Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s

RNlAF F-16A block 15 #J-366 from 315 sqn parked on the apron behind technical Hangar 11 at Twenthe AB in 1988 during a squadron rotation with visiting 56 sqn (Phantoms) of the RAF. In the NATO command structure the F-4's were considered to be more valuable assets in case of a war than the F-16, so they were parked out in the open, while the Phantoms sat in the shelters. On the day the pic was taken, this jet nearly suffered a 'rabbit strike', the surrounding forrest was infested with rabbits suffering from myxomathosis that swells and blisters all wet tissues around eyes, nose and mouths. A blind and suffering rabbit staggered on to the apron and got lifted from the ground while passing before the intake while the jet running stationery and was alining its NAV system, its last reflexes avoided it being sucked into the intake. A precise blow with a wooden wheel chock then ended the suffering of the animal [Photo by Bert van Dalen]