Putting an airliner in the grass does pose a risk, but the aircraft did depart after the open house.

Delivered to Martinair as PH-MAT in 1969. To Ansett as VH-FKF in 1980. Withdrawn from use at Melbourne-Tullamarine in 1995 and scrapped in 1996.

leaving hangar 6 after maintenance

Fokker official photo 69.5 4128. Original caption reads: "Where the F.28 Feels at Home". Fokker F.28 Fellowship taking off from Skardu airfield, Pakistan, in the Indus valley in the Himalaya. Airfield elevation: 7,600 feet. Runway: sand, 5,100 feet long and 100 feet wide. The aircraft, A-8, PH-MAT of Martinair Holland, was the first jet to visit Skardu". First flown 24 July 1969. MMA VH-FKF 1980, renamed Airlines of Western Australia 1981 and Ansett WA 1984. Jointly operated by Ansett NT and Ansett WA from 1985, merged into Ansett Australia 1991. Withdrawn Melbourne 1995 and scrapped.

For a few weeks, Martinair operated one of their Fokker 28's on behalf of Air France on its domestic and German destinations. The registration was cancelled on September 30, 1980. To Ansett as VH-FKF and ferried Amsterdam - Brindisi - Cairo - Bahrain - Karachi - Delhi - Calcutta - Bangkok - Singapore - Denpasar - Darwin - Alice Springs - Melbourne. Withdrawn from use on March 30, 1995. It was scrapped at Melbourne between January 16-20, 1996.

Delivered new 1st Oct 1969 and became VH-FKF 1st Oct 1980

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.