Inproject Texel Airshow 2007

After years of absence, the previous edition was held in 2001, the Texel Airshow took place on July 21. Texel is the largest isle of the Netherlands and has a grass runway and is mainly used for private flights. Although being organised as a civil airshow, a variety of military aircraft could be seen at the airfield, including fast jets like a Spanish Hornet and a French AlphaJet and even large aircraft like an E-3 AWACS and a KDC-10 were participating in the flying display.

More and more Yakovlevs enter the airshow circuit. One of them is this Yakovlev Yak-52 with serial RA-3411K and code 62. It is seen here on static display.

A few military helicopters could be seen at Texel. One of them was this Royal Netherlands Air Force AB-412SP with serial R-03, which is based at Leeuwarden AB. The air force operates three of this type for search and rescue duties only. In case of an emergency, the helicopters are also used to transport people from the isles to a hospital on the mainland.

Another military helicopter was this SH-14D Lynx with serial 268. The Royal Netherlands Navy Lynx fleet is based at nearby MVK De Kooy. They were on standby as a reserve display act.

The RAF Tucano Display couldn't be seen at the largest military airshow in Europe; the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford earlier this year. At Texel, the crowd was able to see the display flown by Flight Lieutenant Bobby Moore with this Tucano T1 (with serial ZF339) from 1FTS based at Linton on Ouse.

The Spanish Air Force displayed the capabilities of their F/A-18 Hornet. The Hornet flew from Kleine Brogel, Belgium, to the north of the Netherlands to do a display. F/A-18C Hornet with serial C.15-27/15-14 is seen here while making a steep climb.

Two passes were made by a Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10, serial T-235. The KDC-10 is one of the tyes that 334 Squadron is operating from their homebase Eindhoven AB.

Another 'big' participant was this E-3 AWACS from the NATO based at Geilenkirchen, Germany. Two passes were made as well. The E-3 with a special livery was expected to appear at Texel but, unfortunately for some of the photographers, a 'regular' example with serial LX-N90442, showed up instead.

A few warbirds were present as well. Among them was this Spitfire. It is nice to see such aircraft flying from a grass runway instead of a hardened runway.

A few worldwide well known display teams flew their display during the day. The participation of the 'Blue Eagles' was unfortunately cancelled. The Breitling Team could be seen at the end of the day. The Royal Jordanian Falcons were also present and have no problems at all to land on a grass runway with their Extra 300s.

After all a very nice day at Texel! Let's hope that we don't have to wait that long for the next edition...