In service from 1929 until 1942. Photo from: Leiden University Libraries

Hoisting the cruiser Java's light reconnaissance seaplane. To the left is the destroyer HNLMS Piet Hein (PH), which is also carrying an aircraft. Photo from: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie

The aircraft facing the Fokker is an unidentified Dornier Wal. Photo from W. Muntinga

'The first aeroplane to appear at Babo', in Netherlands New Guinea, likely visiting from a warship. This may or may not have been in January 1935 when the plane of HNLMS Flores visited Babo and a reconnaissance flight was made on behalf of the BPM oil company. Construction of an airfield and a seaplane ramp began here soon thereafter. Heavily bombed in WWII, the airfield was cleared in 2002 and has since reopened. Photo from: Leiden University Libraries

Testing of the Fokker C.VIIw prototype, probably near Schellingwoude seaplane station. The rudder was later changed and it is not painted in the national colours. Photo from: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie

Developed in 1928, the C.VIIw was a two-seat reconnaissance and training seaplane of which 30 examples were built. Jaap de Moor, whose father served at Morokrembangan, noted the protective bow pudding attached to each float 'by the sailing navy' as Jaap, himself a former naval pilot, put it. Photo from: Jaap de Moor collection