Soesterberg
Soesterberg Air Base , June 6th , 1990 (Aircraft Spotter’s Event)
November 7, 2014 | HansHaving received an invitation from the Base Commander and the C.O. 32nd Tactical Fighter Group , Hans went to Soesterberg Air Base , where an aircraft spotters gathering was organized on June 6th, 1990.
Soesterberg (NL), “50 Years Liberation” Open Days, April/May, 1995
May 29, 2013 | HansIn 1995 it was commemorated that 50 year ago World War II ended and therefore Air Base Soesterberg was open to the public from April 29th to May 7th. Each day there were flying activities and demonstrations in the sky , given by a number of Warbirds that were present. Hans made a selective photo-report.
Soesterberg AB (NL), August 31st, 1984 (pre show)
January 7, 2013 | HansAugust 31st , 1984 was one day before the actual Open Day took place at Soesterberg AB , the Netherlands and the gates were already open to the public. Hans decided to go there and take a look . The 4 German Phantoms in formation attracted much attention. These are the pictures he made during that day.
Base Visit CNA/Soesterberg (NL), November 16th, 1979
November 4, 2012 | FrankNovember 16 ,1979. Extreme cold weather and dark clouds prevented the 25th anniversary of the American presence in Holland to be an enjoyable outdoor event. A small static display and an air display marked this historic milestone. A selective audience had been invited to attend this event at Camp New Amsterdam. Highlight of the static display was an ex-Portuguese AF Sabre. Applied with green stripes over the tail the aircraft had quickly been repainted in colours of 32nd FDS. The paint was still wet and USAF roundels were made of paper and sticked to the fuselage.
Depots of the Dutch Militaire Luchtvaart Museum (MLM), Soesterberg (NL), 1994 – present
October 29, 2012 | Hans & FrankIn the vicinity of the village of Soesterberg the Royal Netherlands Air Force has its museum; until 2011 they opened the depots for the public once in a year ; these depots are situated at the nearby former air base, where they store the remaining aircraft. Hans and Frank visited the depots in 1994 , 2005 and 2008.
USAF Thunderbirds demoteam: F-16’s, Soesterberg (NL), June 12th, 1984
October 25, 2012 | HansDuring their European Tour in 1984 the U.S.Air Force’s Flight Demonstration Team The Thunderbirds with their F-16’s also visited Soesterberg Air Base in the Netherlands on June 12th. The public had free access to the Base for the duration of the show and many thousands of people watched and admired the team’s flying skills. Hans was one of the spectators and took the pictures in this gallery , although three of the slides used were acquired via swopping with one of his correspondents at the time.
Soesterberg (NL) Pre Show Day, September 11th, 1981
October 25, 2012 | HansOn September 11th , 1981 , the day before the actual Open Day at Soesterberg AB took place , the public had already (limited) access to the field . Due to heavy overcast and frequent rainshowers there wasn’t much demo-flying activity , but the Static Show on the ground was satisfactory , including amongst others an F-5E Tiger II of the American “Agressors”-squadron , based at Alconbury , U.K. Hans likes to show you some scans of the colour-slides he took on the 11th.
Soesterberg Open Day (NL), June 3th, 1972
October 24, 2012 | Hans & FrankOne of the 2 Open Days held in Holland in 1972 and attended by both Hans and Frank ,was the one at Soesterberg AB, on June 3rd. ; unfortunately the only foreigners were an F-111 that made two high passes and a USAF Phantom.The static show consisted of the entire inventory of the Dutch Air Force and Dutch Navy. Same for the afternoon airshow.
Soesterberg Air Base (NL) Open Day, June 17th, 1967
October 18, 2012 | HansTwo K.Lu. Open Days took place in 1967 : one was organized at Eindhoven AB in September and the other one at Soesterberg AB in June. This gallery shows you some black & white pictures taken at Soesterberg by Hans. The Hawker Hunters of nr.325 squadron were still going strong at the time!
Soesterberg /MLM- Kamp van Zeist / MLM-Soesterberg (NL), 1980 – 2013
September 29, 2012 | Hans & FrankThe Royal Netherlands Air Force Museum (MLM) was established at Soesterberg Air Base in 1968 and moved to a location nearby the village of Soesterberg , called Kamp van Zeist , in 1980 . In this gallery Hans and Frank show you a selection of photographs they made there in the course of time , representing its interesting collection of military aircraft. Dating back to the years 2011 to 2013 also a number of pictures are included , taken in the shelter area of Camp New Amsterdam and in the new housing of the museum at the former air base .
In December 2014 a magnificent , new National Military Museum (NMM) has been opened to the public at the former Air Base . more than worth while visiting !