1953 flood disaster in southwestern Netherlands. Ex PH-HAA, 8-1 (H-1) Jezebel was the country's sole helicopter at the time. Foreign helicopters also came to the rescue, including machines of the Royal Navy, US Army and Sabena. Photo from: Zeeuws Archief

The first helicopter in the Netherlands on its first flight in the country, piloted by Hein Bulten, a former fighter pilot. The 'lifting airscrew aircraft' was used for trials including mail and cropdusting flights. It was purchased by the navy as 8-1 (H-1) in 1951 and served until 1959. Photo from: Fotopersbureau Van den Heuvel / Haags Gemeentearchief

Prime Minister Willem Drees departing to the disaster area of the catastrophic North Sea flood of 1 February 1953. The first helicopter in the Netherlands, Jezebel had rescued many victims from rooftops and treetops. The Aviodrome museum in Lelystad has a Westland-built WS-51 painted as this historic machine. Photo by: Harry Pot / Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)