The Team
During my time as a development engineer at the Royal Netherlands Air Force Depot during the ‘80s, the features and beauty of the LN-3 Inertial Navigation System of the Starfighter were inspiring me to bring this system back to life. Now, being part of the HVV, we have the pleasure of owning a live LN-3 system, on display.
With a background in electronics my daytime job is now confined to airborne Electronic Warfare systems for the Defense Material Organisation, and during HVV moments dedicated to F-104G avionics.
I am a mechanic, metal worker and welder.
During my military service I was employed as a driver at 311 Squadron. I drove the pilots to their plane and controlled the tractor that towed F-16s and ground equipment.
I provide support to the HVV with maintenance and repair of ground equipment and making new constructions.
I started my Air Force career as a spec. J65 engines and with the arrival of the F-104 G as spec J-79. Later I changed for aircraft maintenance working for 306 Sqn and as flight-chief CAV / Cross-servicing.
Reorganizations brought me a logistic staff job. This gave me insight in the totally different world of planned maintenance and logistics. After my F-16 course I worked at 311 sqn to gain experience. A few years later I returned to the logistic staff as a floor manager.
Not long after this I became line-chief for 306 Sqn. The last years before retirement I worked 306 Recce and made several sidesteps to fill gaps where I was needed.
I joined the HVV back in 2015 during my internship as a graphic designer (with the 900 Squadron 'Painters Shop' at Volkel Airbase).
At the HVV I make different designs for promotional materials. I'm also a general volunteer and I have the privilege to get taught by professionals about the aircraft.
I joined the HVV during my internship at Volkel Air Base as a B.1.1 mechanic student, back in 2008. At the HVV I’m an allround aircraft mechanic and photographer.
Besides my work as a volunteer at the HVV I work at a pharmaceutical company in Oss as an engineer.
I’m a retired Royal Netherlands Air Force airman and have worked at the 311 Squadron at Volkel Air Base. During my time as an active duty member (in which I was also known as “The Gambler”) I’ve worked on the F-104G and the F-16. First in maintenance, later as a crew chief and flight chief, and finally I became a hangar chief until my retirement in 2000.
In 2016 I visited the HVV and it instantly brought back that feeling everyone who’s been in the air force and around fighter jets knows too well. So I didn’t hesitate and joined the HVV.
After school I joined the Royal Netherlands Air Force as a conscripted soldier. During my enlistment I was infected with the virus called flying and during my 10 years at the air force I flew the Fokker S-11, Fouga Magister. T-Bird, NF-5 and the Starfighter. When I left the air force I started flying as a commercial pilot for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
In 2007 I retired, but I’m still in the possession of a current pilot license. Right now I’m a spokesperson for the Historische Vliegtuigen Volkel (HVV).
In 1972 I started my career as an aircraft technician in the RNLAF. I became crew chief of the maintenance crew in the in 1980 started team with testbed J-646. After 3 years doing this I had the opportunity to learn flying, which I did, to become instructor in the F-16 procedure and combat simulator until my retirement in 2004.
In 2005 I joined the Historische Vliegtuigen Volkel (HVV) because it is a great project and the history should be kept alive. And in my opinion not only visual but also audible.
After retirement I also educated young A1 and B2 students in the Engine and Propellor Modules for both civil and military aircraft.
I’m a B.1.1 F-16 specialist at 900 Squadron, Volkel Air Base. As an active duty service member I’m assigned as the military point of contact (POC) for the HVV.
I am a retired weapons technician and I have been working as a specialist at 312 squadron and at 900 squadron as work center chief OFF equipment. After my military service, as a civilian, I guided VEVA students at Volkel Air Base. In the past, I have been working on the F-104G and the F-16.
After my renewed first job on the F-104G, I joined the HVV. I hope to use my knowledge and skills to make the F-104G usable again in the field of weapon technology.
Since 1980 I am an aviation enthusiast and an F-104 fan. Unlike my colleagues, I have no military background.
I support the Historische Vliegtuigen Volkel with the ground equipment and related matters.
With more than 30 years of experience with metal constructions I try to make myself useful in maintenance, repair and new constructions.
When I grew up my dad was an F-104G crew-/flight-chief at 312 Squadron. The F-104 virus stuck and never left. Besides my day job I am also part of the Aviation PhotoCrew, an international team of photographers that organize air-to-air photography projects during airshows throughout Europe.
After visiting the Historical Vliegtuigen Volkel regularly over the last 15 years and supporting them passively as well as a donator, I joined the DSF/HVV at the end of 2019, tasked with communication.
I joined the Airforce in 1969 as a professional soldier in the armament department at Volkel air base. I have been working there for 12 years in various departments: the ejection seat workshop, B&E squadron maintenance workshop, 312 Sqn and the Firing Range.
After further study, I switched to Logistics where I held various positions. I fulfilled my final position as Cdt Logistics at the KMA, after which I left the service.
All the time the Starfighter has remained my pet and I have had the pleasure of working on it
After a 35 year long career as an avionics technician and instructor with the Royal Netherlands Air Force I became an attendant for the Historical Room Typhoon in 2001.
In 2004, together with Bas Leusink, I started the Starfighter Rescue Team, which later would be named Historische Vliegtuigen Volkel (HVV).
Nowadays I’m a B2 (avionics) technician, specialist painting and stencilling, and manager for technical publications for the HVV.
I joined the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1966 and retired in 2002. During my time in the Air Force, I have been working 13 years as an Avionics Specialist for the F-104G Starfighter at Volkel Air base. Beside that I have been working as a Business Expert and was stationed at several locations within the Air Force.
After retiring I was a volunteer in the Royal Netherlands Walking Association. In July 2017 I met a former colleague during the Nijmegen Vierdaagse who told me that a team of former colleagues are performing the restauration of an F-104G Starfighter. That triggered me and I went to Volkel Air Base to see what is going on there. No doubt, I've joined the HVV-team right away.
I got to know the Starfighter when I started my hobby as an aviation enthusiast in 1968 and expanded my acquaintance during my time in military service at the 306 photo reconnaissance squadron.
I've been working in a photography store for 35 years. So I can truly say that photography has become a part of me. Some time ago, I "retired" and now have plenty of time for our grandchildren, gardening, photography, and aviation.
I expect to make myself useful at the Historische Vliegtuigen Volkel by photographing all the spare parts in storage. Beside that task, I offer support and assistance to the other activities and - of course - the Orpheus working group.
I work at the Royal Netherlands Air Force 312 squadron as a crewchief/mechanic and I'm a longtime aviation enthusiast.
I am one of the mechanics at the HVV team as well as one of the photographers.
I joined the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1978 and have been working as a Specialist VO / Specialist Aircraft Maintenance F-104 until 1984. In 1984 I was retrained to Specialist VO / Specialist Aircraft Maintenance F-16. From 1985 to 1998 I've been working at the X-Service. After this, I was employed at 311 Squadron as a Crew Chief, Flight Chief and Line Chief until 2012.
When the 311 Squadron ceased to exist on September 29, 2012, I left the Air Force.
