Spottersday and Open day Wittmund 28/29 June 2013

[Hilco]

I saw 3 Do.27's on Friday, but I've only got 2 in my log, anyone for all three?

On Saturday there were only two on the static, 56+81 and 57+30, no sign of a third one. There was also a P.149 in between them (90+04), but I don't want to insult you by suggesting that was the third aircraft you saw..

Thanks for that LOL.

I 'm pretty sure I saw a third one parked near the Yak.52's. But then again, maybe it was moved to the static afterwards. We did do the shelter area inbetween sightings...

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Marcel, there is nothing wrong with your type recognition

57+30 was indeed parked near the Yak-52's, it moved later in the afternoon (around 16.00) to the static area.

regards, Hilco

[De Verrekieker]

The third one you thought you saw near the Yak's went to the static after refueling so only 2.

Greetz,

[r.e.hendriks]

I forgot these two....

30+31 EF2000(T) JBG 31 GAF arr.
31+00 EF2000 JBG 31 GAF arr. Spec. mks.


Best regards Rob.

[marcel32us]

The third one you thought you saw near the Yak's went to the static after refueling so only 2.

Greetz,

Thanks, mystery solved

[marcel32us]

Afterthought: Am I the only one that was a little dissapointed by the spottersday? In spite of all the effords that were truly appreciated, the result was not what I would have expected. In the registration confirmation it said clearly there would be flying going on during the spottersday, and I don't suppose the arrival of Spanish Hornets was meant by that.

In my opinion the general idea of a spottersday is that we, the enthousiasts, get to see something extra compared to the general public. In this case however, what was to be seen at the spottersday that couldn't be seen on the day ityself? Nothing from my point of view. The arrival of the participating planes happened mainly in the morning, so had nothing to do with the spottersday. The flying of Phantoms went on only at the open day itself.

People are gonna react to this post by saying I could have gone on the open day instead, but that's no valid argument for organising a spottersday. What's the point in organising something when the only argument that can be mentioned to a critic is: you could have stayed away....

Of course we all knew a few days before the event that was no flying during the spottersday, and if I had had a possibility to go on Saturday instead, I would have. But due to other obligations I couldn't. Last year with the spottersday at Wittmund I did make that decision, skipped the spottersday and went two weeks later on a regular operational day to see Phantoms fly. Now that was of course not an option anymore.

In the end I'm happy I went anyway, because I couldn't go on Saturday and now at least I've had my phix of Phantoms So again Thanks to the organisation for the efford, but please be clear about what's there to be seen from the beginning next time. (And I don't mean the planes that weren't there, the organisation coudn't help that, nor could they have stopped the rain)

BTW: to end this message positively, the positioning of the Phantoms in the shelter area was great!! Excellent backdrops for pictures and no fences in the way!!

[Gerard]

Marcel,
I think you mentioned the benefit of the spotterday, compared to what was offered to the general public, yourself:

the positioning of the Phantoms in the shelter area was great!! Excellent backdrops for pictures and no fences in the way!!

Gerard

[nilsko]

If I understand your post correctly: the only disappointment (next to the weather that is, but no one can be held accountable for that..) is the lack of flying? I can relate somewhat to that. That was one of the reasons my travelling party of four was reduced to two because they didn't want to sacrifice a valuable day-off from work only to witness some static stuff.

But as long as we don't know the reasons behind that choice, it's pretty hard to have some sort of judgement on that. Maybe they didn't want to use more flying-hours on airframes which are at the end of their lifespan anyway? Who knows.. It's military aviation... Very irrational and strange from our perspective from time to time..

The definiton of a spottersday is not set in stone for everyone/every airforce. I think the organization reasoned that giving a (relatively) small number of people the chance to photograph/spot without fences and "general" public was their reason to label it as spottersday.

On the other hand, I had plenty of opportunities to see Phantoms in my spotting career and even in better circumstances. Luckily German Phantoms were hardly rare visitors at airshows or exercises throughout (Northwestern) Europe. So although the weather sucked big time and there was no flying, I valued the chance I got to witness them one last time. The question is does "the last time" one sees an airplane in operational service always has to be in the "best" circumstances.. Food for thought..

[marcel32us]

You got that correct, my dissappointment was in the not flying, and my comment is about communicating about the non-flying so late.

For the rest I agree with you. Got loads of opportunities throughout the years to see (German) Phantoms fly in better circumstances. I'm very happy I went to Wittmund last year in June, great flying in great wheather. Would have been nice to have gotten one last chance at them at the Pharewell though.

As said, in the end it was my own decision not to stay at home last friday and I don't feel sorry I went, but if I had known the program from the beginning or even a little longer before the event, I would have gone on Saturday, or even an operational day a few weeks earlier.

[marcel32us]

I stand corrected (a little) since I hadn't noticed the fences around the Phantoms at pics from the open day. That was a little extra for us spotters....

[ebauer]

Are there any scannerlogs known from arrivals on the 28th of june?

I didn't took a scanner with me and I only heard this one myself from a 'neighbour'. Surprisingly this German fellow couldn't tell anything about the incoming traffic talking to Wittmund ATC ..

XX315/315 Hawk T1A 208(R)Sqn "RFR7114"

[miggie23]

Note:

Three special painted F4's will not be scrapped but preserved on the Wittmund Airforce base.

[Redskin]

Are you sure,

this is what was written on facebook yesterday by the spottersday organisation about preserving the last phantoms:

38+10: Geht als Gateguard nach Neuburg a.d.D.
der Rest geht nach Jever zur Verschrottung und Ersatzteilgewinnung

Die Flieger werden diese Woche nach Jever gebracht , wohl immer 2 pro Tag , Freitag die letzten.

So only one will be preserved, rest is planned to get scrapped.....

[Kleintje Pils]

Am I the only one who feels ashamed about our own Air Force (RNLAF)? With so many countries/units attending this farewell party I was surprised not seeing any Dutch participants. Bit arrogant I think seeing as the 37+01 did attend Volkel two weeks ago and don't forget the awesome fly by of a JG71 "R" Phantom at the Soesterberg farewell party late 2008...

[marcel32us]

I don't feel ashamed at all as I don't even know if the Dutch were invited, and even if they were, I don't know whether there were any perfectly reasonable arguments against attending. As a spotter and a photo amateur, Dutch attendance is the last thing I was hoping for, some sunny spells would have been nice though...

Adding to that: "so many countries"? I only saw 3...

[michel N]

A well, the Dutch were there en masse!