Wunstorf Air Base

{{Short description|German military air base}} {{Use Oxford spelling |date=December 2024}} {{Use dmy dates |date=December 2024}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Wunstorf Air Base {{smaller|RAF Wunstorf}} {{smaller|Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B-116}} | ensign = Bundeswehr Logo Luftwaffe with lettering.svg | ensign_size = 200px | native_name = | partof =  | location = | nearest_town =  | country = | image = [[File:NASA World Wind - Wunstorf.jpg|250px]] | alt = | caption = Aerial picture prior to 2010's expansion | image2 =  | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = | coordinates = {{coord|52|27|17|N|009|25|44|E|display=inline,title|format=dec}} | pushpin_map = Germany Lower Saxony | pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Lower Saxony, Germany | pushpin_label = Wunstorf Air Base | pushpin_label_position = | ownership = [[Bundeswehr|Federal Defence Forces of Germany]] | operator = {{ubl |[[File:Balkenkreuz.svg|20px]]{{nbsp}}[[Luftwaffe]] (National Socialist), 1936–1945 |[[File:Roundel of the United Kingdom.svg|20px]]{{nbsp}}[[Royal Air Force]], 1945–1957 |[[File:Roundel of Germany – Type 1 – Border.svg|15px]]{{nbsp}}[[German Air Force]] (FRG), 1957–present }} | controlledby =  | open_to_public =  | site_other_label =  | site_other =  | site_area =  | code =  | built = {{Start date|1936}} | used = 1936–present | builder = | materials = | height =  | length =  | fate =  | condition = | battles = | events = | current_commander =  | past_commanders =  | garrison = * [[Air Transport Wing 62]] | occupants =  | designations = | website = | footnotes =   | IATA = | ICAO = ETNW | FAA = | TC = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation =  | r1-number = 03/21 | r1-length = {{cvt|1699|m|0}} | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 08/26 | r2-length = {{cvt|2499|m|0}} | r2-surface = Concrete | h1-number = | h1-length =  | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label =  | airfield_other =   }} '''Wunstorf Air Base''' is a [[German Air Force]] military airfield (air base), located {{convert|6|km}} south-southwest of [[Neustadt am Rübenberge]] and {{convert|4|km}} north-northwest of [[Wunstorf]] in [[Lower Saxony]], [[Germany]]. Wunstorf Air Base is the home to [[Air Transport Wing 62]] ({{lang|de|Lufttransportgeschwader 62}}), a unit operating all German [[Airbus A400M Atlas]].

==History== The airfield was opened in 1936 for the German [[Luftwaffe]] reconstituted by the [[National Socialist]] government in 1935. During the [[Second World War]], it was seized by the [[British Army]] on 7 April 1945, in a fierce battle by elements of the [[5th Parachute Brigade]], [[6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom)|6th Airborne Division]]. During the battle, in which the 13th Battalion was also engaged, the [[7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion]] lost six killed, and 21 wounded, most from the initial ambush of the four leading trucks of B Company. The airfield was captured with 19 [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]]s, four [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190]]s, two [[Junkers Ju 88|Ju 88]]s, two [[Junkers Ju 52|Ju 52]]s and much other valuable equipment.

After the battle, the base was taken over by the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), including Canadian ([[Royal Canadian Air Force|RCAF]]) Wing 126 of the British [[RAF Second Tactical Air Force|2nd Tactical Air Force]], and designated as [[Advanced Landing Ground]] '''B-116 Wunstorf'''.

The airfield features heavily in the book ''13 - Lucky For Some'', which is about the history of the [[13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion]]. There are many then and now photographs as well as maps and diagrams of battles that took place in the region.

