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In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

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

This website will be maintained by different people for as long as possible, so that other enthusiasts can continue to benefit from extensive content.

Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper

Published: Wednesday, 15 June 2011 12:56 | Print | | Hits: 8265
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During 1944 the NEIAF received two Taylorcraft L-2Ms under Lend-lease conditions. both aircraft were stationed at AFB Canberra at the NEI-PEP (Netherlands East Indies - Personnel and Equipment Pool).
Initially they were used as target tow for the training of airgunners for the B-25s. Both aircraft were also used for liaison duties.

The TCO-010 crashed in October 1944 at Canberra, the TCO-011 moved with the PEP in September to Bundaberg and was used there as a replacement of the Tiger Moth. Aspirant fighterpilots first flew several hours with the L-2 and were then converted to the P-40 or the Mustang.

Early 1946 the aircraft was damaged and not used any more. In June 1946 the aircraft moved together with the PEP to Dutch New Guinea.
The ML became the owner of the aircraft and it was repaired and in November 1946 added to the inventory of the OOS (Overgangs Opleidngs School = Conversion Trainings School). It was mainly used for joy flights.
By the end of July 1947 TCO-011 was re-registered and received serial R-334.

In 1950 it was handed over to the AURIS.