Dutch Modelling and Aviation

In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

On Monday, April 30, 2018, Wilko Jonker passed away after a long illness at the age of 58. He leaves behind a wife and two children. The Dutch military aviation and plastic model building were his hobby and on this website he has shared all the knowledge he has gathered about it over the many years. His hobby was able to distract him from the raging disease in his body until the last week of his life. The contacts with other hobbyists were a major support for him.

Agusta-Bell (I)UH-IB - Dutch Agusta-Bell AB-204Bs

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In 1961 seven helicopters of the type (I)UH-1 were bought and intended to use in (former) Dutch new Guinea. They were in use by no. 7 squadron based at naval air station Valkenburg. The type was mainly used for transport services and occasionally for SAR-tasks.
The undercarriage could be replaced with a floatation gear, but this configuration was rarely used. Two of the aircraft were in use with no. 1 squadron based at Hato.

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelikopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) bezig met een hijsoefening.
Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1, 222 during a lifting exercise. It is not equipped yet with inflatable floats and has a retractable hoist.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . In Italiaanse kleuren op het MVKV
Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 228, ex I-MUNI, still in Italian, civil colours at naval air station Valkenburg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

AB-204B, serial 228 was originally a civil aircraft (I-MUNI) and was bought on july 31, 1969 as a replacement for the crashed Agusta's 223 and 224.

In may 1978 the remaining Hueys were sold to Sky Controls Inc., Sun Valley, California. The aircraft were never used in the US, because of the Italian engines they were equipped with. After several years some of them were given to a Swedish museum.

At the end of the nineties Agusta-Bell 220 and 225 (and also 227?) were discovered there an returned to the Netherlands. The aircraft had still the original Dutch paint scheme applied; After being overhauled Agusta-Bell 225 is now on display at the Militaire Luchtvaart Museum at Soesterberg.

Further Agusta-Bell 227 was acquired in 2006 by Classic Aircraft Foundation and transported to the Netherlands for restoring it to flying condition. Also this aircraft  still had the original Dutch paint scheme applied.

Agusta-Bell 220 is now on display as gate guard at Naval Air Station 'De Kooy"

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . Hijslier oefening
Agusta-Bell 204B (I)UH-1 227 during a lifting exercise. Clearly visible are the inflatable floats.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 Air Sea Rescue (ASR)/transporthelikopter 225 (1963-1977).
Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 225.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . cockpit
Cockpit view of the Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 Air Sea Rescue (ASR)/transporthelikopter 220 (1962-1977) boven het vliegdek van het bevoorradingsschip Hr.Ms. Poolster (1964-1994).
Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 220 hoovering above the deck of Hr.Ms. Poolster.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Prins Bernhard bezoekt Den Helder en neemt plaats in de stoel van de piloot van een Agusta Bell 204B(I)UH-1.
Prince Bernhard visiting De Kooy and sitting here in the pilot's seat of an Agusta Bell 204B(I)UH-1.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

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