It was later designated '''RAF Wunstorf''' and used by [[Royal Air Force Germany]]. RAF units assigned were:

* April 1947 - June 1950: 2 Sq with [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire F 14/PR 19]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=23}} * 1950-1952: 4 Sq,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=24}} 26 Sq with [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire FB 5]] later FB9{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=33}} * August 1950 - September 1955: 11 Sq with Vampire FB 5, later [[de Havilland Venom|Venom FB 1]], later FB 4{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=27}} * March 1952 - October 1955: 5 Sq with Vampire FB 5, later Venom FB 1, later FB 4{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=25}} * July 1952 - October 1955: 266 Sq with Vampire FB 5, later Venom FB 1, later FB 4{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=81}} * November 1955 - September 1956: 79 Sq with [[Gloster Meteor|Meteor FR 9]] and Swift FR 5{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=49}} * November 1955 - September 1957: 541 Sq with Meteor PR 10{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=97}} * 1956-1957: 5 Sq,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=25}} 11 Sq,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=27}} 266 Sq with Venom FB 4{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=81}}

Much of the 1951 novel ''[[Air Bridge]]'' by [[Hammond Innes]] is set in RAF Wunstorf at the time of the [[Berlin Airlift]]. The novel contains descriptions of how the airfield, rapidly expanded for the Airlift, looked at that time.

The then-RAF Wunstorf also featured in the 1957 film "[[High Flight (film)|High Flight]]". Also in 1957, the airfield returned to the control of the [[German Air Force]] and became a [[NATO]] air base.

The airfield participated in [[Air Defender 23]], the largest exercise of air forces in the history of NATO, held 12–23 June 2023 under the leadership of the German Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-06-10|date=2023-06-07|language=en|title=Germany prepares to host NATO's biggest ever air exercise over Europe|url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/07/germany-prepares-to-host-natos-biggest-ever-air-exercise-over-europe|website=euronews.com}}</ref>

==Use by German Air Force== [[File:Transall LTG 62 1983.jpeg|thumb|right| A German Air Force Transall C-160D transport aircraft (s/n 50+38) of [[Air Transport Wing 62]] (LTG 62) based at Wunstorf Air Base, in flight on 15 June 1983]] German Air Force first stationed [[Nord Noratlas]] which by 1971 were replaced by [[Transall C-160]]D; those were disbanded from the local [[Air Transport Wing 62]] (LTG 62) in July 2015, now focussing on accepting and integrating Airbus A400M ''Atlas''. Flight training for decades was executed using [[Dornier Do 28]].

==Expansion in 2010s== As preparation for 40 Airbus A400M ''Atlas'' to be stationed at Wunstorf Air Base, the airbase underwent major expansion. Runway 08/26 ({{convert|45|m|disp=or}} wide) was lengthened from {{convert|1,877|to|2499|m|ft}} mainly to the east. Parking positions were expanded, one maintenance hangar was erected, another one is under construction.{{when? |date=November 2022}} A building to house the flight simulator has been added.

==Motorsport== {{Infobox motorsport venue |name = Wunstorf Air Base Circuit |location = [[Wunstorf]], [[Lower Saxony]] |image = [[Image:Wunstorf airfield circuit layout 1993.png|class=skin-invert|250px]] |image_caption = Full Circuit (1982–1998) |opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1964|08|30}} |closed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1998|08|02}} |events = [[Super Tourenwagen Cup|STW]] (1994, 1996–1998) [[German Formula Three Championship|German F3]] (1974–1979, 1981–1986, 1988–1994, 1997–1998) [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft|DTM]] (1984–1988, 1990–1993) [[Interserie]] (1977–1979, 1985–1990) [[Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft|DRM]] (1981–1982, 1985) |layout = Full Circuit (1982–1998) |length_km = 5.047 |length_mi = 3.136 |turns = 13 |record_time = 1:30.750 |record_driver = {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Kris Nissen]] |record_car = [[Porsche 962|Porsche 962C]] |record_year = [[Interserie|1988]] |record_class = [[Group C]] |layout2 = Full Circuit (1981) |length2_km = 5.047 |length2_mi = 3.136 |turns2 = 12 |record_time2 = 1:43.580 |record_driver2 = {{flagicon|BRD}} [[Manfred Winkelhock]] |record_car2 = [[Ford Capri#Zakspeed Ford Capri|Ford Capri III Turbo]] |record_year2 = [[:de:Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft 1981|1981]] |record_class2 = [[Group 5 (motorsport)#4th Generation Group 5 – "Special Production Cars" (1976 to 1982)|Group 5]] |layout3 = Full Circuit (1978–1980) |length3_km = 3.348 |length3_mi = 2.081 |turns3 = 13 |record_time3 = 1:17.500 |record_driver3 = {{flagicon|BRD}} [[Jochen Dauer]] |record_car3 = [[Chevron Cars Ltd#Cars|Chevron B43]] |record_year3 = [[1978 German Formula Three Championship|1978]] |record_class3 = [[Formula Three|F3]] |layout4 = Full Circuit (1976–1977) |length4_km = 3.849 |length4_mi = 2.392 |turns4 = 16 |record_time4 = 1:25.300 |record_driver4 = {{flagicon|BRD}} [[:de:Helmut Bross (Rennfahrer)|Helmut Bross]] |record_car4 = [[Lola T290#Variants|Lola T294]] |record_year4 = [[Interserie|1977]] |record_class4 = [[Group 5 (motorsport)#3rd Generation Group 5 – "Sports Cars" (1972 to 1975)|Group 5]] |layout5 = Full Circuit (1975) |length5_km = 3.500 |length5_mi = 2.175 |turns5 = 13 |record_time5 = |record_driver5 = |record_car5 = |record_year5 = |record_class5 = |layout6 = Full Circuit (1965–1974) |length6_km = 5.099 |length6_mi = 3.169 |turns6 = 17 |record_time6 = 1:49.000 |record_driver6 = {{flagicon|BRD}} [[Kurt Ahrens Jr.]] |record_car6 = [[Porsche 908]] |record_year6 = 1969 |record_class6 = [[Group 6 (motorsport)#Group 6 Prototype-Sports Cars (1966 to 1971)|Group 6]] |layout7 = Full Circuit (1964) |length7_km = 3.799 |length7_mi = 2.361 |turns7 = |record_time7 = |record_driver7 = |record_car7 = |record_year7 = |record_class7 = }}

