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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.

Fairey Firefly

Published: Wednesday, 10 November 2010 09:10 | Print | | Hits: 26461
Page 2 of 7

Fairey Firefly Mk.I, Fairey Firefly FR Mk.IV and NF Mk.V and Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1/T.Mk.2, in service with RNlNAS.

Fairey Firefly Mk. I

During the fall of 1945 two orders of fifteen aircraft each were signed. The first twenty aircraft were F.Mk.1 serialled F-1 till F-20; the remaining ten aircraft were FR.Mk.1 serialled F-21 till F-30.
The first six examples were handed over to the Dutch Navy January 18, 1946. These aircraft were assigned to 860 squadron. March 20, 1946 the first Dutch aircraft carrier 'Karel Doorman' entered service. 860 squadron was based on this ship. The flight deck was just 150 meters long and caused problems with start and landing.
August 26, 1946 the 'Doorman' left for the Dutch East Indies because of the situation there. Squadron 860 was embarked with Fireflies F-17 till F-30. The Fireflies were used for air to ground support. Several Fireflies were lost in action, such as F-22, F-24 and F-27.

During 1948 the aircraft were re-serialled, were code letter F was changed in code K. (on 25-08-1947 in the Netherlands and 26-01-1949 in Dutch East Indies). The letters were not applied as such on the aircraft, but the “6” and “11” ( F is the 6th and 11nd letter in the alphabet). The K-Serial was changed again in January 1950 in code letter P.
March 1950 860 squadron was temporarily with drawn from service. The remaining Fireflies went for a complete overhaul to the Netherlands.
In September 1946 861 squadron was established and equipped with Fireflies. It was based on naval air station Valkenburg and was dismissed in April 1947. The Fireflies went to GVO (Groep Vlieg Opleiding = Group Flight Training) and to OGV (Opleiding Gevechts Vlieger = Training Fighter Pilots).

Firefly MK I

Fairey Firefly Mk.I of squadron 860. still with British markings.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I .
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk. I aboard HMS Karel Doorman (ex-HMS Nairana, 1946-1948).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Public watching a Fairey Firefly Mk.I at Perak, NEI, 1946
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I aboard HMS Karel Doorman (ex-HMS Nairana, 1946-1948)..
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I of squadron 860, stil with British markings aboard HMS Karel Doorman (ex-HMS Nairana, 1946-1948).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I . Note the mountings for rockets under the wings an the mountings for the ASV radar under the fuselage.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I serial 11-6.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I serial K-20at naval air station Morokrembangan.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I serials 19, 20 and 28 flying in formation above NEI.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I serial K-19 flying over the eastern part of Java.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I flying over NEI, firing rockets.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I serial F-5, in service from January 18, 1946 till December 21, 1948. Modified to trainer T.Mk. I and used as such till September 22, 1959 and scrapped in the Netherlands.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Personnel of squadron 5 in front of Fairey Firefly serial P.25 at the end of the fifties.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.I (at naval aior station Hato.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1 and T.Mk.2 trainer.

In June 1948 the second (and larger) 'Karel Doorman' entered Dutch service and a start with training for deck landings was made with three Firefly T.1's (converted Mk.I's).
After a display at the end of 1946 with a Fairey converted Firefly it was decided to modify the Mk.1's to T.1. The first one, F-1 was converted at the Fairey Factories, the other two, F.8 and F.12 were converted at Aviolanda using parts delivered by Fairey. The T.1's were serialled L-11 (ex F-1); L-12 (ex-F-12) and L-13 (ex F-8). Later four T.2 were built by Aviolanda, to know F-4, (became U-14) and F-5 (became U-15), both delivered in 1949. In 1951 Fireflies F-23 and F-29 were modified and delivered in July1952 as U-16 and U-17. The two remaining T.1's, L-11 and L-12, were re-serialled U-11 and U-12. The L-13 crashed on November 8, 1948. (as noted above, the “L” serial was applied as “12” on the aircraft; “U” was applied as “21”).
Early 1951 the "Doorman" departed with Squadron 1, with Fireflies P-6; P-17; P-25; P-26 P-30 and trainers U-11; U-12 and U-14 and P-7, P-11, P-28 an U-15 as spare
The main task of squadron 1 was besides air defence also training with marines and ships. During 1954 the Mk.1's were replaced with Firefly Mk.4's

Fireflies P-6 and P-30 were lost because of a collision on October 14, 1952.
Trainers U-16 and U-17 stayed at Valkenburg for advanced carrier training and target tow duties.
During 1959 U-12 and U-17 sere re-serialled as 003 and 004 respectively, in March 1960 both aircraft were scrapped.

