Open Days RNLAF 2005, Gilze Rijen, the Netherlands

Gilze-Rijen Airbase hosted this year's annual open days of the Royal Netherlands Air Force on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th June 2005. The gates were opened for two days, to show the public what they are all about. It turned out to be a successful event! Several well known military demonstration teams demonstrated their skills during these days. E.g. from the United Kingdom; the Red Arrows and the Blue Eagles. But also the world's first professional civilian aerobatics team flying with jets; the Breitling Jet Team from France. The Royal Netherlands Air Force participated in the flying display with three demo teams; the F-16 Solo Display Team, the Apache Solo Display Team and the PC-7 Solo Display.

All the photographs below are made on the Saturday. Compliments must be made to the Open Days Organising Committee (and all the people that were involved) for their efforts!

Definitely one of the highlights during the open days at Gilze-Rijen was the AH-64D Solo Display Team from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. They performed a a lovely display and were occasionally using flares above their own homebase. The AH-64D, with serial Q-30, is flown by Major Wandert Brandsen and Captain Raymond Laporte.

Captain Gert-Jan "Goofy" Vooren is the display pilot of the F-16 Solo Display Team for 2005 and 2006. F-16AM with serial J-055, which is seen here in take off, at the beginning of the demo, received an attractive livery . The weather was perfect for the demo, so "Goofy" released some flares on several occasions during the display!

Another well known (Dutch) display team is the PC-7 Solo Display team. The team was established in 1995 and is based at Woensdrecht AB. LtCol Ruud Huisman is the demo pilot (second year). Pilatus PC-7, L-11, is seen here while making a roll. Note the 'smoke generators'.

The Belgian F-16 was being diplayed by John Vandebosch, he is the display pilot of the F-16 Solo Display Team and it is his third season as a display pilot. The demo-F-16, the FA-133, is seen here while Vandebosch is pulling his aircraft away from the public while using the afterburner and climbing for the next manouvre.

A New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules, serial NZ7003, is seen here departing from Gilze-Rijen. This particular aircraft was the support aircraft for the Red Arrows. It's nice to see a foreign Hercules occasionally supporting the Red Arrows instead of an example from the Royal Air Force.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BoBMF) came to Gilze-Rijen with two Spitfires and the Lancaster. One of them, Spitfire Mk2A with serial P7350, is the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the world. It currently wears the livery of No 603 Squadron's L1067 ‘XT-D', as flown by the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader ‘Uncle' George Denholm during the Battle of Britain.

The AH-64D Apaches belong to 301 'Redskins' Squadron which is based at Gilze-Rijen. It almost looks real; this photograph was made during the Air Power demo on the Saturday. Several AH-64D Apaches participated in the demonstration, including the Q-09, which is seen here while making a pass (with a lot of dark smoke in the background!). The Apaches role was to clear and secure the area, so that the next group of transport helicopters could enter the scene safely....

...like this AS.532U2 Cougar. This helicopter, with serial S-441, is seen here taking off after the delivery of an LSV (Luchtmobiel Speciaal Voertuig - Airmobile Special Vehicle). Five Cougars could been seen in action during the Air Power Demo on the Saturday. All the Cougars are based at Soesterberg AB and are assigned to 300 Squadron. In 1993, seventeen AS.532U2 Cougars were ordered and the first ten were delivered in 1996, followed in 1997 with the delivery of the remaining seven examples.

The Swiss Air Force participated with the Super Puma demo. This AS.532UL Cougar, with serial T-337 is seen here during the demonstration. The Hornet demo could be seen as well on both days.