Bitburg Tiger Meet, June 29th, 1974

[Keflavik69]

Today 50 years ago I visited the open house at Bitburg AB where that year's Tiger Meet took place. It was an extremely wet event with dark skies so to make pictures of the aircraft was challenging. After having just returned from this year's Tiger Meet at Schleswig, I realised how much the participating units have changed over the years.

Bitburg 28 June 1974. F-104G 33643 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 28 June 1974. F-104G FX-72, FX-74 The Slivers fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 28 June 1974. F-104G FX-81 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 28 June 1974. F-104S MM6770/53-20 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 28 June 1974. SMB.2 90/12-YQ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. Al.2 OL-A70 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. Al.2 OL-A76 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. CF-104G 104808 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. Do-28D 58-30 LeKG43 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. F-4E 69-0241 BT/36TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. F-4E 69-7256/BT 36TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. F-104S MM6815/53-04 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. F-111E 68-037/UH 20TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. F-111E 68-056/UH 20TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. G-91 33-06 LeKG43 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. NF-5B K-4017 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. RF-4E 35-77 AKG52 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. RF-4E 35-85 AKG52 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. SMB.2 85/12-YF fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. SMB.2 90/12-YQ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 29 June 1974. TF-104G 22278 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

I hope you found these pictures of interest.
Kind regards,
Arnold

[anthony martin]

Starfighter heaven

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold, another great selection of shots. I never saw a Greek Starfighter, but have memories of the other types shown here. Never mind the weather, it's the quality that counts and there's some real gems here. I think everyone who views this selection, will have the same opinion, thanks once again, I always enjoy viewing your contributions.

[SpilsbyPete]

I second the comments from Mustang531

Everyone a Gem

[binbrook87]

Magnificent! A golden age of military aviation indeed. Thanks for sharing

[paddyboy]

Hi Arnold

Yet another awesome set

You even snuck in a gorgeous little Northrop

Thanks for putting them up

Paddyboy

[matt e]

Nice set especially the F104s

[warthog56]

Mustang 51 summed up the thoughts of many viewers of this post. "Stars" ruled supreme in those days and what a great selection here. But look at that weather! Can even see the rain bouncing off the ground in one of the Phantom shots! We were "mad" in our youth but, thankfully, record shots such as these bring back great memories. Thank you.

[mark pepper]

Awesome pictures considering the weather, thank you

[KeBul]

Lovely set Arnold, very nice indeed.

Thanks for sharing.

Kev

[Punkrunner62]

Absolutely fantastic once again Arnold, thank you so much.
Cheers.

[Stratocruiser]

Just like others, I echo the comments made by Mustang 51.
I always look forward to your posts as they transport me back to the late 60's when for me, aviation became a mania!
A feast of 'Tooms', 'Stars', those wonderful Heyford 'Swingers' and those almost forgotten like those lovely little Super Mysteres!
As always, a great pleasure to view and many thanks for a great post

[Petepilot]

Hi Arnold, no matter what the prevailing weather, I am always in awe of your work and constantly have to remind myself of the era of your posts. Another great post, you can almost feel yourself standing on those wet ramps, photographing fantastic (or should I say phantastic) airframes. Thanks for posting, and as always "more please"!

[capercaillie]

I think the codes on the Italians could be larger!

Terrible weather but when there are Greek starfighter and French Super Mysteres, what is not to love, and all without a tiger paint splash in sight!

[LimaHotel01]

Thank you for another wonderful collection of photos of aircraft types that I so enjoyed watching back in the day. I took never saw a Greek F-104 but all the others are happy memories. The weather doesn't matter when it comes to images like these of such charismatic types.

Thanks again and please keep posting.

[ridgmeister]

Another fantastic set and another trip down memory lane for me.
Thank you!
Paul

[Weazel69]

"TOP" Shot's there remembering how many years ago that was, non of your digital formatting
For someone whom started doing it in 1966, I can remember the basic 3 choice's - Slide's - Colour Print's - B/w Print's - and as for the Rain it's alway's about, it settle's the Dust

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks Arnold, another great selection of shots. I never saw a Greek Starfighter, but have memories of the other types shown here. Never mind the weather, it's the quality that counts and there's some real gems here. I think everyone who views this selection, will have the same opinion, thanks once again, I always enjoy viewing your contributions.

Absolutely! It is priceless stuff and I never tire of see it

PS: Greek F-104s? Araxos Sep82 under the approach, Tanagra HAI tour Sep82 and Athens 1980-1984

[3Greens]

Nothing more I can say Arnold - I'm with these guys on the subject matter and the quality of your shots ... only 50 years old
Don't know if you ever came over in the summer holidays to Binbrook but we always seemed to have regular visitors into BK from NL to catch up on their Lightnings. It was always great to hear of their visits round Europe... just like this one.

Thanks again for posting
Keith (3Greens )