Leck: Air Base
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
| Coordinates | N544736 E0085655 (WGS84) Google Maps |
| Elevation | 24 ft |
| Federal state | Schleswig-Holstein |
| Location indicator | EDNL |
Germany during the Cold War Map
The history of the Cold War airfields: Leck
During World War II
Use
Luftwaffe operational airfield (Einsatzhafen).
Situation
Leck Air Base in World War II on a US map from 1943
Source: McMaster University Library Digital Archive, Lizenz: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 CC BY-NC 2.5 CA
Overview
Relics of the former operational airfield northwest of Leck on a map from 1955 - The map shows the old runway system.
Source: AMS M841 GSGS 4414, Courtesy Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
During the Cold War
Use
German Air Force base, home of Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 (AG 52).
In the 1960s
Situation
Airspace around Leck airfield in 1963
Source: DoD
Airspace and procedures
NDB Approach 1966
Source: DoD
Images
The following pictures from the 1960s are coutesy of Kurt. Thank you very much!
Aircraft
Tail of a Republic RF-84F Thunderflash with the wing crest of German Reconnaissance Wing 52 (Aufklärungsgeschwader 52) - Before, this airplane with serial number 51-17006 belonged to the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the US Air Force.
Source: Kurt
Republic RF-84F Thunderflash of the German Air Force in the maintenance hangar, probably at Leck
Source: Kurt
German Air Force RF-84F Thunderflash in front of a hangar, presumably Leck
Source: Kurt
Reonnaissance aircraft RF-84F in Winter, probably at Leck Air Base, Germany. In the foreground EB+103.
Source: Kurt
VIP aircraft C-140A Jetstar CA+101 of government flight (Flugbereitschaft BMVg) on visit, presumably at Leck.
Source: Kurt
C-140A Jetstar CA+101 during refueling
Source: Kurt
Overflight of a Nord 2501 Noratlas of the Luftwaffe, probably taken at Leck Air Base.
Source: Kurt
F-104 Starfighter in maintenance hangar, probably at Leck. - The tactical number has an A as the second letter. Therefore this airplane must not have belonged to the Reconnaissance Wing 52 (AG 52), because otherwise it would have to have a B.
Source: Kurt
Aircraft F-104 Starfighter in winter, presumably at Leck Air Base. - The plane has a tactical number starting with DA. It should belong to Fighter Bomber Wing 31 (JaboG 31).
Source: Kurt
F-104 Starfighter
Source: Kurt
F-104 Starfighter
Source: Kurt
"Leck GCA" approach control
Outside view, presumably Leck Air Base. - On the left there are two "Quad Radar" systems, mainly used as Precision Approach Radar (PAR). On the right is the Aerodrome Surveillance Radar (ASR).
Source: Kurt
View from the window to the two "Quad Radar"
Source: Kurt
View into the approach control room - From left to right: Precision approach radar (PAR, final) workstation, aerodrome surveillance radar (ASR, search) workstation, coordinator workstation, second PAR workstation and second ASR workstation (further right, not shown in the picture)
Source: Kurt
Workstation precision approach radar (PAR, final)
Source: Kurt
List of alternate aerodromes - RNWY: Runway; NDB: frequency of non-directional beacon; GCA: radio frequencies for radar approach, search and final; TWR: radio frequency control tower, heading/distance: direction and distance from Leck Air Base
Source: Kurt
PAR screen - The split radar image is slightly visible on the screen. With a pen the distances 3 and 6 nautical miles were marked on the glass.
Source: Kurt
Keys for communication with the control tower?
Source: Kurt
Workstation surveillance radar (ASR, search)
Source: Kurt
Radio station and direction finder?
Source: Kurt
Radar display - Left: Schärfe, Helligkeit; below Beleuchtungsregeler: Karte, Ortungszeiger, ...skala, Pult.
Top center: ..., Normal, MTI, Nordung, ...
Right: Hochspannung, ... Dämpfung; below: Zentrierung O-W Richtung, N-S Richtung; Dezentrierung-Zentrierung; below: Messbereich Umschalter 20 NM; Beleuchtungsregler Messbereich; bottom: MTI Anzeigebereich; ... Entfernungs...;
Bottom center: Festziel-..., MTI Video, Normal Video, Karten Video, MTI Einblendung, Normal ZF-Verst.
Source: Kurt
Coordinator's workstation
Source: Kurt
Telephone switchboard - TWR: control tower; Eider: approach control Eider Control in Husum; GCI = air defence command post; AIS : aeronautical information centre; W-OP: wing ops? EDCG: Eggebek Air Base; ... WX: Weather
Source: Kurt
Leck GCA at work - Leck GCA at work
Source: Kurt
Runway in use is 30
Source: Kurt
Board with weather conditions - 22 = 10 p.m.? = night flying? Colour State Blue; SN = snow? (and still Blue and 8 km visibility?); alternative airfields are Schleswig and Jever.
Source: Kurt
In the 1970s
Situation
Leck air base on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1972
Source: DoD
1980s
Overview
Leck in 1984 - What is the purpose of the two (paved?) touchdown zones next to the runway?
Source: DoD
Runways
- 12/30: 2440 m x 30 m Concrete
Radio beacons
- TACAN: CH 28 "LCK", at field
Images
Pictures from exercise Reforger-Crested Cap I on August 08th, 1982 (Source: DoD, Photographer: TSGT Ken Hammond)
Aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II in Leck
Source: DoD
US Air Force (USAF) A-10 Thunderbolt II in Leck
Source: DoD
Dornier Do-28 of Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 Leck
Source: DoD
Today
Use
Closed.
Videos
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMM_WAYQ87o - PHANTOM F-4F / RF-4E "Elefantenjahre" Fliegerfilm
Bibliography
- Ries, Karl; Dierich, Wolfgang: "Fliegerhorste und Einsatzhäfen der Luftwaffe" Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart, 1993 - Alliierte Planskizze
Airfields in the vicinity
- 126°/32km Eggebek: Air Base (Langstedt)
- 158°/33km Husum: Schwesing Air Base
- 120°/37km Bollingstedt: Highway Strip (Notlandeplatz NLP)
Categories
Military Airfields GermanyMilitary Airfields in former West GermanyGerman Air Force Air BasesRecommended
Image credits are shown on the respective target page, click on the preview to open it.
Follow mil-airfields on Facebook