This Foxtrot flew first in March 2020 and carries FMS serial 16-07472. The heavy lift helicopter was delivered to the Netherlands on 31 March 2020, first via Fort Hood (TX) for training. It arrived in the Netherlands on 14 January 2021 and was accepted by 298sq Grizzly at Gilze Rijen on 1 April 2021. The Chinook is seen here while training with some sling loads.

This GRIZZLY was executing an engine test at its homebase platform.

Photo by A. le Nobel.

his Apache Guardian was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 24 January 2024 and accepted by 301sq "Redskins" at 18 April 2024. Its previous ID is still unknown. The basic airframe is one of 29 AH-64Ds the KLu has operated up to early 2024.

FMS serial 16-07473 was first delivered to 302sq at Fort Hood (TX) on 31 May 2020. It was transported to the Netherlands and accepted by 298sq on 6 May 2021. The US built hardened shelters at its homebase Gilze Rijen are a fine back ground.

Sadly no unit markings, but assigned to 301sq. The AH-64E Apache Guardian was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 1 May 2024. Its previous ID is still unknown. The basic airframe is one of 29 AH-64Ds the KLu has operated up to early 2024. Q-41 is seen here hovering to the runway of its homebase with the ATC in the back ground.

Planned for a flight of three in the morning of 28 August. The quite new helicopter (delivered to the in May 2025) went tech and needed some attention. Its two other buddy's already took off and left Q-43 behind. Luckily for the crew, maintenance helped to get the Apache Guardian fixed and after some twenty minutes Q-43 rushed to the runway and took off to join the other two. On top of the rotors, the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar (FCR) system is seen. A new feature for the Dutch air force since the introduction of the AH-64E in 2024.

Photo by A. le Nobel.

Visible during the Tactical Weapons Meet in 1976, P-209 survived until 1989 (Tony Lloyd image)

Ex TAA VH-SBH. Sold to the Dutch air force on August 2, 1962. Converted to a military transport and painted by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown . It would return to Australia in 1964 as VH-EDD with Qantas, which had acquired it from a dealer in Manila. Australian sources are in no doubt X-18 was c/n 25367/13922. However, Dutch sources say X-18 was a c/n 11971 ex VH-SBC which had been leased from TAA in late 1962. This aircraft remained on the Australian register during the lease and until sold in 1968. Dutch sources say 25367/13922 was serial X-19. Greg Banfield photo

F-039 (FMS 22-5844) was delivered in January 2024. It is seen here with recently installed dragchute housing on its rear fuselage.

Departing Eindhoven (just when a cloud covers the sun...) while temporary operating from this airbase. This Cameri FACO (Italy) built Lightning II was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 11 January 2024 and was only recently modified with the rare dragchute housing in between the vertical stabilo's.

One of the last delivered F-35s (by Aug'25) to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) is this 041. It arrived in the Netherlands on 6 Mar'25 and received only recently - as the first Dutch F-35A - a 312 Squadron marking. In 1951, the 312 was established. A year later it flew with 25 Thunderjets. In 1956, 312 Squadron started the conversion to the Thunderstreak. In the period from Oct'65 to early '66, the F-104G Starfighter was introduced. On 27 Jul'84, the first F-16s for 312 arrived. They flew up to Sep'24. In Oct'24, the F-35 took over the task. 312 is nicknamed Bonzo.

F-041 has become the first F-35 to be painted with the markings of 312 sqn. Today was its first flight with its new markings.

Operated by 313Sqn from Volkel, but without unit badge on its tail

Serial F-027 in take-off from Eindhoven air base during a remote operations exercise. The Cameri FACO (Italy) built F-027 (FMS serial20-5656) is seen here with a recent modification, a roofbox. Not for cargo, but the box is housing the dragchute. The Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) is the second Lightning II operator using such a trunk, following Norway. F-027 was delivered to the KLu on 31 August 2022. From that moment, up to the moment of this photo, 313sq at Volkel owned it.

Serial F-029 in take-off from Eindhoven air base during a remote operations exercise. The Cameri FACO (Italy) built F-035 (FMS serial 20-5658) was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 31 August 2022. From that moment, up to the moment of this photo, 313sq at Volkel owned it.