TaktLwG 73 'Steinhoff' Part 2 Book Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

As you know, AirDoc publishes a wide range of interesting references, and this one is no different. This title picks up the coverage from Part 1 of JG 73's operational history, covering the period of 1975-1997, the years of the F-4F Phantom II. The title doesn't go into detail about the technical specifics of the F-4F, but rather how the aircraft was inducted under PEACE RHEIN, how crews transitioned into a far more complex aircraft then their previous types, and how the infrastructure had developed to handle the aircraft, including moving two villages! The unit logged an impressive number of flight hours during its service with the F-4F, suffering a single accident where the crew opted to stay with the aircraft to avoid crashing into a village.

JG 73 saw a new companion join the unit when the Luftwaffe had assimilated the EGAF units and aircraft after Germany's reunification in 1991. JG 73 would continue to operate the F-4F, but they also joined by MiG-29s as part of the new organization. This title has some interesting photos of the aircraft together with former adversaries. While the F-4F remained in service with the Luftwaffe through 2013, JG 73 was relocated to a new airbase in 1997, so I suspect there is a Part 3 in the works to cover the move of JG 73 to its new home and its transition into the Eurofighter Typhoon. This title is published side-by-side in German and English, and is well-illustrated title providing full color photography the aircraft and crews, including many of the special schemes carried by the type.

Whether you're an aviation historian or a fan of the F-4 Phantom II, the information and images in this title will add some outstanding information and insight into this Luftwaffe fighter wing.

This title is available directly from AirDOC's website http://www.airdoc.eu/.

My sincere thanks to AirDOC for this review sample!