A 50th anniversary is always something special, and when a flight test centre is celebrating it you have the right ingredients for a lot of surprises. Exactly that was the case at Manching near Ingolstadt in southern Germany when the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 (WTD61) opened its doors on September 15th, 2007.
Where? Manching (ETSI) When? 15/09/2007
The WTD61 was founded on October, 1st 1957 in Oberpfaffenhofen and has been given the task to examine and evaluate everything that was due to fly within the Luftwaffe. But by that time it was still called "Erprobungsstelle" ("E-Stelle", or "Test Centre"), which was still the case when it moved to its current location in 165/66. In 1987 it changed its name from "Erprobungsstelle 61" to "Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Luftfahrzeuge des Bundeswehr" (WTD 61) and by doing so also got the recognition of the widespread field of activities in aircraft and system testing. It is today the main test and evaluation unit for flying systems in the German armed forces.
To celebrate this anniversary a Tornado and a Phantom were painted in bright orange, similar to the test equipment that is installed in the aircraft. Furthermore aerodynamic and flight mechanic formulas were written all over the aircraft together with the German national colours and the WTD61 emblem. Additionally the F-4 has got 'Spooky' on the bottom side, the Tornado carrying an emblem with a Tornado saying "Tornado Flight Test".
Wings over Houston 2018 was headlined by the US Navy Blue Angels display team. With a big concentration of Commemorative Air Force (CAF) warbirds all around the oil-rich state of Texas the line-up of WW II airplanes was also strong. The most impressive airshow act…Read More
Nine Balkenkreuze and three silhouettes of the Fieseler Fi 103, aka „Vergeltungswaffe 1 (V1)“ as kill markings depict this Spitfire Mk.XVI as the personal plane of Otto Smik. Smik was one of the most successfully Czechoslovakian pilots in service of the RAF during WW II.…Read More
Ten (R)F-4EJ Phantoms lined up in front of the crowd was a sight to behold! The Hyakuri Airshow 2018 was the last ever opportunity to see such a large number of mighty Phantoms in action as JASDF Phantom operations will dwindle down rapidly in the…Read More
It’s free, it’s fun, and it is a day packed with a nearly 12 hour long lasting flying display. The Bucharest International Air Show (BIAS 2018) is the largest air show in Romania and took place on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Bucharest International Airport…Read More
In combination with the 65th anniversary of the "Group de Chasse" GC 01/030 "Alsace" a Open Doors Day (Journée Portes Ouvertes or JPO) was organized at the Base Aérienne BA 132 Colmar Meyenheim on Sunday,…Read More
Though many aircraft of the "The Fighter Collection" (TFC) were grounded this year, the Flying Legends Airshow 2009 offered many stunning views and was rated by many amongst the best events ever that Duxford airfield…Read More
The Czech International Air Fest (CIAF) usually marks each year the end of my personal airshow season, the CIAF 2006 being no exception for that. After a personal calm and not always photographically successful 2006…Read More
Though the airshow season is not over yet, the event at La Ferté-Alais can surely be rated amongst the top shows of the year. This is not only due to perfect weather, but also due…Read More
Where? Manching (ETSI)
The WTD61 was founded on October, 1st 1957 in Oberpfaffenhofen and has been given the task to examine and evaluate everything that was due to fly within the Luftwaffe. But by that time it was still called "Erprobungsstelle" ("E-Stelle", or "Test Centre"), which was still the case when it moved to its current location in 165/66. In 1987 it changed its name from "Erprobungsstelle 61" to "Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Luftfahrzeuge des Bundeswehr" (WTD 61) and by doing so also got the recognition of the widespread field of activities in aircraft and system testing. It is today the main test and evaluation unit for flying systems in the German armed forces.
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
