Soesterberg April 28th, 1971

[Keflavik69]

Tomorrow 53 years ago, the 28th of April 1971, Soesterberg had some interesting visitors in the shape of 3 Italian TF-104G's.
I also add some Phantoms from 2 ex Dagger squadrons 525TFS from Bitburg and the 496TFS from Hahn. During 1970 and 1971 Soesterberg played host to most of the USAFE squadrons for air-to-air gunnery over the Vliehors range. This was a result of the USAF no longer being welcome at Wheelus AB, Lybia. During a week a squadron would dispatch 5 F-4's to Soesterberg daily from where the mission was flown. Either the unit itself or the 32TFS from Soesterberg would fly the dart target. I will post other squadrons later when I find time to scan the negs.

Soesterberg 28 April 1971. TF-104G MM54229/20-5 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 28 April 1971. TF-104G MM54251/20-15 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 28 April 1971. TF-104G MM54252/20-16 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Either the crews were very unlucky with their gun or the mission was cancelled resulting in the target being brought back home.
Soesterberg 15 March 1971. F-4E 68-0444 CR 32TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

He lost his dart target
Soesterberg 13 July 1971. F-4E 68-0467/BU 525TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 5 May 1971. F-4E 68-0489/BU 525TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

He lost his dart target as well
Soesterberg 7 May 1971. F-4E 68-0490/BU 525TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 5 May 1971. F-4E 68-0498 BU 525TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 5 May 1971. F-4E 68-0508/BU 525TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 15 March 1971. F-4E 68-0507/HS 496TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 15 March 1971. F-4E 68-0514/HS 496TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 18 March 1971. F-4E 68-0515/HS 496TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 18 March 1971. F-4E 69-7550/HS 496TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

I hope you found these images of interest.

Regards,
Arnold

[sjoerd]

Great set there Arnold! Amazing to see those Starfighters and and must have been great in those days hearing all those J79's howling! MM54229/20-5 was sadly lost in 1988, killing both crew, whilst on a photography/filming mission for a certain movie.

[Ghastly Whisper]

Lovely set, from before I was born!

whilst on a photography/filming mission for a certain movie.

What was the movie?

[sjoerd]

What was the movie?

Le Aquilla apparently.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/46046
https://www.916-starfighter.de/F-104_AMI_serial_TF.htm

[Ghastly Whisper]

Thanks, never heard of it!

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold, another great selection of shots and memories, like others who view this site, I really appreciate you putting these up for our enjoyment.
Interesting to see F-4E 68-0444, that later ended up with the Hellenic AF and was one of the quartet which came to Yeovilton in June 1994 to participate in the D-Day 50th Anniversary flypast over Portsmouth.

[Pauld339]

Fantastic.

[Punkrunner62]

Once again Arnold, these are fantastic to see, such great quality scans, thank you again.
Cheers.

[herbert]

Wonderful Arnold.

[DanBeeden]

Great shots - I don’t think I’ve ever seen the tail code ‘BU’ before.

[daggerfan]

Lovely set of pictures there, Arnold, and from the good old days when the Italians had big codes and roundels! Thanks for posting.

Regards, Terry.

[paddyboy]

Yet another stunning set, Arnold

Tooms and Hooters: it doesn’t get any better

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Seacat192]

Another excellent post. More please!!!

Thanks for sharing these with us,


Roger

[Gordsmith]

Hi Arnold, ...what all the guys said!
Lovely set as always. Best regards, Gordon

[Weazel69]

MAGIC!! - Very Nice having been involved in that Era.
How thing's have changed since 1966 - When I started = Gull Gray/White - F4C's - RF4C's

[S-W-B]

Wow! Fantastic, thanks for sharing.

[Petepilot]

Hi Arnold - fantastic shots, yet again! F-104 and F-4 are my favs of all time, so to have both in the same post... Thanks for sharing (more please!)

[Ridge Runner]

Excellent, Arnold. You can never get tired of F-104 photos . Personally I love the TF-s

Martin

[Stratocruiser]

SPLENDIFEROUS!
An absolutely fabulous nostalgic post from a time when when 'Tooms' and 'Stars' were plentiful.
Brilliant, thanks for sharing more of your superb captures

[MR TERRY GREEN]

Wonderful Pictures of two classics.