The pilots of the F27 fleet of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) always enjoyed their take-off, directly after rotation they often selected gear-up. And that resulted in some nice photos! Here C-8 is seen just after take-off. The Troopship made its first flight on 6 Oct'60 as PH-FBW and was delivered to the KLu on 28 Dec'60. The aircraft was also used as demo aircraft from 1994 onwards and gave through the years a spectaular show. It was withdrawn from use in Aug'96 and became a gate-guard in late 1997. In late 2003 it became an instructional airframe at Eindhoven.

Test reg PH-FCA before delivery to the Netherlands Air Force as C-12 in 1961. Preserved at Eindhoven marked as C-8 from 1996.

Photo: Palle Nørby Christensen

Test reg PH-FBY in 1960 before delivery to the Netherlands Air Force as C-10 in 1961. Preserved at Soesterberg from 1997.

First flew as PH-FBX in 1960. Delivered to the Netherlands Air Force as C-9 in 1961. Leased to KLM as PH-KFA in 1966. Returned as C-9 in 1972. Withdrawn from use at Woesdrecht in 1995. Broken up in 2002. Fuselage used as a ground trainer at Eindhoven.

C-12, painted as C-8 in "F27 Display" colours

This was C-11, one of two Netherlands air force Troopships leased to KLM subsidiary NLM to carry out domestic services between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Enschede, and Groningen. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Former RNLAF Troopship C-11 and temporary NLM Cityhopper PH-FKB. Used on UN duties all-white in 1992 and wfu in 1996. Flew with Luft Afrique, later Luft Cargo, from 1998 until a nosewheel collapse at this airport in 2001. Logos and titles faded but still visible, same goes for registration. UN re-applied to tailfin. Reported to have been named Little Solly by the mayor of Tshwane in 2017.