Royal Netherlands Air Force
Aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
dated 2009 until 2025
(click on an image to enlarge an artwork)
send a message
F 35 Joint Strike Fighter (Order No. KLU-170)
2024
The F35 Joint Strike Figher, the successor of the F16, seen here over Volkel Air Base during a take off.
North American AT-16 Harvard (Order number: KLU-140)
2022The North American AT-16 Harvards were used from 1947 to 1964 for the advanced pilot training from Gilze Rijen Air Base, the B-8 was scrapped in 1964.
Piper Supercub L-21 (Ordernumber KLU-150)
2022This Piper Supercub with registration number R-123 crashed on the Ermelose Heide on 27 September 1965, killing both occupants. This painting was commissioned.
Lockheed F 104G Starfighter (Order number KLU-150)
2022This F104 G Starfigter with registration D-8114 is currently being restored at Volkel Air Base.
Port wheel of landing gear Lockheed F104 Starfighter (Order number: KLU-91)
2020Port wheel of landing gear Lockheed F104 Starfighter.
Lockheed F104G Starfighter (Order number: KLU-90)
2016The Lockheed F-104G Starfighter was the Royal Netherlands Air Force's first supersonic aircraft. The Air Force received 120 single-seat and 18 two-seat Starfighters and served from 1962 to 1984.
Hawker Hunter Mk4 (Order number: KLU-130)
2020Two Hawker Hunters Mk4 of 322 SQN over an archipelago of Dutch New Guinea, both with the flag of Papua Barat (West Papua) on the tail. These two Hunters, the N-110 and N-111, are the only two to fly briefly with this image on the tail in 1962.
Two Dutch F16s (Order number: KLU-82)
2019Two early Dutch F16s above Burg Hohenzollern.
General Dynamics F16 (Order number: KLU-80)
2015The F-16 Fighting Falcon was chosen in the 1970s as the successor to both the F104 Starfighter and the NF-5 Freedom Fighter. Leeuwarden Air Base (Squadron 322 and 323) was the first to be equipped with this type in 1979, after which in the following years Twente and Volkel Air Base (Squadron 306-312 and 313) were also equipped. Protection of the territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and participation in strategic air operations are the main tasks of the F-16. The F-16s have undergone several updates and have resulted in the version that is still operational. After a long and successful service in the RNLAF, it will be retired in 2023.
General Dynamics F16 (Order number: KLU-81)
2014General Dynamics F16
Boeing AH-64D Apache (Order number: KLU-71)
2018A Boeing AH-64D Apache of the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC) of the RNLAF departing for a mission in Uruzgan Province (Afghanistan).
Boeing AH-64D (Order number: KLU-70)
2014The Boeing AH-64D “Apache” Attack Helicopter was developed in the mid-70’s on order of the US Amry. The lessons learned from Vietnam were to be incorporated in the design (with the AH-1 “Cobra” being an example), but primarily there was demand for a system that could answer the call for defending the plains of West-Germany against Soviet advancing armor. A quick employment of heavy and a multitude of weapons to the place where Soviet armor would want to try and breakthrough. After the Cold War period, the Apache helicopter served effectively in almost all conflicts with Western participation. Primarily the role of sensor platform and direct support of troops on the ground was hereby taken on. The Apache has proven itself many times in Afghanistan as an indispensable and last resort for ground forces in need. Also in Mali, the Apache helicopter (flying under the UN flag) protected different Nationalities, who provided “blue helmets” to the MINUSMA mission, contributing to the stability of the country.
Beechcraft AT-7 and Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard. (Order number: KLU-120)
2018Beechcraft AT-7 The first copies were received in 1950 from US surplus stocks. The aircraft were used for the training of crew members of multi-engine aircraft and were assigned to the AVOT (Supplementary Flight Training for Two-Engines) and later also to the TransVA and its successor, the 334 squadron. The last Beechcrafts were retired in 1959. Noorduyn AT-16 Havard. After the Second World War these aircraft were taken over in large numbers from various countries such as England, South Africa and Canada. The Harvards served at the Advanced Flying Training at Gilze-Rijen. The aircraft were taken out of service in the course of 1962.
Gloster Meteor Mk8 (Order number: KLU-110)
2018Two Gloster Meteors Mk 8 of 326 SQN of the RNLAF above the Dutch river delta.
Northrop NF5-A (Order number: KLU-100)
2017Northrop NF5-A
North American F-86K Sabre (Order number: KLU-40)
2019The North American F-86K “Sabre” had the nickname “the Cheesehunter”. These aircraft were delivered in October 1955 to the RNLAF, following the MDAP agreement. It was a kind jet-aircraft without unpleasant surprises in handling. The aircraft was retired in 1964. This specific aircraft is in display in the National Military Museum, Soesterberg.
Republic F84F Thunderstreak. (Order number: (KLU-51)
2015This Republic F84F “Thunderstreak” with US registration FS-708 was attained from the US Air Force in January 1955. During a Life Firing Exercise (LFX) on the Vlieland Range this aircraft got into engine problems and crashed in the Eierlands polder, killing its pilot.
Republic F84F Thunderstreak. (Order number: (KLU-50)
2011The Republic F84F Thunderstreak is an American-built jet fighter. This type served with the RNLAF as an air defense fighter in the days of the cold war from 1955 to 1970. In the 1950s and 1960s, the “Streak” was the backbone of NATO's Tactical Air Forces and the Netherlands in particular. The last official flight with a RNLAF “Streak” took place on December 21, 1970. After that, a number of aircraft got a new career as gatekeepers and instructional devices. The plane painted here still flies with the old colors that were used until 1959, for after 1959 all “Tunderstreaks” flew in camouflage colors.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk9 (Order number: KLU-10)
2015Supermarine Spitfire Mk9. This Spitfire was purchased by the RNLAF in 1948 and was assigned to 322 SQN with registration H-25 in the Dutch East Indies. After returning to the Netherlands, it was assigned to the Dutch 'Jacht Vlieg School' (Fighter Pilot School). After an accident during landing in November 1949 she went to Fokker for repairs. In April 1951 she received the registration 3W-17 before being retired in 1953.
Aerospatiale Alouette III (Order number: (KLU-60)
2014The Aerospatiale Alouette III was used by the RNLAF is service of the Army for reconnaissance flights and artillery fire control. C2 and transport tasks were also performed with this type.
Lockheed T33-A (Order No. KLU-32)
2025Lockheed T33-A (T-bird)
Lockheed T33-A (Order number: KLU-30)
2010The Lockheed T33-A was mainly used as a training aircraft. Initially with 313 SQN at Volkel airbase and later for the Transition Flight Training at Woensdrecht and Twente airbases.
Republic F84E Thunderjet (Order number: KLU-20)
2009In 1951, the RNLAF received 186 of these Thunderjets from America. Because of its shape, it was called the flying Coke bottle. These hunters were taken out of service in 1956.