DUTCH HAWKER HUNTER FOUNDATION (DHHF)

DHHF was established in 2005 by a group of military aircraft enthousiasts with as its goal the operation and conservation of a Hawker Hunter ex-military jet, both as a tribute to a great classic fighter aircraft and as a memento to the history of the Dutch airforce squadrons who flew the Hunter in great numbers during the fifties and sixties of last century.

Thanks to the cooperation of Dutch and British aviation authorities and the support of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (Klu), in January 2007 DHHF was able to acquire its Hawker Hunter T.8C in the United Kingdom from a private owner. After thorough preparation of both the aircraft, her new pilots and her ground crew, on the 15th of May 2007, the Hunters, in authentic Dutch livery, was flown to its new Dutch home at Leeuwarden Air Force Base. The classic shape of the Hunters was back in Dutch airspace after 40 years since it was out-phased in 1968.

DHHF operates its Hunters for some 40 hours a year from Leeuwarden AFB. Prime object is to participate in air shows and other events on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (Klu), and also to attend other air events in the Netherlands and adjacent countries. Additionally, the flight schedule provides for the necessary training and test flights. Apart from flying the Hunters, DHHF makes its Hunters available on location for visits and viewings for Klu and Klu-related organizations.

The Hunter is British registered as G-BWGL, and all operations are conducted in full compliance with Civil Aviation Authority's regulations regarding the operation of ex-military jets. Also, the relevant regulations of Dutch Civil Aviation Authority (IVW) are taken into account, and as the aircraft is hosted by Klu, DHHF operates its Hunters within specific set of rules agreed with Leeuwarden AFB.

DHHF is run by volunteers in all its echelons, all of them highly motivated to make this operation a lasting success. Its Board Members are all professional people with a background in industry, finance and aviation. Flight and ground crew are both active and former air force personnel spending a good deal of their time to keep the Dutch Hawker Hunter legend alive.

The acquisition and exploitation of an ex-military jet is a costly affair. Four dedicated aviation enthousiasts provided DHHF with the financing needed to acquire its Hawker Hunter. Its flying operations are financially supported by a number of sponsors, both businesses and private individuals on the basis of longer term contracts.