Aviodrome Lelystad, Netherlands, lots of photos

[TobyV]

Last weekend I visited the Aviodrome Museum in Lelystad. Some on here will know that the Fokker 27 is a favourite of mine as it was the first aircraft I flew in. Also my first opportunity to go onboard a B747. Lovely museum, would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in aviation visiting the area.

[Kevin Farnell]

Thanks, Toby!

Exceptionally good photos, as always .
It's been on my bucket list for a long time.

Regards

Kevin

[Archer]

Great photos Toby! It certainly is a nice museum, although I may be slightly biased

[Nigel H-J]

Fantastic photos Toby, keep them coming in.

Regards
Nigel.

[petermcleland]

Great Pics Toby!...I had to save the one of an old DC3/C47 panel and noted that the Sperry Autopilot was "Out of Service" just like mine!

[TobyV]

Unfortunately the DC3 cockpit was completely perspexed off, without even a hole for poking a camera (which some of the other cockpits did have) and I never remember to get a polarising filter. Not possible to go on board the DC2, although that must be pretty interesting.

[Paul K]

Another great set of pictures, Toby. I never knew KLM operated the Grumman Tracker - or was it just used for ground training purposes ? I can't seem to find any info on the subject.

Also, Toby, was there any sign of the Dutch Catalina ? It used to be based at Lelystad, but might have moved on now.

[Archer]

The Grumman Tracker is indeed an instructional airframe. KLM used to train its own engineers and used a number of airframes for that. The Neptune at the Aviodrome is another one that arrived in KLM colours, neither of them ever flew with KLM of course. When still at Schiphol the museum had a Tracker standing outside in its correct MLD colours and although that one did move to Lelystad, it was kept outside as it was too far gone. With the arrival of the ex-KLM one I was sure that the old one was going to be scrapped but I think it is still around. The one in KLM colours is complete enough to enable it to be ground run and all the hydraulics work as well, there are some images on the various photo sites showing it in action at the museum. (and videos too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwVh1gVwtGI)

The Dutch Catalina is still at Lelystad although it is normally kept in its own hangar away from the museum. It operates from the museum during most weekends, offering trips that include a water landing. I shot this video a few weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ekYSBD2RE

[Paul K]

Archer, thanks very much for that. It's great to see the Tracker being given a run up. The Dutch Catalina used to be a regular visitor to Duxford's airshows, and would display with Plane Sailing's one. I don't think it's been over in recent years, however

[Hot_Charlie]

Looks a great little museum. It's odd how different the F50 looks externally with those horrible modern engines compared to the F27.