May events at Kjeller aerodrome, Oslo

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Totally new to this forum, I beg for your understanding for any linguistical errors, breaches of customs here etc – however; I look forward to participate.

My first topic is to inform you of the events planned for this May at Kjeller arrodrome, ENKJ. Kjeller is situated midways between Oslo and Gardermoen (Oslo’s main airport). It is (one of?) the oldest continually operated military airfields in the world.

It is also housing the largest GA aviation population in Norway, as well as being the centre point of historic flying in our hidden-away-part of the world.

The following is the invitation recently sent to the Tiger Moth community, and I thought this also might have some interest to some here on this forum.

Hope to see any/some/many of you – whatever means of transportation.

Best regards

Morten M

“Dear ”Tiger-tamers” and all other friends of the de Havilland aircraft.

Veteranflygruppen (The Veteran Aircraft Group) at Kjeller airport, near outside Oslo, takes great pleasure in inviting you to a Fly-in and Rally being held in the period of May 12th-17th.

This year’s “Open Day at Kjeller” will take place on Sunday May 13th. This annual event has grown from “opening the hangar doors to friends and neighbors and putting the kettle on” into something a bit bigger. Last year brought approx 5.000 smiling visitors (partially due to the free entrance ;-), nice weather and everything from Tigers to P-51 and F-16. The 2007 Open Day will be specially dedicated to the Tiger Moth. One reason is of course last year’s 75th anniversary; but May 13th will also be the official roll-out of LN-KFT. This is Norway’s only airworthy, licence built at Kjeller, Tiger Moth (The two others being built by Morris). It was flown out of Kjeller during those dramatic days in April 1940, narrowly escaping the Germans and being flown to Sweden on April 17th 1940. After the war it went into civilian service and flew for a great many years, until being tucked away in a barn in a very sorry state. It was searched for for quite some time, and after hard negotiations, it was bought (- at a price reflecting its historic significance, not its state…) by KFF (Kjeller Flyhistoriske Forening) and returned home. Thanks to a great many hands, including the Air Force repair facilities at Kjeller AB, it has gone through an extensive renovation lasting over 8 years. This restoration was based on the original drawings retrieved out from the Norwegian National Archives. Surprisingly, the Kjeller-built Tigers differ in many details from those UK built. Now she’s flying and will be the “Belle of the Ball” – a real gem…..!

We have already been notified that our Swedish friends will attend with at least 5 of the 12 airworthy Tigers in Sweden, all 3 Norwegian aircraft will of course be participating, and now we spread the word further throughout the community.

We realise that flying to Norway will be quite a challenge for some participants, so we are currently checking out every possible way of securing local sponsorship. We hope to be able to sweeten the finances somewhat for the participants. More about this to follow. Accomodation will be available at nearby hotels, as well as (probably) the Officer’s Mess and also in private homes, according to your desires.

The provisional program is as follows:

110507 Early arrivals.
120507 Main arrival period.
Get together party in evening.
130507 Kjeller Open Day 2007, possibly including formation fly by with Tigers.
140507 “Explore Norway by air” – Day I: Fly-in visit to Forsvarsmuseets Flysamling Gardermoen (RnoAF aircraft collection). We hope to take the 15 mins trip by air and park in their back yard!
150507 “Explore Norway by air” – Day II: Visit at the privately owned grass strip at the Maarud estate, where we also are welcome to see their very own little collection of vintage cars, motorcycles and agricultural equipment.
From Maarud, we proceed northwest, over wood clad hills and into more mountainous terrain. Landing takes place at ENFG – Leirinn Fagernes, on the top of the mountain, 2.700’ASL! After tucking the planes away for the night, the coach awaits us for the short drive to the Nythun mountain chalet. An afternoon and night of cosy atmosphere and supreme Norwegian food (no – that’s not meant as a joke! 😉 awaits us.
160507 “Explore Norway by air” – Day III: Departure Leirin for another exotic place: the mountain grass strip at Klanten (if the grass has dried up by then, after the heavy snow conditions it experiences during the winter). From there we continue towards the Notodden airport, almost at sea level but amidst tall mountains, it’s quite an experience. From there, we head back to Kjeller.
170507 Norway’s National Day – this has to be experienced to be fully understood. Tens of thousands of people wearing their finest clothes, many in national costumes, flags waving everywhere, all school children join the parade – and generally a big party! We are working towards a Tiger formation fly-by over the city centre of Oslo during the day.
180507 Off you go!

Alternative/supplemental activities, like local sightseeing etc will be arranged for those wishing that.

Basic briefings and necessary airfield charts etc for all flying in Norway will be provided.

The flying time following this program sketch will be approximately 4:30. Besides the Tigers, any de Havilland aircraft will be more than welcome. Should you wish to travel by other types or commercial airliner to get here – fine! Your _very_ early, non-binding, indication whether you will be participating will be highly appreciated!

So, Ladies and Gentlemen: Start planning, please forward any and all questions you might have, and start looking forward to this great trip. We hope to welcome you all in Norway.

Morten K. Agerup Myhr
Event coordinator
Mobile: +47-450 22 410
E-mail: [email]mkamyhr@online.no[/email]
Office: +47-22 71 81 90
Residence: +47-63 82 14 00″