20130508_"71 Lucky Spotters"

Photo courtesy of Jens Hameister.

The start of the "71 Lucky Spotters' day". Intro by Uwe & Olaf from JG71. Thanks for hosting us in such a friendly way!!

Wittmund Tower, during the grey & misty morning...

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here departing with full A/B, under adverse weather conditions, for a photoflight with 37+01 (in her new c/s for celebrating 40 years of F-4F Phantom II in the German Air Force).

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here departing with full A/B, under adverse weather conditions, for a photoflight with 37+01 (in her new c/s for celebrating 40 years of F-4F Phantom II in the German Air Force).

GAF_F-4F_JG71_38-10_cn4635_ETNT_20130508_IMG_39590_WVB_1200px

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) is seen here departing Wittmund with full A/B, under adverse weather conditions, for a photoflight with 37+01 (in her new c/s for celebrating 40 years of F-4F Phantom II in the German Air Force) and 38+10 (in retro c/s).

This BAE Systems Flight Systems A-4N Skyhawk (N432FS, cn14462, ex-USN 159542) is seen landing on Wittmund's runway26, after another mission in support of JG71 during the - very foggy - morning of the "71 Lucky Spotters' day" for celebrating "40 years of Phantom operations in the German Air Force".

This BAE Systems Flight Systems A-4N Skyhawk (N432FS, cn14462, ex-USN 159542) is seen slowing down - with airbrakes extended and spoilers wide open - at runway26, after another mission in support of JG71 at Wittmundhafen during the - very foggy - morning of the "71 Lucky Spotters' day" for celebrating "40 years of Phantom operations in the German Air Force".

This BAE Systems Flight Systems A-4N Skyhawk (N432FS, cn14462, ex-USN 159542) is seen returning to its hangar after another mission in support of JG71 at Wittmund during the - very foggy - morning of the "71 Lucky Spotters' day" for celebrating "40 years of Phantom operations in the German Air Force".

The F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here in formation with 37+01 (in her new c/s for celebrating "40 years of F-4F Phantom II in the German Air Force") at the end of a photoflight over Wittmund.

The F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here in formation with 37+01 (in her new c/s for celebrating 40 years of F-4F Phantom II in the German Air Force) at the end of a photoflight over Wittmund. EF2000 (30+83) is flying close to the two Phantom's.

Wittmund Tower, during the grey & misty morning...Everybody is waiting for the celebration Phantom to arrive (and hoping that the sun would come out on time...)

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here slowing down after landing on Wittmund's RWY26, using the brake-chute, under adverse weather conditions.

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here slowing down after landing on Wittmund's RWY26, under adverse weather conditions.

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here slowing down after landing on Wittmund's RWY26, under adverse weather conditions.

This F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn 4635) in retro c/s (Norm 72) is seen here slowing down after landing on Wittmund's RWY26, using the brake-chute, under adverse weather conditions.

Smoky low-pass over the field.

JG71-Richthofen's celebration F-4F Phantom II (37+01) is seen here during a smoky low-pass over the field at Wittmund, after the photoflight, wearing her new special c/s for 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) landing at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, visible under the cockpit).

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) landing at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, visible under the cockpit).

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) landing at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, visible under the cockpit).

JG71-Richthofen's celebration F-4F Phantom II is seen here landing and using the brake-chute at Wittmund, after the photoflight. Special c/s for 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG71-Richthofen's celebration F-4F Phantom II is seen here during its landing at Wittmund, after the photoflight, wearing her special c/s for 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG71-Richthofen's celebration F-4F Phantom II is seen here landing and using the brake-chute at Wittmund, after the photoflight. Special c/s for 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, under the cockpit), undergoing post-flight checks.

Close-up of a German Air Force F-4F Phantom II (38+10) in retro c/s (norm 72).

Right-hand intake close-up of the German Air Force's celebration Phantom: 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations (also the badges of JG72, JG73 & JG74 are shown, above the "R" from JG71's "Richthofen".

German Air Force F-4F Phantom II (37+22, cn4401) in her most recent c/s of the last decade. End of June 2013, it will be all over for the mighty German F-4F Phantom II...

Having phun within a F-4F Phantom II (38+10) from the German Air Force... playing hide and seek ;-)

Having phun within a F-4F Phantom II (38+10) from the German Air Force... playing hide and seek ;-)

Tail close-up of JG71's celebration Phantom: "First in Last out" around the registration & Spooky stating "Ich melde mich ab" as special text on the colorful tail (40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force).

The proud "commodore" (Col. Gerhard Roubal) of JG71 in front of the celebration Phantom.

Nose close-up of JG71's celebration Phantom: 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG71's celebration Phantom, proudly posing for the camera in her blue & gold c/s to celebrate 40 years of F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG71's celebration Phantom, proudly posing for the camera, in her blue & gold c/s, to celebrate 40 years of F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

Face to face with JG71's celebration Phantom: 40 years F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, under the cockpit), undergoing its post-flight checks.

Training round (Guided Missile - IRIS-T) under the wing of EF-2000 Eurofighter.

JG74 Eurofighter (30+83, cn GS063) at Wittmund (with the Richthofen "R" inclusive, under the cockpit), after completion of its post-flight checks.

German Air Force F-4F Phantom II (38+33, cn4429) in "Norm 81" retro c/s, celebrating the final months of F-4F operations.

German Air Force F-4F Phantom II in "Norm 81" retro c/s celebrating the final months of F-4F operations.

A visting Tornado ECR (46+51, cn890/GS284/4351) from AG51 at Wittmund, during the "71 Lucky Spotters' day".

The number of active F-4F Phantom II's is reducing rapidly these days... 4 of them were present on the press-day, to show the celebration Phantom (40 years in service with the German Air Force) in her new c/s, together with 2 Phantom's in retro-c/s and this one (37+22, cn4401) in her most recent c/s of the last decade. End of June 2013, it will be all over for the mighty German F-4F Phantom II...

The Wittmund ramp during the "71 Lucky Spotters' day": 4 F-4F Phantom II's, the gathered press and some of the 71 lucky spotters...

JG71's celebration Phantom, proudly posing for the camera, in her blue & gold c/s, to celebrate 40 years of F-4F Phantom II operations within the German Air Force.

German Air Force F-4F Phantom II (37+22, cn4401) in her most recent c/s of the last decade. End of June 2013, it will be all over for the mighty German F-4F Phantom II...

German Air Force F-4F Phantom II (38+10, cn4635) in "Norm 72" retro c/s, celebrating the final months of F-4F operations.