FighterControl

Hi all anyone know when the Phantoms will retire? & anyone know of any viewing areas/info for this base please planning a trip out there before the Phantoms leave wouldn't mind seeing the Skyhawks too!
cheers Youth

I take it your taking about Wittmund Germany? If so the Luftwaffe plan to retire their remaining Phantoms next year 2012 maybe sooner. I know most of the airframes are fast approaching their end of flight hours to a point that their annual trip to Deci isn't happening this year to try and conserve hours.

As for viewing I've seen several photographic posts on here and other forums taken from the fence line and there doesn't appear to be any problems with the local police civil or mil. I think you have access to one side of the runway for most of it's length via a farmers track, and as long as you don't hang out right next to the fence you are ok.

Good idea to ask over on Scramble.nl

Thank you thunder yes sorry fotgot to say I was asking about wittmund!

Aaaahh....Wittmund, what happy memories I have of that place - I was following a double-decker school-bus on my way to the end of the runway and when the little darlings saw my British registration number they took great delight in chucking empty Coke cans at me out of the rear emergency-exit.

Can't remember much about the base itself but found a spot on the approach very near to the end of the runway, logged about 16 Phantoms and a couple of visiting MFG1 Tonkas in a couple of hours - I was happy with that. No-one bothered me at all when I was parked.

that was very good of the little ha ha never been there but feel I should make the effort before the Phantoms retire yes I know left it bit late ha ha

hi youth ive just been to wittmund with my son had avisit by german air force as i parked my car in a field at the end of runway after explaining that we just wanted to take afew pics of phantoms and skyhawks i was told to move car to the end of field by road and was told that we could walk up to fence at the end of the runway we stayed for 4 hours till they stopped flying got 1 skyhawk flying and 2 more on base plus 10 phantoms flying circuit plus a few more viewed on base had no problems with us takeing pics at fence all though there is an old sign that seems to say no photos ha ha my advice is park at end of field and walk to fence you shouldnt have any problems so my friend go and get them smokey fantastic phantoms and enjoy yourself we most certainly did hope thats helped you

Also runway is or due to close anytime now for repairs and wont be used until mid to late August.
JG71 relocating to Jever for the time being.

Thanks very much all your info guys

Hi,on 29th of June in 2013,its a Saturday, there will be an official flyout at Wittmundhafen :-( For the time beeing there are still 24 F4´s on base and QRA duty is still done.At this time NATO QRA in SIAULIAI (ZOKNIAI) Lithuania is still done by FW71 aswell as from beginning of March the NATO QRA in ICELAND.If you need more info about the german airforce feel free to contact me ;-)

Thanks very much for your info

Hope to get most of them in April then! How many are off to Iceland, is it 4 or 6 (or something else)?!

When you say flyout, does that suggest the aircraft are relocating to a different base or will that be their retirement ceremony?

Thanks!

I would suggest that the flyout will be to nearby Jever, where the F4s will be scrapped!
Cheers, Stig.

There is a spottersday in June which will be the last fling i gather see Scramble

29th June 2013 could be an interesting day then,think I may have to make a trip over for that!

Ross