Dutch Aviodrome Closes Its Doors – December 24, 2011

[dharris]

I received the following message from Eelco Groenenberg yesterday reporting on the news of the apparent demise of the Aviodrome Aviation Theme Park in Lelystad, Netherlands.

“Today is a sad day. The Dutch museum Aviodrome, home of Constellation N749NL, closed its doors today. The museum filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 8, 2011 and has been actively seeking financial sponsors. Yesterday the word came that no parties had been found and the museum was declared bankrupt. Although the search for funds continues, it will be difficult due to the poor economical climate. The employees of the museum are hopeful that a solution will be found. The worst case scenario is the auctioning off of the museum’s collection. Let's hope this will not happen because the museum houses very rare planes, some of them in flying condition, like the Lockheed 749 Constellation and a Douglas DC-2.”<center>

</center>In addition, Luchtvaartnieuws reports that 56 staff members will be terminated, with 36 on December 29, 2011 and the remaining 20 on January 9, 2012. Preparations are underway for the auction of the museum’s buildings and all equipment, which is expected to take six weeks. The DC-3’s of DDA Classic Airlines are not included in the bankruptcy and KLM plans on creating a foundation to care for the DC-2. No mention is made about the museum’s Constellation. With all the blood, sweat, tears and money expended on the restoration of this airplane and its 5,000 mile flight from Arizona to Holland, it would be a real shame if a new owner wasn’t found who can properly care for this historic aircraft. A new owner who gets her back flying again would be even better!


http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#NOV08

[falcon409]

Sad News. I'm not familiar with the Museum, but you don't really have to be to be saddened by what could be a major loss to aviation history. Let's hope a benefactor can be found that appreciates the gravity of what could be lost.:salute:

[Ferry_vO]

I am very familiar with the museum (Been there six or seven times this year alone!) and I do have a few thoughts about the current situtation but none that I can express in this family forum...

At least we still have a few photos..

Fokker C.V:



Fokker F.VII:



Fokker S.12 prototype:



Fokker S.14 Machtrainer:



Fokker Spin (Spider; 1936 replica):




The DDA DC-3 and the Aviodrome's most famous aircraft, the DC-2 'uiver':



The Uiver and the Connie (Last airworthy short-nosed L749!):



The Schiphol (EHAM) 1928 terminal building replica:



And of course we can't forget the Fs Weekends held there each year in November:

[Bruce Thompson]

What a terrible thing to happen and at this time of year, I find myself stuck for words to describe how I feel.
Very very sad news!!

[robcap]

Hi all,

it indeed is sad news, I was going to post on the subject as well.

Today I received word from the foundation: 'Friends of the Aviodrome' ('Stichting Vriendenkring Aviodrome', in Dutch)
They are a seperate entity, not linked to the bankrupcy, which makes sure it's funds are spend on the upkeep of the museum collection.
Not only planes, but also numerous valuable historic items, photo's, books, etc.

Since the DC2 is a payware project, all proceeds were sent directly to the bank account of this 'Friends' foundation.
That way I knew the money was spent directly on the upkeep of the Douglas DC2, and not to pay staff wages etc.

At the moment they are working, together with the museum, to find a solution.
There is still light at the end of the tunnel, and we are working to get there.
In the near future, a fundraising will be started, to help in this effort.

So, by buying the DC2, you're helping the museum as well now.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks,

Rob.

[Mithrin]

It's sad indeed. It's such a cool place with so much flying history nearby! Took a S.11 flight there last year which was brilliant!

[dharris]

Thanks for the pictures Ferry_vO, some great ones there

[Roger]

Having been closely involved with the Dc2X project i sincerely hope a way can be found to keep the museum open. Rob, if a paypal donate button exists for the Aviodrome project, I'm sure many of us would offer a little to help...

[IFlySWA]

Very sad. I hope those aircraft find a good home.

