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.

Van Berkel WA

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History

The Van Berkel WA was a successful Dutch development of HansaBrandenburg W.12, of which an example was interned in April 1918.
Besides Trompenburg, there was no other aircraft manufacturer in the Netherlands at that time. The Navy requested, however to "Society for the manufacture of cutting machines, Van Berkel patents and other tools', or, in a shorter way, just 'Van Berkel", to start the production of aircraft and aircraft engines.
'Van Berkel" had thus far been successfully produced several military orders. In October 918, a contract for the construction of 35 aircraft was received, initially as a license of the W.12.
However, several necessary adjustments to the original design were implemented, including the undercarriage was enlarged. In fact another design was developed, which was known as Van Berkel WA.
Another difference compared to the Hansa Brandenburg W.12 that the ailerons in the wings were omitted.

The tubular steel construction of the undercarriage was covered with wood for streamline purposes.
The coolers of the NEI machines were also larger than those of the Netherlands-based machines. Sometimes, the coolers were tilted back.
The first VanBerkel WA was completed in July 1919 and exhibited at the ELTA, (First Air Traffic Exhibition Amsterdam).
With this prototype, such extensive tests were done, that it didn't survive these tests.

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 9,47 m Wingspan: 11,25 m
Height: 3,23 m Wing area: 35,30 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 997 kg Max. start weight: 1314 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 150 km/ Rate of climb:  
Range:   Service ceiling:  
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Mercedes D-III rated 160 hp
Crew: Two
Armament: .
The aircraft was in many ways a copy of the HansaBransenburg W.12 with some modifications, such as larger struts for the floats.

 


In service with RNlNAS.

The first production machine was transferred to the RNlNAS in September 1919.
Twenty of the thirty-five aircraft were intended for use in the Netherlands East Indies and received the registrations W.1 to W20.

The planes to be used in the Netherlands were registered W51 to W65. The registrations were not parallel with the construction numbers.
Technical Support is also built five machines from components supplied, these were the records W66 to W70.

The technical service of the RNlNAS had built several complete fuselages, which needed just to be mounted an applied with a serial of the original aircraft. To avoid problems with the license rights, also a few parts of the original device were added.

From October 1924 all remaining aircraft in the Netherlands had their fuselages replaced with a fuselage made of tubular steel instead of wood.
These fuselages were built at the Naval Air Station De Kooy, also the losses were compensated.
The rudder was enlarged to improve some of the water manoeuvrability. Also, the engines were replaced by BMW III engine, the cooler on the wing leading edge was moved to the nose.
The wooden floats were replaced with aluminium ones.

Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-3) (1919-1933) in de haven
Van Berkel WA, W-3 taxiing in the harbour.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-5) (1919-1933) met kapotte drijver. Op de achtergrond een jager van de roofdierklasse en Hr.Ms. Serdang
Van Berkel WA, W-5 with defective float; here in dark grey paint scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA [at Beeldbank NIMH[
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-5) (1919-1933) aan boord Hr.Ms. Pelikaan
Van Berkel WA, W-5 aboard Hr.Ms. Pelikaan
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-6) (1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA, W-6.
[Ingesloten foto van BeeldBank NIMH. Klik op de foto voor bestel-informatie]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-20) (1919-1933) komt aan boord van Hr.Ms. Java
Van Berkel WA, W-20 being hoisted aboard Hr.Ms. Java
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-14) (1919-1933). Schietoefeningen op het eilandje Amsterdam Noord van Tj Priok
Van Berkel WA (W-14) during shooting exercises at the isle Amsterdam  near Tjandjong Priok,
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Bemanning van en belangstellenden uit Atapoepoe (Timor) voor de lichte verkenner op drijvers Van Berkel WA W-8 (1920-1929)
Crew and some public from Atapoepoe (Timor) in front of Van Berkel WA W-8.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-12a) (1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA, W-12a.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-57) (1919-1933) met ZKH Prins Hendrik
Van Berkel WA, W57 with HRH Prince Hendrik.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Note the orange ball as national marking.
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-52) (1919-1933). In het Noord-Hollands kanaal
Van Berkel WA, W-52 in the so called Noord-Hollands kanaal.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-67) (1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA, W-67.
This is the Dutch version with a different, smaller radiator on the wing.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA, W-60 (1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA, W-60.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Note the dark grey scheme and the white serial.
Van Berkel WA lichte verkenningsvliegtuigen met drijvers (1919-1933) op het MVK de Mok
Van Berkel WA at naval air station De Mok.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Van Berkel WA W-59 (1919-1933) gecrasched in zee
Van Berkel WA, W-59 crashed in sea.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Note the national markings on top of the wing.
Van Berkel WA lichte drijververkenner, regnr W 53 ( 1919-1933)
Van Berkel WA, W53 after being modified with new fuselage and new engine.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-51) (1919-1933). Een vette pit wordt verholpen door Beugeling
Van Berkel WA, W-51. Some engine trouble being repaired by Beugeling.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-53) (1919-1933) met mercedesmotor
Van Berkel WA, W-53 with Mercedes engine
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-66) (1919-1933) op de Mok
Van Berkel WA, W-66 at naval air station De Mok.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verkenningsvliegtuig Van Berkel WA (W-70) (1919-1933) landing nabij Hr.Ms. Jacob van Heemskerck
an Berkel WA, W-70 landed near Hr.Ms. Jacob van Heemskerck.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial
Serial
 Construction nr.
Construction nr.
 Date in service
Date in service
 Date out of service
Date out of service
 Notes
Notes
Used in Netherlands East Indies.
W-1 2 10-1919 1924 Entered service in oktober 1919.
W-2 4 10-1919 16-08-1928 Entered service in oktober 1919. Written off.
W-3 5 11-1919 1924 Entered service in November 1919. Written off 1924.
W-4 6 11-1919 1932 Entered service in November 1919. Written off 1932.
W-5 7 11-1919 1929 Entered service in November 1919. Written off 1929.
W-6 3 11-1919 1929 Entered service in November 1919. Written off 1929.
W-7   1920 1929 Entered service in 1920. Out of service in 1929.
W-8   1920 1929 Entered service in 1920. Out of service in 1929.
W-9   1920 1932 Entered service in 1920. Written off 1932.
W-10   1920 1924 Entered service in 1920. Written off 1924.
W-11   1920 1922 Entered service in 1920. Written off 1922.
W-12   1920 1932 Entered service in 1920. Written off 1932.
W-12A   1920 1929 Entered service in 1920. Written off 1929.
W-14   1920 1929 Entered service in 1920. Out of service in 1929.
W-15   1921 1924 Entered service in 1921. Out of service in 1921.
W-16   1921 02-06-1927 Entered service in 1921. Crashed in Java Sea.
W-17   1921 1932 Entered service in 1921. Out of service in 1932.
W-18   1921 1932 Entered service in 1921. Out of service in 1932.
W-19   1921 1922 Entered service in 1921. Written off 1922.
W-20   1921 1929 Entered service in 1921. Out of service in 1929.
W-21   1923 1929 Built from the remains of W-11 and W-19. Entered service in 1932. Out of service 1929.
Used in the Netherlands.
W-51 8 12-1919 1933  
W-52 9 11-12-1919 1933  
W-53 10 16-12-1919 1933  
W-54 11 18-12-1919 02-09-1930  
W-55 12 29-12-1919 1933  
W-56 13 1920 1933  
W-57 1 1920 28-11-1924  
W-58   1920 1933  
W-59   1920 1933  
W-60   1920 1933  
W-61   11920 1933  
W-62   1920 1933  
W-63   1920 1933  
W-64   1920 1933  
W-65   1920 1933  
W-66   1924 1933  
W-67   1924 1933  
W-68   1924    
W-69   1924 1933  
W-70   1924 1933  

