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"Dutch" YF-16 celebrates 25 years of F-16

June 17, 2004 (by Bjorn Claes) - Wednesday June 16th, 2004, saw the rollout at Volkel AB of a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16A in a "Dutch" YF-16 color scheme. The special color scheme celebrates 25 years of F-16 service with the RNlAF.

On May 3rd, 1979 the first Dutch F-16 (#J-259) to roll of the Fokker production plant took off for its maiden flight. The aircraft was officially handed over to the RNlAF on June 5th, 1979. This month marks the 25th anniversary of the F-16 in service with the RNLAF.

The special paint scheme consist out of the original paint scheme applied on the YF-16 prototypes back in 1974. The scheme was designed and applied by Ron van Dijk. The selected F-16 airframe (#J-229) has been an instructional airframe at Volkel AB for a number of years, so it hasn't got any flying hours left. It will solely be used in the static display, first at the open days held at Volkel AB on June 18th & 19th.


Additional images:

Royal Netherlands F-16A Block 5 #J-229 in a special "Dutch" YF-16 color scheme to celebrate 25 years of F-16 in the RNlAF. Designed and painted by Ron van Dijk, it is seen here at the roll-out on June 16th, 2004. This F-16 has been an non-flyable instructional airframe for years and will be displayed at the open days held at Volkel AB on June 18th and 19th, 2004. [Photo by Ron van Dijk - RNLAF F-16 painter]