Brian

[Francois]

I worked there as a volunteer since last June. My scheduled Friday the 8th is cancelled, as are all other 300+ volunteers.. and all 30+ staff have been fired.

Too stupid for words that we let such a valuable heritage demise, while we help all bank directors keep their jobs and their private millions with tax payers money !

The world is going south at warp speed !

[PutPut]

I have made five trips to Holland (my wife is Dutch) and always went to the Aviodome, first at Schipol and then at Lelystad. I didn't go this last trip (summer 2011) because we could go next time. Now, it looks like there will be no next time. Sad.

Paul

[Bjoern]

Let's hope the aircraft find new, caring owners. Like the technical museums in Speyer and/or Sinsheim which could open a new subsection entirely dedicated to Fokker. Speyer also has an airfield with a ~1600m runway, from which the Connie and DC-2 can operate.

[robcap]

Having been closely involved with the Dc2X project i sincerely hope a way can be found to keep the museum open. Rob, if a paypal donate button exists for the Aviodrome project, I'm sure many of us would offer a little to help...

That is a great idea, Roger, I suggested it to the Aviodrome guys, and will look into the possibility myself. It will be part of the official fundraising.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers, Rob

[fliger747]

Very sad news indeed. I worked with Rob on the DC2 project and he generously picked me up in Amsterdam to take me to the museum for Sim Weekend a couple of years ago. I was very impressed with the facility and even got to visit Uvier in the hangar. Also had a chance to meet many of the enthuiastic members of the sim community and learn much.

Sometims the planes do get to move to a new venue. The Chaplain Fighter Museum planes ended up at Boeing's Museum of Flight in Seattle, in a whole new wing.

Best regards: Tom

[Bruce Thompson]

I worked there as a volunteer since last June. My scheduled Friday the 8th is cancelled, as are all other 300+ volunteers.. and all 30+ staff have been fired.

Too stupid for words that we let such a valuable heritage demise, while we help all bank directors keep their jobs and their private millions with tax payers money !

The world is going south at warp speed !

Well said Francios, I agree in full with your sentiments the World is going south at warp speed!!

[huub vink]

The museum has (or should I say had) several unique Fokker aircraft, among which a completely original Fokker C.V and a beautiful F.VII (First real airliner!). I hope it will be possible to keep this aircraft in the Netherlands. It is weird to see this museum going bankrupt as they didn't have to complain about the amount of visitors.

Huub

[Francois]

According to insiders too much money was spent on trying to get some of the aircraft airworthy again, and the income from visitors could never cover that. When income from 'business conferences' didn't materialize, bad weather was looming ! And with Schiphol and KLM refusing to sponsor any further, the financial troubles became deadly.

Many of the aircraft are NOT owned by the museum, and their rightful owners will need to find a new place for them.. or sell them.

[DennyBoy]

I worked there as a volunteer since last June. My scheduled Friday the 8th is cancelled, as are all other 300+ volunteers.. and all 30+ staff have been fired.

Too stupid for words that we let such a valuable heritage demise, while we help all bank directors keep their jobs and their private millions with tax payers money !

The world is going south at warp speed !

I Agree to all you say in the mater.

Best Regard
DennyBoy

[robcap]

Latest news:
several groups have joined force, (some foundations, funds, some 'welthy Dutch people').
Next week they will start a public campain, and a website will be launched.

Thanks for your concern, I will keep you posted.

Cheers, Rob

[Roger]

Ahhh some good news at last. Thanks Rob for posting! Bl***y great news:greenbo:

[Javis]

several groups have joined force, (some foundations, funds, some 'welthy Dutch people')

AFAIK i haven't been contacted sofar... :costum:

Will be interesting to see if the 'Royal Family' will help to put a stop to this possible dutch aviation travesty.... Talk about whealthy people, éh ?... ( i believe Beatrix is one of the richest women in the world... ) Many KLM aircraft, Schiphol hangars, buildings are honoured with their names, even a complete airport. Bernhard was an avid aviator as well as his, soon to be King of The Netherlands, grandson is now ( no doubt WE payed for his training.. ) If there ever was a chance for them to give something in return, NOW is the time !

