Spectator’s (aviation enthusiasts in particular) opinions of the military displays were quite divided. While some were pleased to see an F-4F Phantom of the Luftwaffe return once again, others were not very happy about missing out on their favourite aircraft including the Sukhoi, RAC MiG, Saab, etc even though very few of the newer aircraft were actually seen in the air. In reality, we’ll be seeing Eurofighters, Gripen, F/A-18F and Co for the next 50 years, for many spectators it was definitely the last chance to see a Phantom performing in a flying display. There is nothing to say that air shows must only display the latest or newest aircraft. The appearance of a MiG or a Sukhoi would have been a wonderful sight, but if any complaints are to be made, they should be directed to the companies that attended and not the air show organizers. The organisers Messe Berlin GmbH had created a top-event, full of highlights rarely seen for example a four-ship formation of German Navy Tornadoes, not a common sight at all!

A well-known attendee of past European air shows is the Saab 105OE of the Austrian Air Division. The Austrian variant of this light training and ground-attack airplane is substantially more powerful than the Swedish basic model (General Electric J85-17B with each 12,68kN thrust in contrast to the original Volvo RM9B with 7,3kN thrust). Of the 40 machines built in total, 28 are still in active service with the Austrian Air Division. The One-O-Five is stationed at Linz/Hoersching AB (Flieger Regiment 3). The aircraft on display in Berlin still wears its attractive tiger paint scheme from 1995!
The Soko G-2A Galeb (Seagull) was the first Yugoslav produced jet airplane. The Galeb is used as a trainer/light ground attack aircraft within the Yugoslav Armed Forces, and was exported in small numbers to Libya and Zambia. Powered by a Rolls Royce Viper II turbojet producing approx. 11, 2 kN of thrust, this small aircraft achieves a maximum speed of just 800km/h. The display was flown by owner, Walter Eichhorn.

As previously mentioned, one of the highlights was definitely the four-ship formation flown by Navy Tornados. As MFG 2 (Naval Air Wing 2) is due to be disbanded next year this was probably their last appearance to the general public, a display of air-to-air refuelling by two Tornados was also demonstrated. Some of MFG 2’s aircraft are to be relocated to nearby Jagel AB, home of the AG 51 (Reconnaissance Squadron 51), which will play a larger role in taking over MFG 2`s mission. Amongst the many specially painted Tornados of the Luftwaffe, one Tornado of JaBoG 33/Buechel AB was truly outstanding. Unfortunately we didn’t get any pictures of this striking aircraft because of the terrible weather conditions on the Saturday, however we hope we can make up for this when this aircraft appears again . Before the show commenced a huge line-up of fire-engines and ambulance vehicles was shown on the runway, while a Bell UH-1D Rescue helicopter of the German Army also took part in this parade. No less than 352 of these helicopters were produced under licence by the Dornier Corporation for the German Army. This almost prehistoric relict is due to be replaced by the modern NH Industries NH-90 helicopter in the near future. The first production aircraft of this type was also on flying display at ILA 2004.

As well as the previously mentioned four-ship formation of Navy Tornados a solo display of the specially painted Tornado IDS of MFG 2 marked its farewell performance. Its special paint scheme was in commemoration of the Eggebek Air day 2003 held last year. While the surface was painted in the German national colours the underside of the Tornado was painted in the colours of the federal state Schleswig-Holstein, where the MFG´s home base is located. On the underside of the wings one can read 1958 – 2003, which highlights the 45th anniversary of the Naval Air Wing. A spectacular view was provided during landing of this Tornado by using full thrust reverse – this is a feature of only the Tornado and the Swedish Saab JA-37 Viggen and why these two aircraft don’t have any braking chutes. It belongs at an airshow like salt in soup – of course we are talking about the British Vertical Take-off-and -Landing aircraft the Bae Harrier. The Harriers display was flown by Flt.Lt. Margiotta from No. 20(R) Sqn/RAF Wittering. This Squadron acts as a training unit and has been responsible for Royal Air Force Harrier solo -displays for many years. The Gr.Mk.7 version demonstrated differs from older versions through the installation of FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) which together with helmet-mounted NVG (Night Vision Goggles), increases combat effectiveness especially at night and in low-visibility.

