Base visits

In the weekend of the 24th of September 1966 four Super Sabres of the 48th TFW, USAFE from Lakenheath, U.K. visited Eindhoven ; a few Eindhoven-spotters (Hans was one of them) managed to make direct contact with the American pilots and got permission to enter the base with them and to take some pictures of their aircraft ; unfortunately however the weather was not quite so good and the simple cameras used at the time could not compensate this , but nevertheless it still remains a nice report out of the early days of aircraft-spotting.

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Fliegerhorst Jever in Northern Germany hosted the 7th NATO Tactical Weapons Meet , which was an exercise between 2 & 4 ATAF (Allied Tactical Air Force). Hans visited the Meet from 17 to 19 June 1968 (special thanks to Mr. F.Spangenberg)

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The 1969 TWM (Tactical Weapons Meet) was held at Nörvenich in Germany and Frank was there to take pictures . Participants to the Meet came from 311/312 squadron(K.Lu.), 10W (BAF), 11 Escadre (FAF), 53 TFS/36 TFW and 20TFW (USAFE), 1AD (RCAF), JABOG 33 + LeKG43/44(Luftwaffe) and 3 sq. (RAF). Referees were flying German TF-104Gs.

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In June 1970 Eindhoven saw a flock of Swedish Saab 105s coming in; a group of registered spotters (including of course Frank and Hans) were permitted to take a closer look. The Saabs were accompagnied by a Dakota and a Hercules and made an overnight stop on their route to the Paris Salon.

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In 1970 the annual NATO recce exercise "Royal Flush" was organized at the Dutch airbase of Deelen (now closed); participants were : USAFE (26TRW and 10TRW) , BAF (42 sq.), CAF (1 CAG) , R.Dan.AF (729 Esk) , FAF (ER 33) , Luftwaffe (AKG51) , RAF (31 sq.) and R.Neth.AF/K.Lu. (306 sq.) ; both Frank and Hans paid a visit and took some pictures.

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Frank and Hans went aboard the French aircraft carriers Foch and Clemenceau on May 17th and June 7th respectively to take some pictures when these ships visited Rotterdam Harbour for a few days.

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A special celebration was organized by 314 squadron at Eindhoven AB on December 21st , 1970 to bid fare-well to the Dutch Thunderstreak and say hello to the Northrop NF-5. There were three surprises : parts of a Dutch F-84F were symbolically burnt and from the ashes arose an NF-5. Secondly there was the taxy-by of an F-84F painted up in gaudy "flower-power" colours and last but not least the last official flight of a Dutch F-84F. Hans was present as one of the photographers. (special thanks to Mr.R. Martaré for making this visit possible!)

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On July 29th , 1971 Frank and Hans visited the German Fliegerhorst Rheine-Hopsten to make a report for Flash Aviation Magazine. In this gallery you will find a number of pictures they took of the resident F-104 Starfighters of JABOG 36 & the Lockheed T-33's of the Base Flight (+ 1 Piaggio!)

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In July 1972 Frank and Hans were invited to visit the NATO Helicopter Meet that was organized at Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, in Britain. Here are some impressions.

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In 1972, Hans and Frank were allowed to visit the AIRSOUTH Weapons Meet.

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In 1972 Hans and Frank visited the 15th Wing of the BAF at Brussels Melsbroek Airport.

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In the old days NATO organized several exercises; TWM (Tactical Weapons Meet) was a competition between 2ATAF and 4ATAF (Allied Tactical Air Force). Participants were CAF, BAF, FAF,WGAF, KLu, RAF and USAFE. Frank and Hans visited the Meet on September 21st and 22nd, 1972 while it was being held at Florennes in Belgium.

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A base visit to Leeuwarden, when the Phantoms of Soesterberg happened to be there because of runway repairs at their home-base. Frank took the pictures in this gallery.

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On April 24th, 1973 a Spotter's Day was held at Eindhoven Air Base to photograph the resident Northrop-Canadair NF-5A/B fighter jets of 314 squadron , K.Lu. Frank and Hans were present.

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Florennes Air Base hosted the 17th Royal Flush aerial reconnaissance competition from 13 to 21 June 1973. Hans and Frank visited the exercise on June 14th, 1973. A number of nice action-shots could be made on that occasion.

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On July 17th, 1973 Hans and Frank visited the AIRSOUTH Fighters Weapons Meet BEST HIT, which was held at Istrana AB in Italy.

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In May 1973 322 squadron had a rotation with 724 Esk of the RDanishAF, equipped with Hunters; there were 4 Hunters visiting Leeuwarden and Frank was there to take some pictures

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in June 1973 there was a squadron rotation of 323 sq with Lightnings of no 29 sqn RAF, based at Wattisham; Frank visited Leeuwarden AB for this event on 19 June.

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From 28 -30 May 1974 Frank and Hans were invited to attend the 11th NATO Tactical Weapons Meet , organized at Canadian Forces Base Baden-Söllingen in Germany; they also joined in for a flight to the Suippes-Gunnery Range in Northern France in a Bell-helicopter of the Luftwaffe.

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On March 5th , 1975 Hans and Frank visited Twenthe AB ; their photo-report gives a nice impression of a normal day's flying activities at this former KLu -base during the early NF-5 period ; but don't forget the F-86K on its pole!

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In August 1976 Hans had the unique opportunity to pay a two-day visit to the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ during her first deployment to the Mediterranean. He made the flight to the carrier in Grumman Greyhound 148148 (no photos available) and the return flight in Sea Knight 151934.(special thanks to Mr. J.Hogetoorn)

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For a one-day excursion Hans made a flight in Fokker F-28 PH-MAT from Schiphol to Hahn Air Base in Germany on September 18th , 1978 . This base was the home of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing , USAFE , equipped with F-4E Phantoms. The base was closed in 1993 and it is now called Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. A small impression of the day's visit goes hereby. (special thanks to KNVOL for organizing this trip)

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November 16 ,1979. Extreme cold weather and dark clouds prevented the 25th anniversary of the American presence in Holland to be an enjoyable outdoor event. A small static display and an air display marked this historic milestone. A selective audience had been invited to attend this event at Camp New Amsterdam. Highlight of the static display was an ex-Portuguese AF Sabre. Applied with green stripes over the tail the aircraft had quickly been repainted in colours of 32nd FDS. The paint was still wet and USAF roundels were made of paper and sticked to the fuselage. Frank was one of the few invited guests.

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In Januari 1996 a group of registered Eindhoven spotters was invited to visit Eindhoven AB, to take pictures of the resident 334 squadron aircraft. Frank made following impression.

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The annual NATO Tiger Meet exercise was in 2009 at Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium. Frank and Hans attended the "Spotters Day" on 18 September.

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