Austria had been a neutral country during the Cold War and so when the requirement for a new jet fighter arose in the early 1980s they bought used Drakens from Sweden, also a neutral country. After further upgrades including a self-defence system, the type entered service with the Austria air force in 1985 as J35Ö (for Österreich/Austria). Austria finally retired its Drakens in 2005. Serial 19 is seen here at the KLu Open Dagen at Volkel in 2000.

With a horizontal grey box on the left side of the tail, placed over the once squadron markings, J-008 is seen here just before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). The Falcon participated in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. J-008 was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jan'91 and served all the way to the end of the Fighting Falcon in the KLu. It was built by Fokker (L-287) as a Block 15, was modified to Block 20 MLU in the late '90s. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Just finished its very last flight for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force), J-006, stripped off squadron markings, was part of the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. The Falcon is here seen just before it gets its traditional fire department water salute. J-006 was built by Fokker (L-285) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 13 Nov'90. It was modified in the mid 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Just finished its very last flight for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force), J-512 was part of the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. The Falcon is here seen just before it gets its traditional fire department water salute. J-512 was built by Fokker (L-272) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 9 November 1989. It was modified in the late 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

A sight never to be seen again post 27 September 2024. Dutch F-16s at the line of Volkel. J-512 leading this flightline, just after the final flight over the Netherlands. J-512 was built by Fokker (L-272) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 9 November 1989. It was modified in the late 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

With a grey diamond pattern on the right side of the tail, placed over the once squadron markings, J-008 is seen here just before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). The Falcon participated in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. J-008 was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jan'91 and served all the way to the end of the Fighting Falcon in the KLu. It was built by Fokker (L-287) as a Block 15, was modified to Block 20 MLU in the late '90s. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Moment before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). J-197 took part in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands on the 27th. J-197 was buolt by Fokker (L-206) and delivered to the KLu on 29 November 1985 as a Block 15U. It received a MLU in 2000 and became a Block 20 MLU. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Blasting away from Volkel air base runway 26R.

clean bird rolling under the spray of 2 E-Ones, for its pilots last flight.