Dutch Air Force Days - Gilze Rijen June 21, 2014

[Jeroen]

Ik did visit a Classic Airshow in Lelystad back in 2009 and of course I was up in the air with the Dutch Dakota Association 2 weeks ago, but basically I'm pretty unexperienced with air shows. Came home with some nice pics but there is something to be improved when it comes to focusing, lighting and moments to capture. Still, for a huge event (180.000 spectators on the day I was there!!) and the limited access even for the press, there was enough spectacular stuff to experience! First time to see and hear a full throttle F16 for example (impressive!) and an event well organized.





Loads of F16 action of course













But enough lovely old stuff like the wonderful sound of the V12 Merlins in Spitfires!









Apache AH-64 demo



LOL



Packed indeed!



Spanish Air Force demo, only activity where I found they were taking quite some risks... guess I'm no expert!







B-25 Mitchell





Chinook firefighting demo with a Bambi water pocket... up to 2500 liters!



Impressive Lancaster bomber in an extensive demo















A little more F16 action





Dessert: Red Arrows Royal Air Force demo!













Any favorites?!

[arshad76]

Has to be the Lancaster and spitfire combination, superb photos as always!

[uwbuurman]

for sure. But they are all great pics, J!

[si.]

Good pics mate those f16's must've been hard to keep up with lol

I live near an old ww2 airfield called Duxford and also under a flight path often used by the RAF and USAF and quite often have this sort of thing fly overhead the lancaster has flown over lots i also get to hear the awesome racket a chinnock makes regularly

Just a thought Jeroen have a look online and see if you can find a programme that was aired recently on channel 4 (in the uk obv) called Guy Martin's Spitfire, its an hour long look at the most original and complete recreation of a mark1 spitfire flown by a famous pilot from start to finish, its brilliant and Guy Martin you might know as he is a famous superbike rider

Defo worth a watch

[Jeroen]

Thanks all! Simon, Duxford has a wonderful airshow of course, might want to go there one day! And I'll check for the Spitfire documentary!

Was quite lucky here as well. Near me there's a civilian airport that used to be the home base for the Dutch DC-3's, pity they moved to Schiphol Amsterdam as I miss having DC-3's flying over at least once a week. Oover on the other side I had a military base so Chinook's weren't rare either. Closed this base as well now, it's defo becoming more quiet here. Glad there are some nice events to make up for that.

[si.]

Well if you ever come to duxford let me know we are members i live just down the road

Also my missus has just pointed out that the lancaster will probably be flying over next sunday for rememberance day usually acompanied by a spitfire or two or maybe a hurricane

[Old Man]

Great pictures Jeroen - I like them all, into old war birds. I go to the Planes of Fame air show very year at the Chino Ca. air port. Last year the US Air Force did a demo fleet with the F22 Raptor, that plane is insane!

Thanks for sharing.

[Jeroen]

Thanks gents, and more recently I even boarded a DC-3 which was great fun as well. Planning to see at least one air show in 2015 again, will just be in Holland again. If I go on a trip I'd rather travel for some classic car races... already planning for that as well!