The Fokker F27 Friendship was the most succesful aircraft produced by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer. For that reason the Fokker Heritage Flight (FHF) was keen to preserve and fly one and in 2004 they managed to acquire the very first production aircraft that had started its commercial life with Aer Lingus in 1958.
I was fortunate enough to be on the first flight organized by the FHF on April 29, 2006, which happened to be Queen's Day, our national holiday.
The flight departed Lelystad, on a westerly heading over some colourful flower fields towards the North Sea coast and then over Amsterdam where, at 5:40, festive crowds can be seen on the Museum Square. Then back towards Lelystad for landing.
Unfortunately this aircraft was involved in a minor taxi accident in 2007 which damaged its wing, which proved beyond the financial means of the FHF to repair. The good thing is that this aircraft can still be admired in wellpreserved condition at the Aviodrome Air Museum in Lelystad.