After 45 years, the Netherlands is saying goodbye to the iconic F16 fighter jets. On Friday, a formation of fighter planes will fly over our country for the very last time. Also about Woensdrecht. Twenty-year-old plane spotter Werner Verbogt from Halsteren even travels especially to Volkel to photograph the planes for the last time.
“You will miss them in the airspace, yes,” Werner admits. He has had a passion for airplanes for as long as he can remember. And especially military aircraft. “It’s such an experience to see it fly. Also because of the sound they make.” He bought his first camera at the end of 2017, and since then he has traveled all over the country to capture the most beautiful and special aircraft.
He shares the photos Werner takes on his Instagram page Woensdrecht.spotter. More than 2,500 airplane enthusiasts from all over the world follow his account. With every photo he posts, he shares information about the aircraft he photographed. “During the summer months I spend at least one or two days a week on this,” he says.
Farewell flight
Specially to say goodbye to the F16s, he travels to Volkel on the day of the farewell flight. That is where the departure and end point of the flight is. “At 7 a.m. it was already full of spotters.” Why didn’t he just drive to Woensdrecht? “In Volkel you can get closer and so I can take better photos.”
The avid plane spotter thinks it is a shame that the F16s will no longer fly over Woensdrecht – and the rest of the country. “They really are one of the best fighter jets the Netherlands has ever had.” But he also acknowledges that the new F35s are a good replacement. “We are certainly making progress in terms of technology. For example, an F35 can remain invisible on radar much better than the F16.”
It is not the case that fighter jets will disappear completely. “24 are going to Ukraine. A lot of F16s are also going to Romania. There they are used as learning devices for soldiers in training.”
Werner has been capturing special aircraft with his camera for more than seven years.
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