Firefly Trainers

Advanced trainer Fairey Firefly T.1
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Formation Firefly Mk.IV and, at the right a Firelfy T.Mk.1.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Advanced trainer Fairey Firefly T.1.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1 L-11 (1948-1959) Advanced trainer.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly trainer T.Mk. I nr 21-16 of VSQ-5 after a crash op November 25, 1953
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly T.Mk 1 Advanced trainer, serial 12.11, entered service on February 9, 1948, scrapped on September 22, 1959.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Crash of Fairey Firefly T.Mk. 1/2, serial 12-11 on September 22, 1959
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly T.1 L-11 advanced trainer at air station "HATO" Curaçao.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Fairey Firefly FR Mk.IV and NF Mk.V

During 1947 the RNlNAS received 40 Fireflies FR.4's, serialled K-31 till K-70 11-31 t/m 11-70). These aircraft were added to squadron 1, 2 and squadron 4. Early 1949 the RNlNAS received another fourteen Fireflies NF.5 serialled K-71 till K-84 (11-71 till 11-84) and in November 1952 four ex Canadian Navy FR.4's were added serialled P-86 till P-89 (16-86 till 16-89).
Squadron 2 and 4 participated frequently in NATO exercises, operating from the Dutch carrier of often also from British carries. During 1954 the Fireflies were replaced with Avenger at squadron 2 and 4.
In 1955 squadron 7 was established to be based at Biak, Dutch New-Guinea.

In 1959 the Fireflies were re-serialled, The remaining Fireflies received serials 005 till 017 with letter “B” of Biak. When 322 squadron RNlNAF arrived with their Hawker Hunters, squadron 7 was withdrawn in December 1961 and the Fireflies were withdrawn from use.

 

D1992066

Fairey Firefly NF.V of the Royal Naval Historical Flight, photgraphed at the Airshow "MLD 75 jaar" (75 years RNlNAS), June 1992 at Naval air station Valkenburg.

 

D1992071

Fairey Firefly NF.V of the Royal Naval Historical Flight, photographed at the Airshow "MLD 75 jaar" (75 years RNlNAS), June 1992 at Naval air station Valkenburg.

 

Fairey Firefly MK.IV (1946-1961), serial K-30 (F-30, P-30)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk. IV aboard Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman (1948-1968)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 46 , K 46 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV K-56
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV K-46 entered service on August 22, 1947, scrapped on February 6, 1959 at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV K-59 entered service on October 2, 1947; on October 26, 1961 as monument at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P-65 at Hato
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 46 , K 46 at Eelde air show, spring 1948.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly MK.IV nr. K-34 (P-34) during the Pentecost air show at airfield Eelde, Groningen
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 44, (1947-1959)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 48 , K 48 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV 'P-57' at naval air station Valkenburg in 1954
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 46 (1947-1959)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV (1946-1961), naval air station Biak, 1961-12-06
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly MK.IV nr. P-36 (K-36)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 44, (1947-1959)
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P-65 (1947-1953), flying over Curaçao
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV P-60 (1947-1953), a/b HMS Illustrious
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, K 45
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Firefly NF Mk.V 014 crashed at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
De Firefly NF Mk.V nr 014 crashed at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly NF.Mk.V K-72 entered service on April 26, 1949; crashed on May 11, 1951 at naval air station Biak.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly NF.Mk.V K-82.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.IV nr. 010 (K-59, P-59) at Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 58; in maintenance aboard Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly MK.IV (1946-1961), nr. P-31 (K-31) with "Delmar" target tow.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly MK.IV nr. P-37 (K-37), with "Delmar" target tow.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk IV, P 49, P 50 with winch at naval air station Valkenburg
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV with shark mouth at Biak; left rear admiral pilot Den Hollander
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk V, F 015 ,(1949-1961) with shark mouth. Squadron 7 went out of service at naval air station Biak, December 1961
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV with shark mouth at Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV with shark mouth at Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV with shark mouth at Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly MK.IV at naval air station Biak.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV with shark mout at Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk V, serial F 015,. Last flight of the comandder of no 7 squadron , G.A.M. van Wermeskerken; Just landed at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

Fairey Firefly Mk.IV as decoy at naval air station Biak
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
F
Fairey Firefly Mk.IV F-4 at naval air station Valkenburg
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV serial 005, ex K-33
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Firefly Mk.IV nr. 005 (ex K-33, ex P-33) moved in position for aligning the guns at naval air station Biak.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]