Fifty Years +

It was at the age of 13 that I took my first black & white aircraft pictures in 1966, using the Agfa Clack camera borrowed from my mother. That was at Schiphol-Oost, the former location of Amsterdam's international airport.  

 

 

As my hobby activities progressed, I started to publish features and accompanying photography in an array of magazines all over the world. Later a range of books also followed. These activities have since continued almost without interruption. 

Based on my writing and photography activities expanding, I established Aviation Photos International as the 'umbrella' for my aviation collection. This also facilitated the recovery of at least a small portion of the considerable costs involved in travel and flying to conduct my hobby, versus generally very marginal remunerations from aviation publications and alike.

A true milestone in my hobby career took place on 27 March 1981, when the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force provided the opportunity for my very first air-to-air session. Several more flights followed that year, including the unforgettable first fast jet experience on board of a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-104D. Air-to-air photography became a passion!  

 

 

In June 1982 it was Cor de Blij who arranged my first Harvard flight and introduced me to the Fokker Four Team on the same day at Lelystad. That was the start of a treasured friendship and dozens of exiting photo sessions together. In August 1982 he also brought me to the Stichting Vliegsport Gilze-Rijen, now the Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht - KLuHV (Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight), where I flew my first session with them nearby the base.

 

 

Many more photo missions from Gilze would follow. The Historic Flight's quarters have meanwhile become a 'second home'. My airborne photography of KLuHV aircraft over the years was extensively featured in two books about the Flight and its history. "35 Jaar bewogen door de tijd" was appeared in September 2004 and "De Tijd Vliegt" in August 2013. The latter can still be ordered via www.kluhv.nl

 

In 1994 I was invited to visit the Royal Jordanian Falcons in their home country. One of the sessions was flown out of Aqaba early morning over the spectacular Wadi-Rum desert and produced the picture that was chosen "Best of the Best" in the annual photo contest of Aviation Week & Space Technology. A coveted award. In the following year I was asked to portray the aircraft of the Royal Jordan Air Force in flight. An unforgettable  privilege and experience. Several visits to this beautiful country have followed since. 

 

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My aviation photography career ran parallel to a successful full time occupation in management and commercial positions in the trading of chemicals and the transportation of liquid products in bulk worldwide by tank containers, that started in 1974. In 2013 I was able to retire early from this exciting industry.

Already in 2000 Robert van Diemen en I made the first flight together and the 100th was accomplished on 10 April 2014. And the total count is increasing steadily. Jointly enjoying the fun of flying, we have become a real team. And he also owns a beautiful and photogenic Bolkow 207 that has been a cameraship several times! 

 

 

In the course of time there have been some very special photo missions. Amongst these the encounter with Martinair's MD11 "Prinses Máxima", the missions flown in Portugal in 2006, KLM's 90th anniversary celebration flight in 2009 and the F-16/Harvard formation in 2011. The photo galleries will show you many more exciting adventures. 

 

 

Every year so far has produced several highlights. In 2016 accompanying Texan SE-CHP on its ferry flight from Sweden to Lelystad was one of the many unforgettable missions. As was the opportunity to portray Mustang PH-JAT 'Trusty Rusty' and the sessions over Gran Canaria including a Guardia Civil Bo105.

 

 

2017 highlights included several sessions near St. Dizier with my friends based there. Also I was honoured by the facility to portray KLM's Fokker 70 before the type was phased out. And at Cuatro Vientos near Madrid in Spain I was hosted by the Fundacion Infante de Orleans and able to portray their DH.89 Dragon Rapide in flight. 

 

 

2018 was an exceptional year with many unforgettable sessions. Capturing the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster had been a wish for many years already. Portraying Dakota PH-PBA over my city of birth Amsterdam also had been on the 'list' for a long time. And the ability to picture a Polish Army MI-17 helicopter near the island of Texel also was exiting.