This aircraft was a regular visitor in the early 1980's and is seen here getting refueled. What is also of interest is the new tower being built next to the old one. Such a difference and the new tower still looks exactly like that today.

This V-8AP, an early Mi-8 prototype, was presumably taken in June 1965 when it was on its way to the air show at Le Bourget, just like many other aircraft did back in the day. Its c/n is thought to be 0203. The registration CCCP-06181 was later falsely painted on c/n 3135 (preserved at the Technik Museum Speyer) and on c/n 0604 (preserved at Monino). It was also re-used by a Mi-26.

This airframe was delivered in 1954 as an L-1049C, before it had undergone some modifications in 1956, which made it an L-1049E. The registration was cancelled in 1965 and the aircraft was scrapped for the parts to be sold.

This picture was taken after the Piper had crashlanded just 450m short of runway 23. It suffered a #2 engine failure (fuel starvation) about 15 mins before the aircraft would be landing. The pilot forgot to adjust the blades and so the propellor kept windmilling. He was desperately trying to keep his course using all means he had, but when the #1 engine also gave in, the situation couldn't be controlled anymore and the aircraft went down. Luckily, all 5 occupants survived without any injuries worth mentioning.

The airframe was built in 1976 and the registration PH-BAA was cancelled in August 1980 and the aircraft became N805PC, C-GBHM and eventually N4231V. The middle aircraft, PH-BAS carries c/n 31-7305043. This one also got cancelled in August 1980 and became N804PC and N84859, but was unfortunately written off on December 15, 2000. The third aircraft is the PH-SAV and has c/n 31-7652056. The registration got cancelled in 2006 and it became G-CEBK. Both the -BAA and -SAV are still in service to date!

Brought to Eelde by car in April 1969 and restored to flying condition. Reregistered as PH-DAP on June 10, 1969, after serving as N906X and SE-ENW before. They belonged to Dutch Air Sprayers, a Dutch agricultural company. After the company ceased to exist, the registration was cancelled and the aircraft was re-registered in the USA as N33508 on June 16, 1972.

One of the classic Electra's of KLM seen taxiing to the apron on a training mission. In the background, you can see a couple of the Saab Safir's that the RLS (Rijksluchtvaartschool) had in use back then for training future pilots.

This old lady started her life in the USAF as 42-92298, became FZ549 in the RAF and then moved on to civilian duties. Those duties started with a transfer to KLM in 1947 and in 1949 it got registered as PH-TDV, was reregistered PH-UEV for a brief while before becoming PH-DAV (also with KLM). After that, she went to Itavia as I-TAVE and she ended her life with Pluna as CX-BDA. She never flew for Pluna, but was used for spare parts and is subsequently scrapped now.

This aircraft also served as PH-VLA, PH-VLM, G-ARDN, XY-ABQ, HB-LAX and 6V-ACM. It was withdrawn from use at Dakar in 1973.

A quartet of Hiller UH-12's of the Royal Navy making a fuel stop at Eelde. Later, this helicopter became G-BDYY and EI-BCA. It was cancelled April 7, 1987 and became SX-HCD. Besides XS705, you can also see XS160/48, XS166/41 and XS168/47. These Hillers were built as three-seat dual-control light utility and observation helicopters and were used in the Navy as training aircraft.

This airframe is now preserved in the Air Force musuem in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This picture was taken by Harm Reinders in a cold winter in the 1970s, when this Dak was still in active service for the Ilmavoimat, which I can only assume to be the Finnish name for Air Force. In the background you can see a Fokker 27 of the NLM or KLM Cityhopper, with a Piper twin in between the Dakota and Fokker.

One of the many operators Eelde has known during the 1970s and 1980s. This was the first arrival of Netherlines with a Jetstream leased from BAe since their own aircraft (also Jetstreams) hadn't been delivered yet. In 1990 the company merged with NLM Cityhopper, which then became KLM Cityhopper.

This very rare and unusual bird was nicknamed "Homer" by the NATO and is by far one of the most exotic aircraft ever to have passed through the airport. It was accompanied by Mil Mi-8 CCCP-11097, both aircraft on their way to the Le Bourget airshow. Because they were not allowed to fly over West Germany (Cold War issues), they had to re-route via Denmark and also The Netherlands to take on fuel. This is the first prototype, which ended up stored / preserved at the MVZ im. Milya factory at Tomilino, and was still there by late 2018. The one on display at Monino since 1975 is the second prototype. Initially it carried no registration there, but in 2012 they falsely painted it with the registration of this first prototype.

A very rare photo it seems and hard to find anything about this airframe online. Built and delivered in 1974 and quite possibly withdrawn from use in 2000 at Libreville. Back in the days we used to get many exotic aircraft, new Fokkers on training flights etc., unfortunately times have changed since then.

The experimental F27-100 Maritime version, in what looks to be a Dutch Coast Guard jacket. This was all in the days that the airport could still be used for the larger training traffic, which was well used by various operators, including newly built Fokkers. Also note the extra (fuel?)pod udnerneath the left wing.

A truly historical photo. The airport was (and still is!) designated as THE training airport of the Netherlands. In this photo you see the RLS (Rijksluchtvaartschool) receiving their first Citation 500. Obviously, it drew quite the crowd, with everyone being eager to have a peek at this new aircraft. Cancelled in 1987, later serving as G-HOLL, PH-CTA (different operator), N170MD and N251DD. In 2007 it was still active and in flying condition!

A classic setting from the past, a General Air Yak-40 with a minivan behind it, a model that is typically associated with the 1970s. After about roughly 50 years, this example still flies as RA-48111!

Transferred to Transavia from United Airlines in May 1970. Withdrawn from use in November 1975 and donated to Schiphol for fire training. In December 1978 it was destroyed by fire.

That's what you get for doing your run-up and not keeping track of the wind! Photo was presumably taken in the late 1950s by Harm Reinders and the subject is a Texan of the Rijksluchtvaartschool (which is now known as the KLM Flight Academy). Learning to fly by means of a Texan. How cool is that!

A ramp shot of Groningen Airport Eelde back in the day. The old tower, old viewers terrace. What a very different world compared to today. No hassles and everything was possible! Luckily we still have these old photos to remind us of good times.