Spangdahlem Easter Weekend. Growlers, Lightnings and Tankers

[Frank]

Hello all

We thought it would be a good idea to spend the easter weekend at Spangdahlem and we were not disappointed.

The F-35's and Growlers flew two missions a day, normally taking off between 08:00 and 10:00 in the morning, returning at between 14:00 and 15:00.

A second wave of two Growlers took off at Saturday and Sunday around 13:00 returning between 19:00 and 20:00.

And each day around 19:00 4 F-35's and KC-135 would take off. Here some impressions.

It sure was a happy easter!
Frank Noort


FN-2022-04-16-0838-Spangdahlem-FN5D1791-Edit by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-16-1846-Spangdahlem-FN5D2074 by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-17-1919-Spangdahlem-FN5D2368 by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-18-0945-Spangdahlem-FN5D2473-Edit by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-18-0810-Spangdahlem-FN5D2380-Edit by franknoort, on Flickr


FN-2022-04-18-1733-Spangdahlem-FN5D2595 by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-18-1733-Spangdahlem-FN5D2614 by franknoort, on Flickr


FN-2022-04-18-1835-Spangdahlem-FN5D2641 by franknoort, on Flickr

FN-2022-04-18-1844-Spangdahlem-FN5D2695 by franknoort, on Flickr

[marco70]

Hi frank,

From what position die you take the first picture. East or west side of the runway. Was the aircraft departing or landing

[marco70]

And the take-of shot of the growler. Were die you take that picture. I want to visit Tomorrowland. So Amy hel appreciated

[Key]

Small addition to marco's posts: great photos Frank, thanks a lot for sharing them here!

Erik

[Frank]

Marco. The CAG bird came in with an emergency half an hour after it took off. We quickly moved to the end of rwy 05 (you can also call it the beginning of rwy 23) and took it from there. 49°59'21.18" N 6°43'0.732" E

[Trabanti]

Very nice Frank, and thanks for sharing. Was there yesterday, the CAG bird is just smashing isn't it, but unfortunately we had easterly winds. Hopefully better luck next week.

Question: Do you need a stairs for the spot with runway view on the east-side? I remember the hill but not sure it's still there. Last time I was at that particular spot was during an A-7 deployment... oops. And I guess backlight from the 2nd half of the morning?

Kind regards, Bart

[wamovements]

Somehow I thought I missed some F-22 Raptors overthere Great pics Frank

[Frank]

Very nice Frank, and thanks for sharing. Was there yesterday, the CAG bird is just smashing isn't it, but unfortunately we had easterly winds. Hopefully better luck next week.

Question: Do you need a stairs for the spot with runway view on the east-side? I remember the hill but not sure it's still there. Last time I was at that particular spot was during an A-7 deployment... oops. And I guess backlight from the 2nd half of the morning?

Kind regards, Bart

Hi Bart. Yes, you do need stairs and big ones, at least 5 steps, preferable more to take landing shots at rwy23. At the end of the runway, facing the runway head on, there is a little hill where you can stand on to overlook the runway. That is where I took the shot of the Growler coming back.

And yes, in the morning is much better than in the afternoon. You can skip almost all spots between 14:00 until 18:00 as the sun will be dead on rwy 05. But things are improving again after 18:00!

[Krazy]

Great shots Frank,
Thanks for sharing them, and all the info on where you shot them!

[Argus 01]

Marco. The CAG bird came in with an emergency half an hour after it took off. We quickly moved to the end of rwy 05 (you can also call it the beginning of rwy 23) and took it from there. 49°59'21.18" N 6°43'0.732" E

The last time I was at Spangdahlem was 15 years ago. What is currently the best spot to park your car when walking towards the photo spot mentioned by the coordinates?
And when they are using RWY 05, is there a good photo spot? What I remember from the past is that they are flying too high for good shots on short final RWY 05.

[Trabanti]

05 is ok in the morning, especially when they turn in tight. The spot is still the same as 15 years ago (and also the nort side, so evening 05 landings).

For the eastside, park at the end of the Saalholzstraße, at the start of the public footpath. If you bring stairs, you can also (with some luck) do take off shots from 23 side on.

Like Frank said, generally the light is hopeless most of the afternoon, best time is early mornings and during golden hour. Cloudy days are not so bad here imho. I'll be there next week again and will only go a few hours in the morning and then back for the evening recoveries.

Good luck and enjoy!

Bart

[Argus 01]

05 is ok in the morning, especially when they turn in tight. The spot is still the same as 15 years ago (and also the nort side, so evening 05 landings).

For the eastside, park at the end of the Saalholzstraße, at the start of the public footpath. If you bring stairs, you can also (with some luck) do take off shots from 23 side on.

Like Frank said, generally the light is hopeless most of the afternoon, best time is early mornings and during golden hour. Cloudy days are not so bad here imho. I'll be there next week again and will only go a few hours in the morning and then back for the evening recoveries.

Good luck and enjoy!

Bart

Thanks a lot Bart! I will contact you via PM later today.