Wittmund - Home of the Phantoms 21042009

[zapata742]

Hi gents,

this week we have been to Wittmund again, to visit some friends within the JG 71"R" and my main focus was to capture the 38+42, which has some special
markings on the tail and even the external fuel tanks, after this jet succesfully completed the 350. DI - Depotinstandsetzung @ Jever within the LwInstgGrp 21.

That means that every 72 months or when the a/c will reach 1200 flight hours a so called "Depot Instandsetzung / depot repair" they need more as 17.000 hours of maintenance or 11 months to bring back the F-4 in a almost brandnew condition......
And this was the reason why 38+42 received after the roll-out in March 2009 these special markings.

Luckily on the day I have been on base 4 rounds were flown with almost 30 Phantoms flying the whole day, beside the A-4´s - so it was a succesfull day
As I have been never witness myself nightflight @ Wittmund, I was lucky, as on 2100 local 6 mighty Phantoms flew a late mission - man what a show!!
Next month a dozen F-4 will fly across the Atlantic to participate in Cold Lake during "Maple Flag" and then the airbase will be closed for maintenance work, and the QRA and the rest of the jets will be deployed to Jever......
And then finally in June we will see there brandnew special colored F-4 Phantom during the 50 years anniv. celebrations and the Spottersday too

Ok enough for now, let tell the picturs the rest of the story...... hope you enjoy them, and C & C are more as welcome

Cheers
Mick

Welcome to JG 71 "Richthofen"



Detail of 38+42





38+42 shortly before the crew is arriving in the shelter



38+42 taxiing out for the second mission on that day...



Lights are red, its time to rock.....



4-ship ready to play @ 0800 local.....



Smoke on.....



Burners and go....



Early morning shot : F-4 vs Airliner



38+42 on the go....



Luftwaffendiesel - you know why its so called ....



Soon on display in Aurich......in the barracks



Last-chance , the place to be in Wittmund....



Even the Skyhawks came out to play....





Nice guest from Manching on TDY here - WTD 61 Flight Test



Flight test on the go... note the Sensorpod



Now back to final.....



Smoky tires Rwy 08



close-up Flight Test F-4

[Pony02]

Nice pis, always great to see some shots from ETNT and their Rhino´s! When will the 12 acft leave for Cold Lake, b´cause I am planning to have a look at Wittmund as well in the beginning of May?

[Zdun]

Great photos Mick!

[Dummy]

WOW, some very impressive shots you have there.
Thanks for sharing

[Kleintje Pils]

Nice opportunity to shoot some of the oldies! I think with some better editing (you use a 1DmkIII so the basics should be good) you can get more out of it!

[zapata742]

@all

Thanks for all your comments, and it was indeed a great day, and what can be more exciting as to listen the whole day to J-79´s close to the runway
Here are some more goodies from my visit, hope you still enjoy them

Since yesterday 37+03 arrived in Wittmund with the brandnew special c/s, you guys will like it...... so be aware another splendid mighty Phantom is in Wittmund...

Cheers
Mick

Last-chance with smoky Phantoms



GAF F-4F #1 in action.... 36 years of F-4F, but still going strong



QRA on final, note also the two AIM-9 too.......



Wittmund newest BDR F-4......



One of two Tornado IDS of JBG 33 for DACT sorties above the northsea is seen here.....



350 DI jet on the go....



F-4 maintenance in progress



WTD 61 jet on the flightline



Then it was time for some sunset shots, when another 6 Phantoms flew a late round @ 2100 local....



My personal highlight on that day...departing Phantoms with a great burner....



Another mighty Phantom blasts away.... what a sight and sound



Luckily the main target of the day flew also a late mission......