The BankGiro Loterij / Aviodrome Airtour 2009 visited most Dutch airports & airfields this year, celebrating 100 year of motorized aviation in the Netherlands. Today Lelystad, the Aviodrome's homebase, hosted the BGL Airtour but the Aviodrome invited some additional parties to make this weekend even more special. One such special guest was C-47A N473DC (c/n 19345), which is a true WW2 warbird and dropped a load of para's. The Focke Wulf resides in France. People walked (and sat) around in WW2 uniforms. The 'Luftwaffe major' with the white cap is H.J. Vrielink. |
Seen here arriving is a 1943-vintage Stinson AT-19 Reliant N1943S (77-463), owned by Remco Sijben. It is painted in Royal Navy colours, with its original serial FB735. During World War II the English Forces used 500 of these "Gullwings". After the war 350 were returned to the USA. An astounding 120 are reportedly still active. The Stinson has a Lycoming radial engine (290hp) and its presence here at the Aviodrome was much appreciated. |
![]() Another true warbird is this Douglas A-26B Invader 43-4602/S (N167B c/n 27881)
Unfortunately the Invader returned from the runway, as one engine did not run during pre-take off runup as it should do. The flight was aborted, but as I had to leave before the air event ended, it may well have flown later that day. |
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![]() I would assume that the trucks and motorcycles belong to "Keep Them Rolling". C-47B 'PH-ALR' was previously G-AMCA (c/n 32966) of Air Atlantique. It has been painted as KLM's 'Reiger' (=Heron) which was delivered in 1937 and diverted to England for WW II; it was used by BOAC as G-AGBC, written off at Heston,UK on 21sep1940 as result of an accident. |
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More photos featuring C-47A "Drag-em-Oot". |
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A quick look at some local residents. G-DAKK found its way to the 'Oorlogsmuseum Overloon' in 2017 |
![]() Douglas DC-2 'PH-AJU' sits comfortably under the admiring stares of people who climbed the tower |
![]() Lockheed L.749A Constellation 'PH-FLE' (N749NL c/n 2604) could and should have flown this year, but KLM stepped in as main sponsor, initiated the merger of the Aviodrome and DDA Airlines and put an embargo on flights with the 'Dutch Connie'. One can only hope that this will lead to flights-carrying -paying-passengers at some point in the future: if the Swiss can do it and Lufthansa is restoring a Lockheed Starliner for that purpose, why would KLM and the Dutch Civil Aviation Authorities deny 'the Dutch Connie' such a participation to the Dutch Industrial & Aviation Heritage...? |
The Rotterdam Blitz... This refers to the aerial bombardment of Rotterdam by the German Airforce on 14 May 1940, during the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II. The objective was to support the German troops fighting in the city, break Dutch resistance, and to force the Dutch to surrender. [Wikipedia] More photos of this display on my report in April 2009. |
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A restoration which has been going for a few years, is the Fokker S-IV project. The only original parts are the landing gear, the seats, most of the steelframe (even some of metal cover) and the engine... The rest is being manufactured. More on this on my earlier visit this year. |
Read my March 2018 UPDATE! |
Back to the flying display and action.. Actually, the airport authorities were very restrictive and opted for not closing the airport for a two hour or so display by the participating aircraft. Normal flight operations into the airfield by light aircraft proceeded as normal, but this private Supermarine Spitfire F-AZJS ('PS890/UM-E', c/n 6S/585110) did an inspiring air display nevertheless, on a slightly higher altitude than otherwise. |
![]() Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina PH-PBY (c/n 300) participated in the movements as well. Flights could be booked for a "Splash-'n-Go", which I had been fortunate to undergo earlier this month (REPORT). |
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![]() The DC-3 represented here as an airliner, the PH-PBA of DDA Airlines, and warbird, N473DC. The latter is being put up for the night, the owner Mr Patrick Green helping a hand. |
![]() Patrick Green, owner of "Drag-em-Oot", in conversation with Arno van der Holst, Director of the Aviodrome. In the background pilot Peter Kuypers talks with the unlucky parachutist who ended up in the trees, fortunately without ill effects. More on this splendid Douglas Dakota a.k.a. Skytrain: HERE and HERE.. |
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Focke Fw-190A8/N Wulf F-AZZJ (c/n 990013) was supposed to do an engine run up, but a seal was broken and it was leaking quite severely. It is seen here under repairs. I had to leave before a 2nd attempt was to be made at the end of the afternoon. It had been another fine day, brimming with activities and photo opportunities, at the Aviodrome |
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