For the first time in almost 30 years, German Army Base Bückeburg opened their gates to the public on Sunday 10 September 2006. On the Saturday before, the gates were open to press and spotters (entrée fee 30 euro). Often this offers opportunities for pictures without fences and public around the aircraft. Since there were also some great participants listed, afterburner decided not to miss this event.

Bückeburg is home to the German Army Aviation School (Heeres Flieger Waffen Schule) and its Head Quarters under command of Brigade General Richard Bolz. Resident helicopter types are EC-135, Bö-105P and the impressive CH-53G.

The Eurocopter EC-135s recently replaced the large Alouette II fleet for basic helicopter training and belongs to Training Group A (Lehrgruppe A). Fifteen EC-135s had been ordered but currently only fourteen remain in service. Sadly one was lost in a crash on 3 March 2005, the crew escaped with minor injuries. The EC-135 is not only used for basic training for new German Army pilots, but also for Air Force and Navy colleagues.

Also to Lehrgruppe A belongs the mighty CH-53G. The Bölkow Bö-105P belongs to the Heeresfliegerversuchsstaffel 910 (HFVS910, advanced helicopter training).

A few years ago UH-1D and Bö-105P helos belonging to the HFWS moved from Bückeburg to Celle. They belong to Training Centre C (Ausbildungszentrum C). Currently the Eurocopter EC-665 Tiger is entering service with the German Army. Training for this type is performed by the combined French-German Tiger training centre at Le Luc in the south of France.

Another new type in the German Army inventory is the Eurocopter NH-90. The first ones are already flying with the test unit for tests and evaluations. The NH-90 will replace the aging work horse of the army: the UH-1D. The NH-90 will not only enter service with the German army but also with the Air Force and Navy.

The weather was nice when we entered the base. After a briefing we were taken to the flight line which was packed with helicopters. Among the highlights were two Hungarian Mi-24Ps (one for static and one for flying display), a Finnish Mi-8PS, Norwegian Bell 412s, a NH-90 and German and French Tigers (or Tigres as the French wish).

The static was difficult to photograph since there were not only some 300 aviation enthusiasts but some 1500 more people walking around. When the flying display started, the sun turned over and was shining in our faces. Normally this is a pleasant feeling but not when you are out there to take the pictures you always wanted to take of the helos with a great back ground scenery! We managed however to get a few good shots and placed them on this page.