Spotters-Day Rheine 2003

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Europe & Cold War Database
Spotters-Day Rheine 2003
By Stefan Kuhn
Dec 2, 2003, 16:18

On 23rd October 2003 the "Fluglehrzentrum F-4" ("Flight-Training Centre F-4) of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) opened its doors for a "Spotters-Day".

Apart from training F-4F-pilots that return from their basic training in the USA how to fly and fight with the F-4 in European weather conditions, the Fluglehrzentrum F-4 also acts as the central place where the older, non-modified, Luftwaffe F-4Fs are scrapped.

All the German F-4Fs are slanted to be replaced by the Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon by 2012, but even if the Eurofighter is not entering service yet, an increasing number of "black-nose", non-modified airframes still equipped with the old APQ-120 radar, became redundant and are now in the process of being scrapped.

The redundant airframes are arriving in Rheine AB from all German F-4 units. Upon arrival all liquids (fuel, oil, etc.) are removed from the airframe, which is then towed into a hangar where technicians remove all parts that can still be usefull. All useable parts - including the engine, instruments, service pannels, landing gear, gun difuser and the gun, as well as many minor parts - are sent back to the main F-4-spares storage depot and are then used to keep the remaining Luftwaffe's F-4Fs flying until 2012.

After the removal of all parts the preparation for scrapping is finished the airframe is towed outside to the scrap area, where it is cut. The remnants of the airframe are then sold as "scrap metal" to local civilian firms.

Thif former mount of the JG-74 Mölders just arrived at Rheine AB in order to be scrapped. (All photographs by Stefan Kuhn)

This plane had served with the Phantom training unit in the USA before returning to Germany to be scrapped, as can be seen by the USAF style camouflage.

That is what reamins of an F-4F when it is about to be disposed off.

But, this open day did not only concentrate on scrapping of the F-4F: a much more interesting part was focused on the current F-4 operations at the base. Especially interesting was the static display of the two specially coloured F-4 currently in service with the Fluglehrzentrum F-4.

Above and bellow: two F-4s of the Fluglehrzentrum F-4 were shown on the static display.

Above and bellow: very interesting was the rare oportunity to take pictures of the cockpits of a full ICE F-4F. Many observers are surprised by the lack of any "special" difference to the cockpits of earlier versions.