
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 37+92 ( SN 72-1202) Back from a mission with the chute deployed (above) and back to the shelter after dearming of the gun and missiles (below).
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 38+55 ( SN 72-1265) The second QRA aircraft 38+55 blows the chute after landing
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 38+57 ( SN 72-1267) F-4F 38+57 short after takeoff (above) smokes away in a right turn (below)
38+57 back home and heading for service
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 38+58 ( SN 72-1268) 38+58 taking off (above) and does one overflight before leaving (below)
38+58 has also landed safely.
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 38+64 ( SN 72-1274) 38+64 leaving the shelter (above) and holds for a few shoot from the countless cameras (below)
Flying display F-4F Phantom II 38+73 ( SN 72-1283) 38+73 is departing with full burners (above) and on the way back to the shelter after an hour (below)
Permanent display F-4F Phantom II 37+11 ( SN 72-1121) 37+11, the flyout aircraft from FTC (Flying Training Center F-4F) is now on permantend display in fron of the 711 Squadron.