Fokker D.XXI PH-XXI an airworthy rebuild of the Dutch World War Two fighter, made a successful debut flight from Hoogeveen in the Netherlands on May 23.

Last summer FlyPast reported that the Fokker’s hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems had been tested along with all flight controls. Following some final work to the cockpit, and the fine tuning to some of the sheet metal and wheel covers, the project – led by Jack van Egmond and his two sons Hans and Jack junior – then received a Permit to Fly from the Dutch authorities.

The younger Jack was in the cockpit for the first flight. The aircraft carries the serial number ‘229’ – the original version was lost on May 11, 1940 in a combat with three Messerschmitt Bf 110s – injured pilot Sgt Koos Roos was thrown clear of the stricken fighter but managed to pull the chord on his parachute