Mayor Baltus gives flying start to 50th anniversary Aviodrome

Mayor Mieke Baltus of Lelystad kicks off the 50th anniversary of Aviodrome Aviation Museum on Saturday, July 10. She will open the airplane folding and throwing championship by making and throwing the first one herself.

The museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To celebrate, visitors are challenged throughout the summer to throw their self-folded airplane as far as possible. Each week, the best three participants will win prizes. The winner of the week wins a round trip in a real airplane.

"We are very honored that the brand new mayor would like to open our anniversary summer. We are extremely proud of our history and the growth we have experienced over all these years. That's why we want to share our celebration with everyone this year," said general manager Serena van Kammen.

InspireAviodrome is the aviation museum of the Netherlands. The museum has won several awards in the Best Outing election of the ANWB. In addition, Aviodrome has been voted Flevoland's most child-friendly museum by Museumkids nine times in a row.

"It is great to be able to teach everyone, young and old, something about the rich history of aviation in the Netherlands. We hope to inspire people and enthuse the younger generation to do something with aviation themselves. That is why we have chosen to organize the airplane folding championship, which is where many people's passion for aviation started. Think for example of Anthony Fokker, from whom a number of original folding planes are on display in our museum," says Van Kammen.

Over one hundred aircraftIn 1971, Aviodome opened its doors at Schiphol Airport. Most of the aircraft could be viewed in this large aluminum dome, which was unique for the time. The museum's collection continued to grow, making the dome too small. In 2003, the aviation museum moved to its current location in Lelystad, where the name was changed to Aviodrome.

The aviation museum's collection now consists of more than one hundred aircraft and helicopters. "Our collection has grown tremendously in fifty years. With the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet, Douglas DC-2 and the Fokker Spin, and restoration projects such as that of the Fokker S.4, we have something for all enthusiasts," Van Kammen said.

HighlightsAviodrome Aviation Museum has experienced plenty in the past fifty years, Van Kammen explains. "Think, for example, of the spectacular arrival of the KLM Boeing 747. This aircraft was dismantled and transported by water to Harderwijk, after which the plane made the final journey by road. Another beautiful moment was the arrival of the Lockheed L-749 Constellation. The 'Connie' was flown in from the United States and can now be admired inside. The aircraft is one of our showpieces."

The museum's collection is currently on display on the outdoor grounds and in three buildings: the main building, Schiphol 1928 and the T2 Hangar. This houses the vast collection, as well as an exhibition of the National Space Museum. Several aircraft are also being refurbished in the T2 Hangar, such as the Noorduyn Norseman.