Maybe a hint would help : change Aviodrome into Trixodrome, or Alexodrome, or even Maxidrome...

Btw, wasn't a good idea to change Aviodome into Aviodrome in the first place, was it.... ( 'drome' means 'dream' in dutch.... and dreams have a nasty habit of usually not becoming a reality ) let alone transplant the museum from the Schiphol premises ( where it damm well belonged !! ) to something as relatively 'remote' as Lelystad airport.... If you ask me that was an unbelievably stupid action and no doubt the forerunner of the deplorable situation that the museum is in now.

Can we say " Shame on you, KLM/Schiphol bobo's !! " ??.... Yes, we can !! :violent:

( Ok, difficult times.... Air France possibly had something big to say in this matter. They have Dassault, Airbus.... who cares about them little Fokkers, n'est pas... )

Anyway, good to know it will not go under 'zonder slag of stoot' , Rob ! Thanks for the info !

" Je maintiendrai " dan maar weer, hè...

Jan

[Francois]

Agreed Jan.

But Maxidrome !!?? Hmmmm........

[Javis]

Why not ?.... I can see a huge poster of her face in bridal fashion right above the entrance door. If you shove a ten euro note in the slot next to the door a tear will weld up in her eye and fall down gracefully along her royal cheek while a short tango will be played by Carel Kraayenhof.


That'll produce a fair amount of revenues, i'm sure.

Hey, it's 2012, nothing crazy enough to make a buck !

[Francois]

[robcap]

Hi Guys

There's now a facebookpage --> https://www.facebook.com/wingsforaviodrome (Please go like it, more info will be added soon) and a webpage --> http://www.geefaviodromeweervleugels.nl/



There will be an English site later, but here's the google translate version (so excuse the poor English )

I already discussed a donate button, let's hope they add it when the start with the public apeal.



Press Release
<big>"Collective" investigates various scenarios relaunch Aviodrome</big>
Lelystad, January 18, 2012 - The Collective, 20 cooperating aviation organizations and individuals who are committed to the aviation collection from the aviation theme park Aviodrome after his failure to survive, is currently investigating several scenarios to let Aviodrome start again. This will soon be further discussed with the Libéma group, but also with other parties various options are discussed.



National Aviation Heritage
The Collective has experienced in recent weeks that there is broad support for the relaunch of the bankrupt Dutch aviation heritage collection. In the coming weeks, the Collective of these and other parties to continue seeking funding for the collection of historical aviation Aviodrome secure, including a national public action is considered. In cooperation with the major national cultural funds.



New life
The Collective that the relaunch of the Aviodrome aims consists of various aviation organizations that deal with historical aviation, the city of Lelystad, enthusiastic and wealthy individuals and former employees of the Aviodrome. In consultation with the curator of the National Aviation Theme Park Aviodrome Collective remains to find a way to bankrupt the aviation theme park and the aviation museum in Lelystad new impetus.

Proud aviation history
Dutch aviation history exists in the collective of many famous and renowned national and international highlights. The spectacular flight of the "Uiver" to Australia, for example, made in a decade in which Fokker's largest aircraft factory in the world, where the KLM route to the Dutch East Indies, the longest line in the world and which Schiphol is one of the most modern airports Europe would be. All this, with the largest collection of historic Fokker aircraft worldwide, is part of the collection of Aviodrome. Mayor Fackeldey of Lelystad: "It can not have those proud national aviation history for the Netherlands is lost".

Call
The Collective calls to anyone who can play a role in the relaunch. Organizations and individuals can contribute to the preservation of the national aviation collection of Aviodrome, are requested to contact the Collective. This can be done via email info@geefaviodromeweervleugels.nl . More information is available on the site www.geefaviodromeweervleugels.nl. On this site you can also enroll in future be kept informed.

Cheers, Rob