Seen the departing of the former dutch orions to Portugal and Germany, i wanted to see how they are doing.
So last year i visited ESQ 601 "Lobos" at Beja and seen there the 14807 (ex 300) , 14808 (ex 304) and 14809 (ex 306).
This year i wanted to see the orions at Nordholz. I was invited to come to MFG3 on wednesday 31th of July.
After 4,5 hour drive from Katwijk to Nordholz i arrived in time for a nice visit. There are much building activities at the base due to the arrival of 18 NH90 helicopters upcoming years to replace the Sea King helicopters. (first will arrive oktober 2019)
Me and the press officer first went to ramp 7 (near orion hangar) , there orion 60+01 (ex 301) was getting ready for a mission. Before photograph the start up, i checked the orion hangar, seen there;
orion 60+05 (ex 301), 60+06 (ex 308), 60+08 (ex 312) (others were at Manching for fitting new wings, life extension programm 2035)
Because MFG 5 need space (due to building activity) 4 sea kings were for maintenance in the orion hangar ; 89+57, 89+62, 89+66 and 89+68.
Also been in the training maintenance hangar, seen there Orion 60+22, Sea Lynx 83+55 and a mock up NH90. The NH90 arrived last month for training purpose.
Then start up from 60+01 and taxiing out to runway. With the special taxi service at the base we positioned near the control tower along the runway.
(control tower will be newly build next year on other side of runway). 60+01 started but aborted due to a bird strike?
After check by fire brigade (no problems), the orion took off.
In the meantime some sea kings and sea lynx helicopters were flying. Because i had a visit to MFG3 we had no time for a visit to MFG5. Before returning to the gate we checked the platform in front of Sea King hangar and spotted sea king 89+65.
A very nice visit . The former dutch orions are doing well at Beja and Nordholz!
Some photo's;
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