Between 1964 and 1998, a temporary motor racing circuit was laid out on the Wunstorf airbase. It hosted the [[Interserie]] [[sports car racing]] championship between 1977 and 1979, and again between 1985 and 1990. The [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft|German Touring Car Championship]] competed at Wunstorf between 1984 and 1993,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dtm.com/statistik-strecke.php?strecke=Wunstorf |title = DTM | die DTM-Saison |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122054529/http://www.dtm.com/statistik-strecke.php?strecke=Wunstorf |archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> one of several temporary airfield tracks on the DTM calendar at the time. The series eventually began to move towards permanent racing facilities and the final DTM race at Wunstorf took place in 1993. The [[Super Tourenwagen Cup]] raced at the venue in 1994 and from 1996 to 1998.

Besides the big-name national championships, Wunstorf hosted a series of annual club racing meetings until 1999, when motor racing on the airbase premises was finally halted due to the cost of preparation and administration for the events.

=== Lap records ===

The fastest official race lap records at the Wunstorf Air Base Circuit are listed as:

{| class="wikitable" !Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1982–1998): {{cvt|5.047|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine'>{{Cite web |title=Wunstorf {{!}} Motorsport Database |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/wunstorf/ |website=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport Magazine]] |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> |- | [[Group C]] || '''1:30.750'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interserie Wunstorf 1988 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Wunstorf-1988-07-17.html |date=17 July 1988 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> || [[Kris Nissen]] || [[Porsche 962|Porsche 962C]] || [[Interserie|1988 Wunstorf Interserie round]] |- | [[Formula Three]] || '''1:38.494'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADAC Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf 11.Lauf Deutsche Formel 3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1 |url=https://formel3guide.com/images/ergebnisse/1998/1998-wunstorf-r1.pdf |date=1 August 1998 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> || {{ill|Steffen Widmann|pl}} || [[Dallara F3 cars#F397|Dallara F397]] || [[1998 German Formula Three Championship|1998 Wunstorf German F3 round]] |- | [[Class 1 Touring Cars]] || '''1:44.620'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1993 » Wunstorf Flugplatz Round 8 Results |url=https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=845 |date=16 May 1993 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> || [[Nicola Larini]] || [[Alfa Romeo 155#Motorsport|Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI]] || [[1993 Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft|1993 Wunstorf DTM round]] |- | [[Super Touring]] || '''1:45.653'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=STW Cup 1997 » Wunstorf Flugplatz Round 12 Results |url=https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=1203 |date=13 July 1997 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> || [[Laurent Aïello]] || [[Peugeot 406#Motorsport|Peugeot 406]] || [[1997 Super Tourenwagen Cup|1997 Wunstorf STW Cup round]] |- | [[Group A#Touring car racing|Group A]] || '''1:46.150'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » Wunstorf Flugplatz Round 6 Results |url=https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=803 |date=3 May 1992 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> || [[Keke Rosberg]] || [[Mercedes-Benz W201#Evolution II|Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2]] || [[1992 Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft|1992 Wunstorf DTM round]] |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1981): {{cvt|5.047|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- | [[Group 5 (motorsport)#4th Generation Group 5 – "Special Production Cars" (1976 to 1982)|Group 5]] || '''1:43.580'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=DRM Wunstorf 1981 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Wunstorf-1981-06-21.html |date=21 June 1981 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Manfred Winkelhock]] || [[Ford Capri#Zakspeed Ford Capri|Ford Capri III Turbo]] || [[:de:Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft 1981|1981 Wunstorf