At the fence: Lelystad Airport [F-16's]

A couple of interesting aircraft emerged from the Satys paint shop at Lelystad Airport last week. Two Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force) F-16 Fighting Falcons.

F-16A's J-241 and J-245 outside of Satys's painting facility

The RNLASF decommissioned its last F-16's in September 2024 so these F-16's are clearly enjoying a second life as monuments. Let's explore their histories.

J-241

J-241 was built by Fokker under licence and was delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht on the 23rd of May, 1981. It served with 322 Squadron at Leeuwarden Air Base until March 1994 when it was transferred to 315 Squadron at Twenthe Air Base. There it remained until December 1995. Volkel was its next base, now with 311 Squadron. They flew J-241 until July 2000 when 312 Squadron also at Volkel took over this Falcon. There it remained until September 2001. 

J-241 at Lelystad

J-241 was not slated for modification to the F-16AM model and was retired from flying, entering a period of storage at Soesterberg Air Base. There it remained until January 2004 when it was transferred to the technical school in Tilburg in full 315 Squadron markings and sporting the false registration number 'J-315'. It was transferred to Eindhoven Air Base in March 2019 as an instructional airframe until it showed up at Lelystad for a fresh coat of paint. Now looking great in 315 Squadron markings J-241 is set to go on display at the Deltion College in Zwolle.

J-245

Like J-241 J-245 was built by Fokker and was delivered to 323 Squadron at Leeuwarden Air Base on September 1st, 1981. It served with 323 Squadron until January 1990 when it was ferried to Tucson in the United States as part of the 148th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron in full US Air Force markings. The Koninklijke Luchtmacht had transferred pilot training on the F-16 to the US and sent a number of F-16's to Tucson. 

J-245 at Lelystad

After service in the US it returned to Leeuwarden. J-245 was not selected for modification to the F-16AM and remained at Leeuwarden as an instructional aircraft. In December 2006 it was moved to Ramstein Air Base in Germany for display. After 20-odd years out in the open it was in need of a fresh coat of paint as well and will return to Ramstein after Satys is done with it. 

Another angle on J-245

Click on images to enlarge

Achtung Panzer - Soesterberg's Shermans [part I]

I recently learned of a surviving Sherman tank in Soesterberg. Not at the Nationaal Militair Museum (National Military Museum) as you would expect, but at the nearby Historische Collectie Regiment Bevoorrading & Transport (Historical Collection Regiment Supply & Transport). This is quite a fascinating Sherman, one of the British Firefly conversions with the long-barrel Quick Firing (QF) 17 Pounder (76.2mm anti-tank gun instead of the usual 75mm gun.

For this photo shoot I brought my Fuji GFX 100S II and two lenses, the Fujinon 45-100mm and the Pentax 645 75mm with a Pentax 645-Fuji GFX adapter. I've used two colour settings, the standard Provia film simulation and the Acros monochrome with red filter film simulation. All colours are straight from the camera.

Fujifilm GFX 100S II, SMC Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8, Provia film simulation

Meet the Sherman (Hybrid) Ic Firefly tank

GFX, Pentax 75mm, Provia film simulation

GFX, 45-105mm, Acros film simulation

So what can we learn from this tank? First, its manufacturer serial number (MSN) is 40438. This makes it an ALCO built M4. It was delivered to Britain via lend-lease and was called the Sherman I in British service. 

GFX, 45-105mm, Acros film simulation

This M4 however was a so-called hybrid or composite hull with cast forward armour and welded armour on the sides and back of the hull. That would give it the designation Sherman Hybrid I. 40438 was selected for conversion and received the QF 17 Pounder anti-tank gun, changing the designation to Sherman Ic (the letter 'c' meaning a 17 Pounder conversion). 17 Pounder conversions became known as Fireflies later.

GFX, 45-105mm, Acros film simulation

Another interesting detail is that this Sherman is fitted with the late production T49 tracks.

GFX, 45-105mm, Acros film simulation

After the war this Sherman was part of the Afsluitdijk defences and was dug in at Kornwederzand. Hence the stripped hull.

Markings

GFX, 45-105mm, Provia film simulation

This Sherman Firefly is preserved in the markings of the Canadian 'Three Rivers Regiment', part of the First Canadian Armoured Brigade and carries DW number T341213.

GFX, Pentax 75mm, Acros film simulation

GFX, Pentax 75mm, Acros film simulation

GFX, Pentax 75mm, Acros film simulation

Click on images to enlarge.