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • CzechMaster
    • Kit 031/5003/5004: Resin kit for a Hansa Brandenburg W.12/II and W.12/V, which can be converted.

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Kit --: --.

Decals

  • --
    • Kit --: ---.

1/48th Scale

Kits

  • --
    • Kit --: --

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Kit --: --.

Decals

  • --
    • Kit --: ---.

 


Scheme Colour name FS number BS-number Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air
Delivery scheme Underside Light grey     129 X317 70.986  
Upperside fuselage, wings etc. Dark Grey     92   70.833?  
Struts, floats etc. Black ~7038   33   70.950  
Standard scheme from 1925 and on
Standard scheme #2 Overall Light Sea grey     129 X317 70.986  

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 

VanBerkel WA-NEI-1-SMALL
Delivery scheme VanBerkel WA, used in Dutch East Indies.
VanBerkel WA-NEI-2-SMALL
Colour scheme VanBerkel WA, , used in Dutch East Indies.
VanBerkel WA-NEI-3-SMALL
Colour scheme VanBerkel WA, used in Dutch East Indies
VanBerkel WA-NEI-4-SMALL
Colour scheme VanBerkel WA, used in Dutch East Indies.

 

VanBerkel WA-NEI-1-SMALL
Delivery scheme of Dutch trainer version VanBerkel WA.
VanBerkel WA-NEI-2-SMALL
Colour scheme of Dutch trainer version VanBerkel WA .
VanBerkel WA-NEI-3-SMALL
Colour scheme of Dutch trainer version VanBerkel WA .

 

VanBerkel WA-NEI-1-SMALL
Colour scheme of modified trainer of the VanBerkel WA.
VanBerkel WA-NEI-2-SMALL
Colour scheme of modified trainer of the VanBerkel WA.

 


Literature.

Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 14 - 18 1977 Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof Pag. 13 - 14 1978 Uitgever Omniboek, 's Gravenhage
Vliegen voor de Vloot: 70 jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst Har J,. Hazewinkel Pag. 12   Uitgever Rebo Produkties, Sassenheim
AVIA; 40e jaargang nummer 1: Foto van Van Berkel WA W9 (donkere bovenzijde)   Pag. 85 1981 Uitgever Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
De Nederlandse Vliegtuigen: Alle vliegtuigen ooit in Nederland ontworpen en gebouwd Theo Wesselink & Thijs Thijs Postma Pag. 19 - 20 1982 Uitgever Romen Luchtvaart, Haarlem
Nederlandse vliegtuigen naar buitenlands ontwerp Theo Wesselink & Thijs Postma Pag. 23 - 26 1984 Uitgever Romen Luchtvaart, Haarlem
40 Jaar luchtvaart in Indië Gerard Casius & Thijs Postma Pag. 14 1986 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80, The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls Bart van der Klaauw, pag. 54 - 59 1999 Uitgever Key Publishing,Stamford
85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld: Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter Peter Korbee Pag. 28 - 29 2002 Uitgever Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg

 

Websites.

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