Wunstorf

1Dispersals & runway 02 am

From the crash gate at this spot, there is a good view onto the preserved Transall that has been towed to the southeasternmost dispersal to make way on the main apron for Air Defender 2023. A bit closer to the approach lights, anything landing on 02 will be perfectly in view and the same goes for departures from this runway. Bring steps to shoot over the fence and obviously, the gate itself should be kept clear. Parking for a short stop can be done in the verge and otherwise park opposite the animal care centre near the crossroads. The B442 out of Wunstorf town, described under 'Getting there', will lead you directly to these crossroads.

2Landings 02 pm

An alternative spot for photographers, should there be landing traffic on runway 02. To get here, park somewhere in Klein Heidorn and walk back to the position you like. For a hit-and-run, one of the farm road entries along the Frachtweg (K334) could be used, provided no-one has to pass.

3Opposite platform

From here, there is different view onto the large apron than from the next spot. There used to be a better (albeit more distant) one, at the end of the street Hauert, but that appears to have been fenced off. Here at the end of In der Ilschen, restrictions slowly increase as well but it is still an option to get some numbers. This is not a photo spot and apart from heat haze like at spot 4, the disadvantage here is that you see most rows of A400s side-on, making only the nearest ones readable. To get here from the previous spots, follow the signs to Fliegerhorst, turning right at the traffic lights into Klein Heidorn. Near the other end of the village, where the main road turns left, take a right into the street that braches off there.

4Threshold 08

With the main runway in use, this spot is one of the best for numbers all day and perfect for landings and departures on 08 most of the day, provided you bring steps to shoot the latter over the fence. Depending on runway use and the position of the sun, photographers may want to go the other side part of the day as well. Departures in the other direction can also be photographed and the same goes for most heavies arriving on 26, as they will exit at the end.

The angle towards parked A400s on the apron is one of the better ones to ID them, but on the huge slab of concrete heat haze quickly becomes a problem, aggravated by the runway in the foreground. There are not many better places, unfortunately. This spot is literally just around the corner from the previous one. Take the local-traffic-only road along the fence that crosses the approach lights. Parking along it is accepted as long as no agricultural traffic is hindered.

5Ju-52 Halle

Run by the Traditionsgemeinschaft Lufttransport Wunstorf, this museum holds - as the name says - a Junkers 52 inside plus several aircraft on display both in- and outdoors. It is easily reached via the Bundesstrasse 442 and there is ample room to park. The museum is open from April until the end of October and the outside exhibits can be seen and partly photographed independently from that.

6Holding runway 26

The northernmost of the three spots we list for the east side, this one is primarily an option to photograph aircraft taxiing to runway 26 in the morning. Like everywhere close to the runway at the fence, steps are needed to get above it. To just watch what goes on, there are even some benches at this spot. One of the most straightforward ways to get here is to drive to the village of Poggenhagen and there take the Alter Postweg to the spot. This starts opposite the Park + Ride lot, across the railway from the station. It is even an option to take the train to that station and walk the rest, which will take just 10 minutes. For alternative routes by car or bicycle, see the next spots.

7Runway 26 (general)

Simply following the fence from the previous spot makes clear there is a free choice of position here. Parking is always possible along the small road as long as no agricultural traffic or cyclists find their way blocked. Apart from starting at spot 6, this one can be reached via spot 8 or via the railway overpass just to the southeast. That farm road can be reached via Liethe, the village between Wunstorf-Blumenau and Poggenhagen along the Leinechaussee (K333). In the middle of Liethe, take the Kastanienallee northbound and then the Liether Schweiz towards the patch of forest. Turn left to cross the railway and you will see the runway.

8Runway 26 more distant

To get a more distant view on flying traffic, i.e. landings on 26 or departures from 08, position can be taken anywhere along the small road south of spot 7. There is however one option to get a better field of view with regard to the fence and somewhat sloping terrain, being the farm track that starts at the walled-off manure heap here. Park along the road leaving enough room for any traffic, and walk between the fields via the track to the position you like.

In addition to getting here via spot 7, there is a simple route starting at spot 1. Take the road called Stiefelholz along the animal care centre, running north along the fence. Turn right when a gate comes into view, then keep left and stay on the asphalt road. You will reach the spot after some 2 km from the cross roads at the Frachtweg.