Northrop NF-5 display teams 1970 - 1988

The first displays.

The first display in the Netherlands with the Northrop NF-5 was at June 20. The type had just entered service as successor of the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.
The display pilot was captain Van Harten, 315 squadron, air base Volkel.
Also displays were flown at Open Days of the Royal Netherlands Air Force with the NF-5. A famous manoeuvre was the "Knife Edge", a horizontal flight with 90 degrees angle. This was possible because of the large tail and the centreline tank.

Period 1975 until 1978

In the period between 1975 and 1978 captain Pieter Smith, 316 squadron, air base Gilze-Rijen, flew the solo displays with the NF-5.

1975

In 1975 a show was flown at the air show Florennes, Belgium.
The first official national show was flown on August 30, 1975 at the Open day at air base Volkel. No special display scheme was applied. The configuration used was no outward pylons and an empty centreline tank. This tank provided extra lift and stability during certain manoeuvres such as inverted flights.

1976

In 1976 NF-5A, K-3031, was used for display flights because the jubilee of 25 years squadron 311, air base Volkel.

1977

In 1977 about ten shows were flown, including an show at the International Air Tattoo, Greenham Common on June 24 and June 25, 1977. Pieter Smith obtained the third price for foreign participants. July 18, 1977 at the open day at air base Gilze-Rijen Pieter flew a solo display together with the "Hike"-team.

1978 - 1979

In 1978 a display team called 'Double Dutch' was formed. Airmen were captain Pieter Smith and flying officer Frits van Leeuwenburgh. Aircraft used were K-3048 en K-3031. NF-5A K-3066 was spare.
The program was a mirrored display, each NF-5 flying the same display. First official display was in France at the Open Day at air base Cambrai, June 4, 1978.

June 17, 1978 the Royal Netherlands Air Force existed 65 years. A large air show was organised at air base Deelen.
The NF-5 display aircraft were applied with a special display scheme. The tail was painted in red, white and blue. The silhouette of a harrier, the squadron symbol of 316 squadron, was applied in the white part.
Unfortunately the solo display was cancelled due to technical problems.
[A photo shows the undersides of K-3031 which seems to be sprayed with aluminium dope. At that time corrosion problems occurred with the Dutch NF-5's.]

A display NF-5A ready for take off. Special markings on the vertical tail in red, white and blue with the squadron marking and the text "NF-5".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Elt Frits van Leeuwenburgh in front of a Northrop NF-5 of the display team "HIKE-team / Double Dutch".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Major Pieter Smith in front of a Northrop NF-5 of the display team "HIKE-team / Double Dutch".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Major Pieter Smith and first lieutenant Frits van Leeuwenburgh both standing in front of a  Northrop NF-5 of the display team "HIKE-team / Double Dutch".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Two NF-5A's flying low over the country side.
Both aircraft have special display markings on the vertical tail in red, white and blue with the squadron marking and the text "NF-5" 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Twee NF-5A's landing with use of their drag parachute.
Both aircraft have special display markings on the vertical tail in red, white and blue with the squadron marking and the text "NF-5" 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Also a photo is known of K-3031, with the root of the tail painted partly in a gold colour.
Most probably the reason is that 316 squadron celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1978.  I still haven't managed to find the reason for this. An example of this scheme can be found at The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast Page

A model of a Northrop NF-5A display 1979.
Kit used it the (first) Revell release (equal to the ESCI kit).
Decals from kit plus Dutch Decal set 72010 and 72016.

January, 1979 a NATO Tigermeet was organised and Pieter Smith flew a display.
July 23 and July 24, 1979 an display was flown at the International Air Tattoo, Greenham Common. Again Major Pieter Smith became third for best solo jet display and also won the Embassy Jet Aerobatic Trophy.
Just before the Air Tattoo NF-5 K-3041 and K-3028 (both 313 squadron) were applied with a special display scheme.
Pieter Smith flew his last display with K-3028 at air base Gilze-Rijen because of 10 years Stichting Vliegsport Gilze-Rijen.
Because he was very busy and because of private matters, Pieter Smith stopped display flying in 1979.
August 14, 1979 he received a certificate of satisfaction from colonel B. van der Spek on behalf of the Commander of the Air Force, because of he represented the Royal Netherlands Air Force in a worthy and excellent way during the period of 1975 until 1979.

Colour scheme display team 1978.

A model of a Northrop NF-5A of solo display team 1979, built by Adri Kleijn.