DRM round]] |- | [[Formula Three]] || '''1:49.210'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf 3.Lauf Deutsche Formel 3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen |url=https://www.formel3guide.com/images/ergebnisse/1981/1981-wunstorf-r.pdf |date=21 June 1981 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Stefan Bellof]] || [[Ralt RT3]] || [[1981 German Formula Three Championship|1981 Wunstorf German F3 round]] |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1978–1980): {{cvt|3.348|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- | [[Formula Three]] || '''1:17.500'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 ADAC Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf 4.Lauf Deutsche Formel 3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen |url=https://www.formel3guide.com/images/ergebnisse/1978/1978-wunstorf-r.pdf |date=11 June 1978 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Jochen Dauer]] || [[Chevron Cars Ltd#Cars|Chevron B43]] || [[1978 German Formula Three Championship|1978 Wunstorf German F3 round]] |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1976–1977): {{cvt|3.849|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- | [[Group 5 (motorsport)#3rd Generation Group 5 – "Sports Cars" (1972 to 1975)|Group 5]] || '''1:25.300'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interserie Wunstorf 1977 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Wunstorf-1977-06-12.html |date=12 June 1977 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || {{ill|Helmut Bross|de|Helmut Bross (Rennfahrer)}} || [[Lola T290#Variants|Lola T294]] || [[Interserie|1977 Wunstorf Interserie round]] |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1975): {{cvt|3.500|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1965–1974): {{cvt|5.099|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- | [[Group 6 (motorsport)#Group 6 Prototype-Sports Cars (1966 to 1971)|Group 6]] || '''1:49.000'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wunstorf [SP] 1969 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Wunstorf-1969-08-17.html |date=17 August 1969 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Kurt Ahrens Jr.]] || [[Porsche 908]] || 1969 Internationales Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf |- | [[Formula Three]] || '''1:52.500'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=1971 ADAC Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf Gesamtergebnis Lauf 1+2 |url=https://www.formel3guide.com/images/ergebnisse/1971/1971-wunstorf-r.pdf |date=15 August 1971 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Fabrizio Noé]] || [[Lotus 69]] || 1971 ADAC Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf Formula 3 race |- | [[Group 4 (motorsport)#Sports car racing|Group 4]] || '''2:02.700'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wunstorf International - Grand Touring under 2000 cc 1971 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Wunstorf-1971-08-15b.html |date=15 August 1971 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> || [[Hans-Heinrich Timm]] || [[Porsche 914-6 GT]] || 1971 ADAC Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf GT race |- ! colspan=5 | Full Circuit (1964): {{cvt|3.799|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name='wunstorf_msportmagazine' /> |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Bibliography== * {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130217013222/http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=GM88612&sch=ETNW World Aero Data Wunstorf]}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120708035114/http://www.mil-airfields.de/de/wunstorf.htm Military Airfield Directory Wunstorf Airbase] * [http://www.paradata.org.uk/media/39932?mediaSection=Photos Wunstorf and Neustadt April 1945] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203093832/http://www.paradata.org.uk/media/39932?mediaSection=Photos |date=3 February 2016 }} * Innes, Hammond, ''Air Bridge'', (London, 1951) *{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C.G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }} * Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Wunstorf Air Base}} *{{GCM|ETNW}}

[[Category:German Air Force bases]] [[Category:Airports in Lower Saxony]] [[Category:Defunct motorsport venues in Germany]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Hanover Region]] [[Category:Motorsport venues in Lower Saxony]] [[Category:1936 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military airbases established in 1936]]