With not too much else going on (aviationwise that is) we decided to go hunting for some Dutch wrecks & relics. There are still some bits out there we need!
We started off near our capitals airport, where the first little bit of action was visible since "the ashcloud".
Eshuis Trading, Aalsmeer (52 15 49.5 N, 4 44 17.8 E)
PH-UFM Auster III std, ex MLD 21-31
Contrary to what is mentioned in EMOOS, this one is visible from outside at the Uiterweg 122. It is parked inside the large shed behind a former military truck and can be seen through the front window (on the right hand side). The owner, mr. Eshuis, is a very friendly guy. He's a pensioner who has been collecting military vehicles for many, many years. The Auster will be repainted in military markings and then put on display in the same shed it is now, hanging from the ceiling.
Schiphol airport
UR-CAH An-12BK c/n 8345604, ex Ukraine AF 87
This was parked at freight, unable to leave due to the flying ban. Bad for them, but good for me!
ROC Amsterdam, Hoofddorp (52 17 37 N, 4 41 00 E)
(80+56) Bo.105M GIA, no mks
(80+77) Bo.105M GIA, no mks
We showed up here without appointment and asked wether we could photograph the choppers. Unfortunately a class was being held in the hangar so we were not allowed in. Luckily both helicopters (and all other inmates) can be seen through the windows from the parking lot at the back side of the hangar. This parking lot can only be accessed when the school is open by the way, so not outside office hours. All other inmates mentioned in EMOOS were present, apart from S-2 151 (which is currently at Lelystad).
Van Vliet trucks, Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel
A.109's H09, H10, H11, H12, H13, H15, H18 and H34
All are stored in a closed warehouse in a fenced off storage location of Van Vliet. We asked at the main office (along the Rijksweg) wether we could have a look at the choppers, and someone was so friendly to drive us to the storage location and let us in for some pictures. H10 and H18 carry 18 SQ MRH mks, the rest has no markings. They are intended for sale, if possible in one buy, most probably to an African buyer (military or maybe civil).
Next stop was Zevenhuizen, where a Harvard should be stored with Verweij Caravan shop. We found the location all right, and the guy behind the reception confirmed they have the Harvard. However, we were not allowed to see it.....
Quickly on to Gilze, where the dumped fuselage of NF-5 K-3044 should (just) be visible from outside. Well, we tried hard, but failed miserably. If I understand the locals right it can only be seen when the the leaves are all fallen from the trees, otherwise it is hiding behind them. Hopefully they won't remove and scrap it before the open day coming June!
So after a good start of the day we had two disappointments on a row. Our next one should again be a success however!
Volkel
D-8063 F-104G std, 312 sq mks
J-222 F-16A GIA, 311 sq mks
J-268 F-16B GIA, 313 sq mks
80229 F-16A GIA, spec c/s
Inside a hangar were four F-16 fuselages, which should be J-251, J-253, J-254, J-255 and J-257 with one of those sold as GIA to Chile (don't know which one, or maybe even all five were there, we had to look through some gaps and cracks...). A dump held the fuselage of F-104G (D-8256) (nose in base museum) and the remains of crashed F-16's J-206 and J-363.
I made two "new" F-16's today, not bad! Only four (all non-operational ones) to go...
When done here at Vokle we continued northeast, since we wanted to catch the Hind that recently moved to The Netherlands.
V.d. Bosch Arena, Wierden (52 22 41.5 N, 6 35 36.6 E)
0219 Mi-24D pr, no mks
This one used to be at a company specialised in importing military vehicles in the UK. We actually visited there about year ago for the Hind, but arrived when the owner was just packing to leave. He had no problems with showing us the helicopter but unfortunately he really didn't have the time for it. Now we finally got it anyway, and a lot closer to home. It was bought by a guy who uses the engine for his tractor (which will participate in some tractor pulling game). At least until Ascencion day (Hemelvaart) it will be parked here at the arena, clearly visible from outside. A nice gapfiller!
Although it was getting rather late by now we had one more stop planned.
Twenthe airbase (closed....)
N132GB T-33A std, ex 53-6091
This one made the Dutch headlines a few weeks back, when it made an emergency landing at the closed airbase Twenthe. Apparently it is still waiting for repairs before it will continue its flight to its new owner in Germany. It is parked inside the shelter that is nearest to the gate, and can be seen from outside the base. I understand it will leave in a few weeks, so there's still time to catch it!
And with this bonus in the pocket we headed for a late and quick dinner before we started the journey back home. All in all a good day out, with a lot of long standing and annoying gaps filled!
As always, comments, corrections and additions are very welcome.
That's all folks!
Frank Mink & Patrick Dirksen
Tristar Aviation
