Hitler's airport a symbol of freedom

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

From The Times

April 26, 2008
Adolf Hitler's Berlin-Tempelhof airport in fight for its life

Soon, however, Hitler's dream airport could close its gates once and for all.
Berlin-Tempelhof is in the centre of the capital, barely 20 minutes drive
from the Brandenburg Gate, but it cannot be enlarged to accommodate large
aircraft. So the Berlin regional government, under Klaus Wowereit, the
ambitious Social Democrat Mayor, has said that the loss-making airport
should close in October and that resources should be concentrated on
expanding Schönefeld, the city's out-of-town airport.
--snip--

The passions of the Berliners are stirred not so much by the associations that
the airport has to Hitler as by its role in the Cold War. It was here that
US aircraft landed with food and coal when the Soviet Union sealed off West
Berlin in 1948.

The full article:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3818186.ece

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
frikken_Awesome Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P/UT Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Points: 214	Post Options Post Reply Quote frikken_Awesome Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Hitler's airport a symbol of freedom Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 10:52pm
	From The Times April 26, 2008 Adolf Hitler's Berlin-Tempelhof airport in fight for its life Soon, however, Hitler's dream airport could close its gates once and for all. Berlin-Tempelhof is in the centre of the capital, barely 20 minutes drive from the Brandenburg Gate, but it cannot be enlarged to accommodate large aircraft. So the Berlin regional government, under Klaus Wowereit, the ambitious Social Democrat Mayor, has said that the loss-making airport should close in October and that resources should be concentrated on expanding Schönefeld, the city's out-of-town airport. --snip-- The passions of the Berliners are stirred not so much by the associations that the airport has to Hitler as by its role in the Cold War. It was here that US aircraft landed with food and coal when the Soviet Union sealed off West Berlin in 1948. The full article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3818186.ece

VulcanB2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chief Pilot Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Points: 13365	Post Options Post Reply Quote VulcanB2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 11:46pm
	Can't they operate in a manner like London City? Best regards, Vulcan.

d9 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P1 Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Location: High Wycombe UK Points: 884	Post Options Post Reply Quote d9 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 1:37am
	Not just US aircraft. There was a huge British presence, both military and civil. Huge... Rob.

Hot_Charlie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chief Pilot Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Points: 1839	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hot_Charlie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2008 at 10:25pm
	In some ways it's a shame the a museum's been established at Gatow, the former RAF base - the possibilitys at Templehof would be very exciting, like Le Bourget. Politics aside, the terminal and hangar building at Templehof is on of the architectual masterpieces of the 20th century - and if in doubt, take a look at it in flash/googleearth. I hope at least that is preserved, along with the ramp. http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.480998&lon=13.390863&z=16.3&r=0&src=ggl Look at it from the NW perspective...

frikken_Awesome Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P/UT Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Points: 214	Post Options Post Reply Quote frikken_Awesome Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2008 at 5:49pm
	The buildings won't be torn down as they are protected sites but the airport is due to be closed to flights in Oct 08. -- the referendum didn't get enough votes to make any difference. something very sad about an unused, once major airport -- Hong Kong and Pittsburgh come to mind.

alanb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Ground Crew Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Points: 54	Post Options Post Reply Quote alanb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 2008 at 12:04pm
	Having flown into Templehof many times I can't see that it is suitable for modern aircraft (apart from light aircraft) - the runway is short and and on final approach you can look horizontally into the windows of the flats either side of the approach (or you could when I was flying back in the 60's) Cheers Alan

Hot_Charlie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chief Pilot Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Points: 1839	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hot_Charlie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 2008 at 10:40pm
	6000 and 6800ft - not exactly short. Quite respectable really. Mind you, everybody's used to getting 9003ft ex-NATO runways now I suppose.