![CH-47 with Dutch flag top RNLAF CH-47](https://i0.wp.com/theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CH-47-with-Dutch-Flag-top.jpg?resize=678%2C381&ssl=1)
We spoke to the crew of the 'Kantoor Testvliegen' (Test Flying Office Dutch Helicopter Commando), which flew flag duty on Dutch Liberation Day.
Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrated on May 5 to commemorate the end of Nazi occupation during World War II.
The liberation of the Netherlands involved Allied forces including Canadian, British, American, Polish, Belgian, Dutch, Czechoslovakian, and French troops. Canadian and British troops, along with American and Polish paratroopers, liberated parts of the country, especially the southeastern region (Operation Market Garden), while French paratroopers took part in Operation Amherst. On May 5, 1945, at the Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen, Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes of the 1st Canadian Corps and General Johannes Blaskowitz, commander-in-chief of German forces in the Netherlands, agreed to Germany's surrender. The formal surrender was signed at Wageningen University the next day.
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This year's celebration included something new. Chinooks from No. 298 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force flew a huge flag over the Hotel de Wereld and Wageningen, a town where the Fire of Liberation has traditionally been a symbol of unity, peace and security. , it caught fire.
Thanks to contributor Marco Ferrageau, who also took the photos you see in this post, I was able to ask a few questions to 'Kantoor Testvliegen' (Test Flying Office Dutch Helicopter Commando), who flew flag duty during the Dutch War. Liberation Day early this week.
Question: How did the idea for the flag below the Chinook come about?
A: In preparation for the 2020 75th Anniversary of Freedom and the 75th Anniversary of the 298th Squadron, the idea of placing a flag beneath the Chinook arose to further enhance both events.
After the first test flight, COVID-19 broke out and the project could not be completed for a long time.
Q: How many test flights were conducted before May 5?
A: Three test flights were conducted. The first test flights used a 9 x 6 meter prototype flag. After this flight, after various adjustments, a large flag measuring 20x13m was produced. Some improvements have been made to the pick-up process since the first test flight with the large flag. This was successfully tested on the last flight.
Q: Is this a one-off KTV (Kantoor Test Vliegen, Test Flying Office) project or will 298sqn continue this and what are your future projects?
A: Determining the Underslung Load Clearance is the responsibility of the Helicopter Loads Office (BHL) and KTV, with KTV performing the flight testing. Upon successful completion of testing, a ULC was created and delivered to 298sqn. Now they can fly their flag. No further projects (related to the flag) are currently planned.
Q: What is the size and weight of the flag?
Answer: The length of the flag is 20m and the height is 13m. The weight of the flag (cloth) is light, about 15 kg. The ballast weight is 520kg, which accounts for the largest portion of the overall weight. The weight of the load including cables is 615 kg.
Q: Are there any additional obstacles to flying or connecting?
A: Yes, you are not permitted to fly faster than 60 knots when flying the flag. This is a fairly slow rate for chinook. At speeds above 60 knots, the flag will not hang properly beneath the chinook and excessive force will be applied to the flag, causing it to wear out more quickly.
Specific procedures have been designed to make the connection as safe and effective as possible. Due to the downwash of the Chinook, the flag cannot be placed loosely on the ground.
The flag is rolled up, tied with Velcro, and secured with sandbags. The helicopter first flies straight over the flag and pulls it upward.
Once the ballast weight is off the ground, the Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) uses a special rope to remove the Velcro.
At the same time, the aircraft begins forward flight so that the flag is unfurled to the right. Timing and coordination between ground and flight personnel is critical to the procedure.
Special procedures are also required to land the flag. The difficulty here is that there must always be a small forward speed so that the flag wraps around the ballast weight and is not damaged.
Additionally, the flag must descend faster than its forward speed to prevent it from dragging on the ground. So the angle of descent is very sharp, which is very different from a normal landing.