1979 and 1980

Majoor Smith was succeeded by flying officer Hans Könings, 313 squadron, air base Twenthe. Hans used two NF-5's, painted in a special display scheme: K-3028 en de K-3041. These were alternatively used.
In September 1979 Hans Könings flew his first official display at the open day at air base Twenthe. Also shows were flown in France, England and Germany.

A NF-5A in display paint scheme flying above the clouds.
The camouflage colours are clearly visible.

The nose has the squadron marking of no 313 squadron applied.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

The front section of NF-5A K-3028 in display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

snowplough LM 45-92 in front of a NF-5A in display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

The front section of NF-5A K-3028 in display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

NF-5A with display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

NF-5A K-3028 with display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Colour scheme display team 1979.

For the new season 1980 a new display schema was developed. The same aircraft were still used. Both kept their paint scheme, but an orange ribbon was added on the nose. Also on the left side of the nose the badge of squadron 313 was replaced with the badge of squadron 315.
Alas Hans Könings crashed during a training flight near Gilze-Rijen and the display flying with the NF-5 suddenly ended.

Colour scheme display team 1980.

1981 en 1982

In December 1980 an attempt was made to continue display flying with the NF-5. Four pilots, all based at air base Twenthe, subscribed. One of them being captain Fons Hemmelder.
Due to the accident of Könings and a research to the causes of this accident, an entirely new program was developed.
The NLR calculated the program and also a test flight was done with K-3001 from Test group Volkel.
Also several flights were made together with Pieter Smith.
In the beginning the displays were flown with K-3028 en de K-3041, the badge of 313 squadron was replaced with the badge of 315 squadron and an anti glare panel was added.

Together with A.Th. J. Grashuis, chief of the painting workshop, a new paint scheme, the so called "Dart scheme", was developed.
Grashuis also designed the previous scheme.
Spring 1981 both K-3019 and K-3024 were sprayed in the new scheme. At first the original camouflage scheme was partly visible, but later this was sprayed overall with grey.

NF-5A K-3024 in special display scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Colour scheme display team 1981

The team was extended with a coach, flying officer Jaap Meijer. The tasks of this coach were Public Relations, planning; support.
A display was flown on June 27 and June 28 at the International Air Tattoo, Greenham Common.
Fons Hemmelder received price for best solo jet display and also received the Embassy Jet Aerobatic Trophy.

At the open day at Soesterberg,September 12, 1981 a display was flown, standby was Piet Vley in K-3019.
The configuration used during display flight was, empty centreline-tank; empty wing-pylons and empty tip-tanks; just the internal fuel tank was used.

Fons Hemmelder flew his last display in September 1981

1982 until 1985

Fons Hemmelder was succeeded by flying officer Hans Iseke, 314 squadron air base Eindhoven. his coach was chief flying security air base Eindhoven and a technical crew consisting of J. Kerkhoff; G. Gerritsen; P. Hogerveen en J. Wondergem.
Initially the original program of Hemmelder was used.

Later new elements were added, after being calculated by NLR.

Northrop NF-5A Display photographed at the the Open Day Dutch Air Force, September 1984 at air base Soesterberg.

Display NNF-5A.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Display NF-5A flying over sea near a Dutch harbour
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Colour scheme NF-5 display team 1982-1985.

October 21, 1982 the first official display was flown at air base Eindhoven.
Two new aircraft, K-3026 and K-3021 were equipped with a new paint scheme. This scheme was designed by chief paint workshop, air base Eindhoven, Toon Schröer. December 9, 1982 K-3021 was finished, K-3026 was just finished April 6, 1983.
The first official display was at air base Skrydstrup, Danmark.
Because of 70 years RNlAF,June 11,1983 an Open Day was organised at air base Deelen. During the display Iseke got a bird-hit against the canopy, so he ended his display.
Other displays were flown at the Air Tattoo, Greenham Common and at USAFE base Ramstein.

April 17, 1985 Hans Iseke and his coach Joop Tichelaar received a certificate of satisfaction from the Commander of the Air Force.
August 31, 1985 the last displays were flown, in the morning at air base Eindhoven and in the afternoon at the Open Day at air base Soesterberg and on September 1, 1985 at the open day at the Open Day at air base Soesterberg.

1988: Synchro pair display: 'Double Dutch'

In 1986 the RNLAF announced its jubilee for 75 years in 1988.
Members of 314 squadron thought it a good idea to raise a display team with two synchronous flying aircraft.
A program was developed and calculated by NLR. Also the plans were proposed to the commander of the air force.

