Heldair Show Maritiem

Den Helder-De Kooy, the Netherlands

11 August 2007

Saturday 15 September saw an airshow being staged at the joint military/civil airfield of De Kooy near Den Helder under the title of Heldair Maritiem. Intended to demonstrate civil and military cooperation at this  airport and Naval Air Station, the show naturally had a maritime flavour due to its involvement with the Royal Netherlands Navy and the off-shore industry. Since the seventies, De Kooy has housed the Royal Netherlands Navy's Westland Lynx helicopters. Since the closure of Valkenburg, De Kooy now is the sole remaining Naval Air Station in the Netherlands

Of course, the based Lynx were much in evidence with two of them taking part in a set piece intended to demonstrate the liberation of passengers of a hijacked bus. First to be seen on Dutch soil in the colours of the Royal Netherlands Navy was the NH Industries NFH.90. Intended as the successor to the ageing Lynx, twenty have been ordered for the Dutch defence forces as a whole, with twelve intended as ship-borne helicopters and a further eight for tactical transport work. The example to the left has not yet been delivered however and is still undergoing tests with NH Industries.

Not all countries can afford such modern hardware. The Polish Navy is an example of a service that had solved its helicopter demand in a different way. This Kaman SH-2G Sea Sprite is one of four to have been delivered to the Navy's 28. Eskadra MW which operates most of this service's flying assets. The Sea Sprites were delivered along with a pair of used FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates  from the U.S. Navy. 

The Royal Netherlands Air Force was present with this AS.532U-2 Cougar light transport helicopter. Once, it was thought that after the NH.90 became available, these would be traded in for this new type. The Cougar did not take part in the show, but is seen here on take off for its return to Gilze-Rijen. Gilze-Rijen will also house most of the NH.90's within the new to form Defence Helicopter Command once they have been delivered, leaving a detachment at De Kooy. 

The static show included some light twins from neighbouring countries' navies. The Royal Navy's No. 750 sq sent this Jetstream T.2 over from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. Designed as business travel planes, the Jetstreams were taken on military strength early during the 70's as navigational trainers and survive to this day.

The German Navy brought this Dornier Do.228(LM) used for pollution control over the Baltic and North Sea. For this reason, the type has been nicknamed "Öl Do" in the German Navy, "Öl"  meaning oil and "Do" a reference to the aircraft's type designation. 

Other airshow acts included civilian teams as well as regular participants  like the Royal Jordanian Falcons, all under perfect blue skies.

The last display of the day was performed by the Breitling Jet Team. A French civilian team flying Estonian registered Aero L.39's, the Breitling team would be the pride of any Air Force as the nation's aerobatic team. Such is the level of professionalism and attractiveness of this team's show. The L.39's flew a very polished display to the tune of Sleeping Sun by Nightwish.

Thus ended this joint civil-military airshow, an experiment which is to be repeated!