Hobby Master Archive

As West Germany’s first operational jet fighter unit, JG 71 was formed in June 1959 and equipped with 50 Canadair Sabre Mk.6s. Canadair Sabre Mk. 6 JG+344 MSN 1757 from JG 71, 2 Staffel was lost on a training flight. On August 7, 1963 JG+344, piloted by Feldwebel Eckhard Wendt, was lost when it crashed on a target range at Aurich-Brockzetel. The pilot as well as 5 people on the ground were killed. In 1963 the unit moved to Wittmundhafen AB and re-equipped with the F-104, an aircraft Erich Hartmann disliked.