Delivery of the first production Eurocopter UHT Tiger to the German Army has already commenced. At ILA this Franco-German collaboration demonstrated its outstanding capability. Apart from Germany (80) and France (70 HAP + 10 HAC), Spain (24) and Australia (22) are to adopt this very modern Attack Helicopter. Tiger, as it has been officially named, is to be produced in three different versions: HAP = Ground Attack (F), HAC = Anti-Tank (F) and UHT = Support (whatever that means???) (D). Basically, these versions differ by their armament and sensor fit. The German version utilizes a mast-mounted sensor on the rotor head incorporating integrated infra-red sensors, TV-cameras and laser range finder. In the French version all sensors are mounted below the main rotor, almost directly above the rear canopy. The Tiger can be armed with a wide range of weapons, including: Euromissile HOT 3 AT rockets, PARS 3 LR, 68mm non-guided high-explosive air-to-ground rockets, Mistral as well as Stinger AAM`s, 30mm gun and 12.7mm machine gun pods. Pilot training takes place in Le Luc, France while technical personal and ground crew are trained at Fassberg Germany. Very soon the Division Luftbewegliche Operationen – DLO (Divison for Air-mobile Operations) is to be equipped with the UHT Tiger.

Only two remaining Fighter Squadrons are still equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom II being JG 71”Richthofen” based at Wittmund AB, and JG 74 “Moelders” based at Neuburg a.d. Donau AB. For more than 30 years the Phantom was the standard fighter/interceptor of the German Luftwaffe with a total of 175 F-4F and 88 RF-4E aircraft being delivered between 1970 and 1976. Apart from its main role as an interceptor the Phantom was also used in the reconnaissance and fighter/bomber role, which has since been taken over by the Tornado. The remaining RF-4E squadrons were disbanded between 1993 and 1994 and their aircraft were handed over to the NATO-Allies Turkey (32) and Greece (20).
Due to the ICE (Improved Combat Efficiency) update first initiated in 1983 then taking place between 1991 and 1995, the Phantoms, which had previously become a little too long in the tooth, have had their combat effectiveness dramatically increased through the installation of digital APG -65 Pulse-Doppler radar, Honeywell H-423 Laser/Gyro Inertial Navigation System (INS), digital data-bus MIL Std 1553R, Litton ALR-68(V)-2 radar-warning receiver and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. With this upgrade the Phantom will remain a potent weapon system at least until the introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon. However with days numbered for the Rhinos, not a very polite but nevertheless lovingly applied nickname, era in military aviation will finally come to an end and will be nostalgically remembered by many aviation enthusiasts. This is why the organizers of ILA are to be congratulated for making it possible for the huge crowd of aviation enthusiasts in attendance to see this mighty fighter in action once more.

The successor to the F-4F Phantom II, the Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon was also part of the flying programme. However, the public had to be content with the displayed production aircraft taking off and landing from the nearby base located at Laage. This base is also the home of JG 73 “Steinhoff” where conversion from the MiG-29G to the Eurofighter has only just begun with five of these aircraft stationed at Laage for evaluation purposes. All German Luftwaffe Squadrons will receive training on the new Typhoon (known only as Eurofighter or EF-2000 in German Luftwaffe service) at Laage while the Luftwaffe plans to purchase a total of 180 of these forth-generation fighter aircraft. Beside JG 73 (26 aircraft to be delivered until the end of 2005) JG 74, 71 and JaBoG 31 and 33 are to be equipped with the Typhoon, this process is not expected to be completed until at least 2012. Although on a sadder note, after this ILA the remaining Mig-29G aircraft based at Laage will be handed over to the Polish Air Force. Unfortunately the scheduled and highly anticipated final display of the German Fulcrum didn’t eventuate. Although it is hoped, that a Polish Air Force Fulcrum will show up at a future German aviation event – hopefully ILA 2006 (to be held 15-21 May)?

Robert Kysela, managing editor