On Friday, 20 May we took our breakfast with us in a takeout bag because we wanted to be at the airport early. Today the spotters day was planned and the gates would open at 8 o’clock. The schedule called for two missions to be flown which we could attend on base. The sun was shining again and in good spirits we drove through the gate on time. When parking the bus we were already in discussion with the wardens about the closing times. We were convinced it would last till the end of the day, while the guards were talking about 2PM. Anyway, arriving at the check we read a note telling the event would end at 2PM …. Unlike the previous plans it appeared impossible to await the afternoon wave on the air base (with sun in the back). The result was over a 1,000 severely disappointed and angry photographers on the ramp. Grudgingly everybody tried to keep an eye on what exactly what was going to happen. In the morning wave, which only consisted of the aircraft with specially coloured tails, we were standing between the runway and the taxiway. Several visiting aircraft landed and there was plenty of activity. After the wave everyone was again directed to the ramp where a small part of the NTM aircraft was ‘within reach’. Then, suddenly, a rumour buzzed that we were allowed to stay until the end of the day, and this was soon confirmed to be true. We were allowed to shoot the afternoon wave, a really big wave. We could stand near the taxi track. At the end of the afternoon everyone came back to the coach very satisfied and the frustration of the early morning could be shared. Fortunately, the day ended a lot better than the expectation that was aroused in the morning upon arrival at Zaragoza.
