Hi all,
being a civil spotter, I decided to go to Wittmundhafen on friday 21-08-2009. Why? Phantoms! That's why!
Arriving on the scene around 7:40LT with my dad (from whom I "inherited" my love for anything Phantom) we were well in time to install ourselves on the embankment at the beginning of runway 26.
At around 8:00LT 37+03 (Richthofen c/s), 37+81, 37+93 and 38+46 went out together.
With everybody in the neighbourhood now awake it was not long before 37+92 went out alone. The crew was however overtaken both on the left and the right by scrambling 37+84 and 38+37.
While the last Phantom to come back, 37+92, entertained us with practising approaches, the Swiss got ready to take to the air. J-5005, J-5010, J-5014, J-5026 (flying saucer marking), J-5232 and J-5238 departed at 9:45LT.
With no Phantoms in the air and the Swiss just away, we thought it was a good time to make a quick dash back to the car to get something to eat and drink...which caused us to miss an overshooting Tornado... 43+...and then it was gone...
Several minutes later another (or the same) Tornado overshot the runway, 43+42.
The Hornets started to return at 10:45LT. 5 minutes later 37+84 and 38+37 came out of the QRA shelters again. 38+37 was now the first one in the sky, 37+84 remained on the ground for another 15 minutes. With the base turning quiet again, we were entertained by two Tornado's flying high from south to north. We saw them making some twists and turns before diving towards something north of Wittmundhafen.
At 11:35LT the QRA Spooks returned. A-4 N262WL started the last wave of the day at 11:50LT. It was followed by 37+93 and 38+46. J-5004, J-5005, J-5014, J-5026, J-5232 and J-5238 then departed. Cessna D-EOSO crossed over the base (which was great for a civil spotter like me off course, lol). 37+03 and 37+92 then took off, at which time the first planes started to come back. The last Phantom touched down at 13:35LT with the Hornets already covered with engine and horizontal stabilizer covers. After a phantastic morning it was time to move to Bremen for us.
Flying:
A-4 N262WL
F-4’s 37+03, 37+81, 37+84, 37+92, 37+93, 38+37, 38+46
F-18’s J-5004, J-5005, J-5010, J-5014, J-5026, J-5232, J-5238
On base outside/tow:
A-4 N434FS
F-4’s 37+96, 38+57, 38+69
Another A-4 and several F-4’s were seen, but not read.
Visitor:
Tornado 43+42
Greets, Maikel