Major 'Boy' Soons

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I am having trouble making contact with members of 334 and 336 Sqns and hope anyone reading this may be from either squadron or recall squadron members. Can anyone help with contacts who flew the F27 troopship? I am doing research into Dutch air force use of the F27.

Knew I had a few pics of this gent flying the Troopship, so I dug them out and scanned the prints. Technically they’re not very good, but I hope give a flavour of the guys flying style. In the take-off shot it appears that Boy’s idea of rotation was to retract the undercarriage; the other shot is unusual in that both engines are turning and he’s flying straight and level.
Couldn’t get away with a display like that these days.

Do the Dutch not throw their planes around at RIAT anymore (haven’t been in years)? Has the HSE caught up with them?

That Troopship display was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Kon Marine were at it too… I’ll always remember queueing in the traffic jam one year and seeing a Dutch P-3 right above us, standing on it’s wing as it went ’round the corner’ – happy days…

The Dutch display the F-16 and the AH-64 these days, the PC7 trainer having been dropped. When the F27 was retired in 1994, the replacement Fokker 50/60 was never displayed unfortunately. I really don’t know what effect the HSE would have on air displays? :rolleyes: The Navy did display the P-3 and P-2 and Atlantic prior, but never to the extremes of the Troopship which set new standards in large aeroplane chuckability.
Even that display is overshadowed these days by the Italian C-27 (updated G222) that loops, rolls, derrys and knife edges like a fighter.

It also brings to mind Maj “Bertie” Bertelson, RDAF, who used to do similar things with the RDAF C-130!

A Danish C-130 display?! Never heard of that, though the Swedes certainly threw one a round with gusto…

More on Boy Soons

[QUOTE=Resmoroh;1697990]Forgive me if I pick nits, but I thought the name was ‘Schoons’. But I was no ‘spring chicken’

Hello Resmoroh,

Although “Schoons” is a dutch name, the person I am referring to is
indeed “Boy” Soons and, as far as I know, he was the only one in the RNAF
with that name. The nickname “Boy” he must have received during pilot training as, I believe, he either trained in the USA or Canada. It was later confirmed, many years after my demob, that he
had been promoted as the result of all pilots obtaining officer ranks and that
included sergeant pilots. It also applied to the squadron’s technical chief who
had the rank of adjudant when I was there and he demobed with the rank of
captain. A well deserved rank for a real gentleman raconteur!

John Bisscheroux 🙂

Boy was in my squadron during the years 1955 thru 1957 as a Sergeant
pilot on Meteor Mk8 in Twenthe and subsequently, Woensdrecht air bases.

At the time, I gues, he was in his mid twenties and a few years older than I
was (25). He would probably have been in his early to mid eighties now.

I have learned a few years ago from my ex airforce boss Goof Sakkers that he has passed away.

I also learned that he designed the 326 squadron crest (Sicut Serpens) and
I always enjoyed his playing the piano in the mess (off tune and all!!) after a few brews.

Cool post and welcome to the forums

Forgive me if I pick nits, but I thought the name was ‘Schoons’. But I was no ‘spring chicken’ in a number of the very early Greenham Common Air Tattoos when I was part of the (volunteer and unpaid) Met team. Memories fade but that F.27 display was ‘formidable‘. It also brings to mind Maj “Bertie” Bertelson, RDAF, who used to do similar things with the RDAF C-130!
Resmoroh

‘Boy’ Soons

Boy was in my squadron during the years 1955 thru 1957 as a Sergeant
pilot on Meteor Mk8 in Twenthe and subsequently, Woensdrecht air bases.

At the time, I gues, he was in his mid twenties and a few years older than I
was (25). He would probably have been in his early to mid eighties now.

I have learned a few years ago from my ex airforce boss Goof Sakkers that he has passed away.

I also learned that he designed the 326 squadron crest (Sicut Serpens) and
I always enjoyed his playing the piano in the mess (off tune and all!!) after a few brews.

Well, if he is still alive, he’ll be an old, bold pilot.

I remember his displays at many venues in that F27. There are some clips on YouTube for those unlucky enough to have missed him.

Incredible given the way he used to throw a F27 Troopship around the skies.

Do the Dutch not throw their planes around at RIAT anymore (haven’t been in years)? Has the HSE caught up with them?

That Troopship display was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Kon Marine were at it too… I’ll always remember queueing in the traffic jam one year and seeing a Dutch P-3 right above us, standing on it’s wing as it went ’round the corner’ – happy days…