Finsterwalde-Schacksdorf

51°36'27"N 013°44'17"E

Runway 09/27 - 2700x50m - concrete (CLOSED)
Runway 09/27 - 885x40m - grass
Runway 09/27 - 1200x30m - concrete

Airfield Finsterwalde-Schacksdorf (german: flugplatz Finsterwalde-Schacksdorf, ICAO: EDUS) is an airfield 3kilometers (2nm) southeast of Finsterwalde in Brandenburg, Germany.
The airfield was built in the 1930s during Nazi-rule.
Finsterwalde-Schacksdorfs most striking feature is undoubtedly its control tower (built in 1935).


After World War II the airfield was used by the Soviet Forces' 559th Fighterbomber Regiment.
The unit flew MiG-23 and MiG-27 fighters/fighterbombers until the airbase closed.
The Russians left in 1992, after which the airfield closed.
It reopened in 1999 as a special airfield for civilian traffic with a very much shortened runway (shrunk from 2,700meter to just 1,200meter by painting new lines on the old, still fully intact runway).
Next to the concrete runway the airfield also has a grass runway.
Since becoming a civilian airfield the airfield has lost its refuelling capabilities.


The Control tower complex was extensively renovated between 1998 and 2003 with funds from the city counsils of Schacksdorf and Finsterwalde.
It now features ATC services, a viewing terrace, offices and a pilots cafe.

Many airfield buildings were taken down in 2004, but 6 World War II era hangars remained.
A 7th (the maintenance hangar, number 7) was blown up by the Soviets in April 1945.
Its remains were still at the airfield however, those were cleaned up with the other buildings in 2004.
Other buildings that remained after 2004: the fire station, the swimming pool, the officers mess (Casino) and a railway depot with railway tracks.
Many Hardened Aircraft Shelters built around 1970 and a large (nuclear) munitions bunker built in 1962 also remained.





Airfield Finsterwalde-Schacksdorf in 2000