Last Thursday, 24 July, I visited Wittmund. It was my very first visit ever to this base, and it was triggered by the news that the fence was being repositioned. According to the stories from other photographers many good photo opportunities are bound to disappear when the new fence is in place, and it's only a matter of days before construcion works are completed.
As I like to shoot as wide a variety as possible, I visited various locations along the fence. For lift-off and dragchute shots I chose position opposite the mid runway intersection (right P in photo). Line-up shots were taken from in between the two main runway entrances (where the light blue line meets the fence), while landing shots were made from where the "Am Flugplatz" road meets the fence (second P from the left).
Knowing that the Germans don't like to waste time, I decided to get to Wittmund early. At 08.06 hrs JG71 had launched seven Phantoms, so my arrival at 07.45 hrs was just in time to catch all. At 11.30 hrs a second wave of about eight aircraft were launched, while around 14.30 hrs another nine F-4's took to the skies. Flight system sent out a single Skyhawk in the first and second wave, while in the third wave a grey and white pair took off. The only visiting aircraft observed was a CH-53G.
Wittmund's runway is 08-26, so it's almost exactly east-west. This means that you should be able to find a decent angle for photography almost all day long. The distance from the old fence to the centerline of the runway is roughly 120 meters, which is considered to be very close compared to many other airbases in western europe. Between 200 - 300 mm should be enough for a straight-from-the-side shot with an old fashioned slide film camera, while most current digital cameras would require only 135 - 200 mm for a similar result.
Below you can find a selection of my photographic results. I hope you like them.
Best regards,
Iwan Bögels
Take off around 11.30 hrs is perfect for this afterburner shot.
Taxi out from the shelterarea, near the middle of the airbase.
Landing at 09.00 hrs. Light is great, especially over the reflecting light grey concrete runway
Arriving for lunch. You just neet to hold your shot for the perfect background.
The first take off of the day. This colorful Phantom flew in every wave that day.
08.00 hrs departure, flying almost straight into the sun.
At lest three different white Skyhawks were observed, plus this single grey A-4.
Early morning vortex over the wing. This shot was taken nearly straight into the sun.
Close to 16.00 hrs, the sun is coming very much from behind the aircraft
!
/jasdf.gif)
