229'S HISTORY

"229"

Fokker D21 of Koos Roos

This is the story of the 229.

In May 1940 German forces invaded the Netherlands in a massive surprise attack that would only last five days. To oppose the German forces, the Dutch air force only had a few dozens of first-line fighters and bombers of the types D-XXI, G-1 and T-V. Quite a number of them were destroyed on the ground by surprise attacks of the Luftwaffe and only a handful of aircraft were able to engage the enemy. In spite of the inferior material of the Dutch air force, individual pilots scored not all too bad against the Luftwaffe planes as we will see! One of these heroic missions was flown on 11 May 1940. The D-XXI pilot's lt. Focquin de Grave, sgt. Koos Roos and sgt. Burger took off in their planes nos. 213, 229 and 242 to escort two Fokker T-V bombers nos. 850 and 856. The task of the bombers was to destroy the Maas bridges at Rotterdam. The mission was a complete disaster. The bombers missed the bridges and on their way back 850 was shot down by German fighters. The 856 escaped, but only to be shot down on its next mission 2 days later!

Also the escorting D-XXI's were heavily attacked by German fighters. The 229, flown by Koos Roos became separated from his comrades and was attacked by three Me-110 fighters. After his plane was hit several times, Koos prepared to bail-out by releasing his seat straps and the cockpit canopy. To his great surprise, the canopy hit the engine of the pursuing Me-110 which went promptly down with a smoking engine! Koos discovered that he still had full control over his plane and he escaped in a cloud. When he came out, he was directly on the tail of the second Me-110. He immediately opened fire and saw the rear gunner collapse in his seat. Also this plane went down with a smoking engine.

Next, 229 were hit again and Koos lost his consciousness. Lucky for him, he was thrown out of his plane and when falling down he regained consciousness realizing that 'he was feeling lots of fresh air'!
With his right arm paralyzed, he managed to open his parachute with his left arm with very little margin since he was very close to the ground when the parachute opened.
Koos came down near the place where the 229 had crashed badly bleeding with a broken right arm, bullets in his leg and 20mm shell fragments in his head and left shoulder.

Also the Focquin de Grave was shot down; only sgt. Burger succeeded to land safely on his airbase. Focquin de Grave managed to crash land his 213 and he also survived his encounter with the Luftwaffe.

Sgt. Koos Roos survived the war, but he was tragically killed in the early fifties when he crashed with a helicopter.

With the 229 in 2021 back in air we shall remember Sgt. Roos, for his effort during the German invasion!
And he shall be in our minds for ever! And also in the soul of his 229!

''Watch for the hun in the sun''

The future of 229

By flying 229 we remember those who defended the Netherlands in 1940, we remember Koos Roos, we remember the second world war in the Netherlands, we remember all vetrans of the Royal Dutch Air Force, and we remember all the victims of the second world war.

Our job is flying 229 with memorials, airshow displays, and a lot more. So we can remember the sacrifises made by the men and women who fought for our freedom.

Together with our highly skilled technicians we restored her to the old glory. We will maintain her pain sakenly. So we have 229 in top condition!

Also our pilots are highly trained for all kinds of air maneuvering, so they will perform perfect memorial flights and displays.

Also the far future does not have to be a major problem. Jack Van Egmond together with his wife Willy Van Egmond have 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter. Their two sons are Certified Aircraft Engineers too. Jack and Willy are also proud grandparents they have 6 grandchildren in total and all the grandchildren are highly interested in this kind of aviation.

Tom, Jack his oldest grandson was already from the start of the project a part of the 229's crew, Tom is still very fanatic with the restoration. Also Jack his other grandchildren are prepared to help at any moment. And with Tom studying for Certified Aircraft Engineer at the Deltion College, The future in maintaining, flying and ect. of 229 is not a problem. Marc and Ryan, also two grandsons of Jack are going to study for Certified Aircraft Engineer. And all they have the passion as their grandfather!

Not only the new generation of the Egmond family is active within the project. Ruben , Arjan and Lies , are also active in te project. all 3 studying for Certified Aircraft Engineer also at the Deltion College. so in this project we have a lot of youngsters working to keep 229 flying!

Jack and Willy their grandchildren are the successors in ownership of 229 and the other aircraft Jack owned. So the future is not a problem. 229 will stay in the Egmond family.

So with that on track the new generation of 229's crew is very enthusiastic and they are going to give 229 a great future!!

''The Egmond family, truly a aviation family''

#EgmondAircraftEngineering

''Dutch Flying Legend''