Ex HA-LYC. Flight W64513 from Varna.

Flown by former RNLAF F-16 solo display pilot Ralph 'Sheikh' Aarts, the Spitfire visited Twente over the weekend for pilot proficiency training. The aircraft arrived at its new home base Eindhoven from the UK on 25 August 2021 and entered the Dutch register in February 2022. As the Dutch MoD allows no more than 15 annual movements for this bird at Eindhoven, it often operates from other fields. Backtracking runway 05 here for the return flight to Midden-Zeeland. Ahead of the pilot is the symbol of the Free French Forces and the civil registration can just be made out below the stabilo.

Visiting from its home airfield Hamm.

To add to her history already documented here, this Spitfire entered the Dutch civil register on 15 February 2022, initially with the RNLAF Historic Flight followed by the Spitfires Flying Vintage Everyday society. During her 80 (!) years, she has been dismantled and shipped many times and survived four damaging landing incidents. Converted into a two-seater for the second time, during repairs at Biggin Hill from 2016 to 2021. Coming in for a stop and go here, speed brakes fully deflected.

Photographed on the spectators terrace.

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijenand carried US Army serials and KLu titels. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. This 25472 was later modified to AH-64D within the US Army and became serial 01-05264.

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijenand carried US Army serials and KLu titels. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. This 25474 was later modified to AH-64D within the US Army and became serial 01-05235.

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijenand carried US Army serials and KLu titels. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. Within the US Army 25465 was later modified to AH-64D (serial 01-05252) and then to AH-64E

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijenand carried US Army serials and KLu titels. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. Within the US Army 25430 was later modified to AH-64D (serial 01-05250)

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijenand carried US Army serials and KLu titels. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. Within the US Army 25471 was later modified to AH-64D (serial 01-05264) and later AH-64E (serial (10-09001)

For a period of 5 years the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) leased 12 AH-64As from the US Army. The Alpha's were assigned to the Tactical Helicopter Group at Gilze Rijen and carried US Army serials and KLu titles. They arrived in one group from Germany on 13 Nov'96. They were used for training and operational deployment awaiting the delivery of the new Dutch AH-64Ds. The first 6 AH-64As were returned to the US Army in Sep'00. The final 6 were returned in Feb'01. This 25485 was later modified to AH-64D within the US Army and became serial 01-05254.