Lost A Good Friend Today/Dutch Naval Aviation Question
Mon May 14, 2012 2:24 pm
Today I found out that a good friend lost his two year battle with prostate cancer. When I would visit Atlanta to work the airshow or just visit, I would make an effort to drive to see him. The last time we were together was when I drove north from Peachtree City to John's Creek (savvy locals would likely recommend that I get a 172 and fly there) and sat out on his deck on a bright sunny Saturday (same weekend as Dixie Wing WW2 day).
We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).
He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier later and in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.
I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...
Today I found out that a good friend lost his two year battle with prostate cancer. When I would visit Atlanta to work the airshow or just visit, I would make an effort to drive to see him. The last time we were together was when I drove north from Peachtree City to John's Creek (savvy locals would likely recommend that I get a 172 and fly there) and sat out on his deck on a bright sunny Saturday (same weekend as Dixie Wing WW2 day).
We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).
He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a picture of a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.
I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Naval_Aviation
We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).
He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier later and in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.
I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...
Today I found out that a good friend lost his two year battle with prostate cancer. When I would visit Atlanta to work the airshow or just visit, I would make an effort to drive to see him. The last time we were together was when I drove north from Peachtree City to John's Creek (savvy locals would likely recommend that I get a 172 and fly there) and sat out on his deck on a bright sunny Saturday (same weekend as Dixie Wing WW2 day).
We sat on his deck and watched aircraft take off from Mathias, a short field airport better for LSAs...and had a good chat about family/flying/life in general. For many reasons I will miss him a lot as I miss the shade of a tree (hence my favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars).
He used to talk about his Dad flying off a Dutch Naval carrier in post-WW2. In addition, in the many pictures of family and friends on the walls of his house I noticed a picture of a bright yellow trainer that looked like a T-6/SNJ...but I think it had fixed gear.
I found this wiki link with some details...but any perspective from Wix'ers is welcome...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Naval_Aviation
Re: Lost A Good Friend Today/Dutch Naval Aviation Question
Mon May 14, 2012 2:36 pm
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Last edited by Mark Allen M on Sun Sep 09, 2012 1:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Lost A Good Friend Today/Dutch Naval Aviation Question
Mon May 14, 2012 2:46 pm
Sorry for the dual copy of the message...copied the entire contents twice and the link once 
Re: Lost A Good Friend Today/Dutch Naval Aviation Question
Mon May 14, 2012 2:50 pm
No sweat, I too am sorry for your loss of a dear friend
Re: Lost A Good Friend Today/Dutch Naval Aviation Question
Mon May 14, 2012 7:00 pm
At least you took time while he was around - better than having just regrets.
If you want to know about Dutch naval aviation, there is the MLM Museum at Soesterberg, Holland. It covers all aspects of the Dutch military aviation, which included the Royal Dutch Air Force, Dutch naval aviation and Netherlands East Indies Air Force.
They don't have much in English on the website, but most staff are happy to help with English enquiries, and they have an archive.: http://www.militaireluchtvaartmuseum.nl/?layer=close There's an e-mail address on the page.
If you could supply some info as to your friend's name, period of service and location (Europe, or Far East, particularly) they might be able to give general advice and maybe more. Let us know how you get on, there may be other avenues or help available.
The trainer sounds like the Fokker S-11, from the very brief description!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_S-11
(Note the example in naval colours, top right in the page.)
HTH
If you want to know about Dutch naval aviation, there is the MLM Museum at Soesterberg, Holland. It covers all aspects of the Dutch military aviation, which included the Royal Dutch Air Force, Dutch naval aviation and Netherlands East Indies Air Force.
They don't have much in English on the website, but most staff are happy to help with English enquiries, and they have an archive.: http://www.militaireluchtvaartmuseum.nl/?layer=close There's an e-mail address on the page.
If you could supply some info as to your friend's name, period of service and location (Europe, or Far East, particularly) they might be able to give general advice and maybe more. Let us know how you get on, there may be other avenues or help available.
The trainer sounds like the Fokker S-11, from the very brief description!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_S-11
(Note the example in naval colours, top right in the page.)
HTH