1/72 Raf Wildenrath, West Germany, 1967

Kits-World - 1/72 Raf Wildenrath, West Germany, 1967. 450mm(W) x 450mm(H) 17inches(W) x 17inches(H).

Construction of Raf Wildenrath began in 1950, with the station coming onto 'active' status in 1952. It was the first of four 'clutch' bases operated by the Raf in West Germany, the others being Geilenkirchen, Bruggen and Laarbruch.

From 1953, the first units to operate from Wildenrath were Nos. 67 and 71 Squadrons flying North American F-86E Sabres and also the Sabre Conversion Flight. These were supplemented by Hunting Percival Pembrokes, and de Havilland Devons and Herons of No. 60 (RAFG Communications) Squadron, with the Pembrokes also flying clandestine photographic missions against Soviet and East German Forces.

In 1956, No. 88 Squadron was reformed at Wildenrath operating English Electric Canberra B(I).8's, and in 1957, No. 17 Squadron flying Canberra PR.7's was moved to Wildenrath from Raf Wahn. In December 1962, No 88 Squadron was renumbered as No. 14 Squadron. No. 14 Squadron stayed at Wildenrath until 1970, when it was re-stationed to Raf Bruggen. No. 17 Squadron stood down at Wildenrath in 1969 and was reformed in 1970 also at Bruggen.

During the early 1970's, Wildenrath saw the arrival of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier equipping Nos. 3, 4 and 20 Squadrons, alongside 21(AS) Signal Regiment which combined to form the Raf 'Harrier Force'. In 1976, No. 19 moved to Wildenrath from Gutersloh after converting to the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 from English Electric Lightnings, with No.92 arriving in 1977. Nos. 3 and 4 Squadrons in turn went to Gutersloh with No. 20 Squadron moving to Bruggen to be re-equipped with Sepecat Jaguar GR.1's. Both 19 and 92 Squadrons stayed with Phantoms at Wildenrath until 1991.

Also present at Wildenrath was 12 Independent Liaison Flight operating Westland Scouts and de Havilland Beavers. During its time there, the unit underwent a number of name changes from 31 Flight, through 131 Flight Royal Corps of Transport, 669 Squadron Aac and back to 12 Flight.

Wildenrath closed in April 1992 and at that time, the only operational unit still present was No. 60 Squadron.

Main aircraft operated for the period (1967) given:

English Electric Canberra B(I).8. Shown is a B(I).8 of No. 14 Squadron during 1967.
English Electric Canberra PR.7
GPS- 51º06'53.27' N 6º13'22.29' E (General location)