Dutch Thunder Yaks
Calendar
– July, 11th and 12th Airshow Gelnhausen
For airshows, fly-bys, displays, and promotional events: please contact us at pr@dutchthunderyaks.nl
Yak-52 formation flying in historic style
The Dutch Thunder Yaks are a Dutch display team with a passion for the Yak-52, historic aviation, and precise formation flying.
- Spring Training 2026
The Dutch Thunder Yaks once again made the most of their spring training, focusing on precision, teamwork, and formation flying. One of the highlights was the impressive 5-ship formation fly-by, with five Yak-52s flying past in close formation. A great sight to see, and a fine result of training, discipline, and teamwork in preparation for the new season.
- Fly-by For Willem “Bill” Abbot 2024
Before the 22-year-old New Zealand pilot William Gibbs Abbott (nickname Bill) is ordered to neutralize enemy transports in the Netherlands on September 9, 1944, he writes a letter to his father. “I want to help tidy things up,” he writes. In other words: “I want to make my contribution here, then I will come home.” But that does not happen. During his flight on September 9, 1944 above Zutphen, Abbott’s plane is shot at by the Germans. His P51 Mustang III catches fire almost immediately and crashes in the floodplains on the side of the Hoven and Bill dies immediately.
On Monday, September 9, three planes, so-called Thunder Yaks, flew over the IJssel twice. And over the monument of Bill Abbott, the New Zealand pilot, affiliated with the British Royal Air Force, whose plane was shot down by the enemy nearby on September 9, 1944. Exactly eighty years later, there will be a commemoration meeting.
- Gelnhausen 2024
Flugplatskerb Gelnhausen, a small airfield with biggest events (or as it was said “a small airfield with big balls”). The field has been around for 50 years and that was celebrated! An F4U Corsair, a PBY Catalina, a P51 Mustang, and several demos. After a period of few air shows and events, it was great to be back in Gelnhausen. On June 15 and 16, the DTY demo team was allowed to give an air show at the excellently organized flying party. And what could be better than meeting a fanatic team of enthusiastic people and fellow pilots there. Thank you Beni, Manuel and all the other volunteers for your great welcome and good care!
Flugplatz-Kerb | FLY IN – AIRSHOW (flugplatzkerb-gelnhausen.de)
Thanks also to Hans F. Daniel, a freelance journalist whose photos we can use, for more photos of Hans see Flickr
