FighterControl

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

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.

Lovely set, from before I was born!

sjoerd wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 27, 2024 3:21 pm

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

What was the movie?

Ghastly Whisper wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 27, 2024 4:38 pm

What was the movie?

Le Aquilla apparently.

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

Thanks, never heard of it!

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.

Fantastic.

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

Wonderful Arnold.

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

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.

Yet another stunning set, Arnold

Tooms and Hooters: it doesn’t get any better

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Another excellent post. More please!!!

Thanks for sharing these with us,


Roger

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

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

Wow! Fantastic, thanks for sharing.

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!)

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

Martin

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

Wonderful Pictures of two classics.