In September 1987 unofficial training for the team was started. Several aircraft were used by the pilots of the team, captain Sander Schnitger and flying officer Jaap van Keulen.
Coach of the team was Ernst Taselaar, chief safety of air base Eindhoven.
Also a visit was made to the famous 'Red Arrows" display team and many information was exchanged.

The rather simple display scheme like that of of the display F-16. This scheme was designed by Christiaan van Kooten.
Both K-3012 and K-3014, exchanged with 316 squadron because of the better technical condition were sprayed at air base Gilze Rijen.
The centreline-tank were provided with a broad red, white and blue ribbon.
March 18, 1988 both aircraft were picked up. A photo mission was flown in cooperation with photo flight Soesterberg.
Way back technical problems with K-3012 occurred. The damage occurred was great, so the aircraft needed to be repaired for a long time. Again an aircraft was exchanged with K-3072, 316 squadron and sprayed in display colours.

April 27, 1988 the name of the team was announced officially: 'Double Dutch'.
Also smokewinders were added for better visibility and a more attractive show.
Also K-3014 suffered from technical problems and again an aircraft, K-3054, from 316 squadron was exchanged with an own aircraft and sprayed in display colours.

When the team was presented on may 18, 1988 the name of the team was applied on a large white badge just beneath the canopy. A short display was flown at air base Deelen with K-3072 and a standard NF-5, again because of technical problems with the display aircraft.

May 28, 1988 a display was flown at Mildenhall. During the show, the landing gear of K-3054 lowered suddenly. It could not be retracted again, so the show was ended. May 29,1988 the display was flown with one of the reserve planes.
Because of the frequently occurring problems with the rather old NF-5, it was decided to add a fifth aircraft, K-3042.
July 2, 1988 there was a large air show at Deelen. Unfortunately the weather was rather bad, so the show was limited to the so called "bad weather program" performed at rather low height.

July 28, 1988 at the Belgian air base Koksijde, the display was cancelled due bad weather.

Northrop NF-5A's, e.g. K-3042 and K-3012 in 'Double Dutch" display scheme at the Open Day KLu 75 (75 years Dutch Air Force), June 1988 at air base Deelen.

Northrop NF-5A K-3014 in 'Double Dutch" display scheme at the Open Day KLu 75 (75 years Dutch Air Force), June 1988 at air base Deelen.

Two NF-5A's of the "Double Dutch" team flying over castle Loevestein.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

The Double Dutch display team in front of on of their NF-5As.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Tribulation

August 28, 1988 at a show at Kleine Brogel, Belgium, a Finnish aircraft crashed, killing the pilot. The same day an disaster occurred at the German air base Ramstein, when three aircraft of the Italian display team Frecce Tricolore collided during their display.
One of the aircraft crashed into the public, killing dozens of people!

Both accidents had consequences for the display teams and for future open days of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Shortly after arrival at air base Save, Götenborg at Sweden, a phone call arrived from Wing Ops at air base Gilze-Rijen, stating the minister ordered an aircraft grounding for the display team because of danger of a possible collision.
When the team returned the Sous-chef Operations had discussed with the minister and managed to persuade him of the safety of the team and the show.
So the team was allowed to continue training for the show.
September 16, 1988 a display was planned at Leuchars, Scotland. Shortly after arrival at Leuchars a telephone message arrived from the council of ministers stating that the team was not allowed to fly their show.
After return of the team to the Netherlands it was decided to disband the team.

Scheme Northrop NF-5A display 1988, shown is the initial scheme without the name of the team under the cockpit.

Northrop NF-5A display 1988, the latter scheme with the name of the team under the cockpit.

A model of a Northrop NF-5A of the "Double Dutch "display team 1988, built by Adri Kleijn.

For further information about the Northrop NF-5 see Northrop NF-5.

 Colour Information

In the drawings added to this page you can see the paint schemes used.
Colours used were KLu camouflage green 539 = RAL 6014 and KLu camouflage grey 132 = RAL 7012 on the upper surfaces.
The under surfaces were Klu haze grey 130 = RAL 7001.
From 1977 and later this colour was replaced with aluminium dope. Photos of display aircraft don't clearly show whether these aircraft had aluminium doped under surfaces or not.

Early eighties the under surfaces were painted light grey, mat FS 36375.