RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team

Orden de batalla · Equipos de exhibición · Real Fuerza Aérea y Espacial de los Países Bajos

RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team

Apache Solo Display Team · Apache Demoteam

The Dutch air force’s solo AH-64D display from Gilze-Rijen, billed as the world’s first dedicated Apache demo team and an award winner at Fairford, flown in seasons between deployments.

2002Fundado
AH-64DAeronave
1In the display
SuspendedEstado
Photo: Archangel12 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
OperadorReal Fuerza Aérea y Espacial de los Países BajosPaísPaíses BajosTipoHelicopter display teamHome baseBase aérea de Gilze-RijenEstadoSuspended
La historia

RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team: how the team came to be and what it flies today

A one-off that stayed

The Apache Solo Display Team began in 2002 as a one-off for the air show at Gilze-Rijen, the home of the Dutch AH-64D fleet in North Brabant, and kept going. MILAVIA describes it as the first dedicated airshow solo demonstration team flying the Apache anywhere. The helicopter flew with its Hellfire racks and rocket pods removed and, from 2013, with defensive-aids pods that allowed flare releases in the display. In July 2005 the team won the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.

Seasons between deployments

Operational demand dictated the team’s life. It stood down after 2005 as Dutch Apaches deployed abroad and returned in 2010, with its first show at Fairford, where it won the best overseas flying display award in 2011. A shortage of aircraft and personnel cancelled the 2012 season. The team came back in 2013, flying Q-17 in artwork for the centenary of Dutch military aviation, with Major Roland Blankenspoor and Captain Harm Cazemier as pilots, and MILAVIA lists display schedules into 2015. The AH-64D was retired in March 2024 and the fleet is being rebuilt as AH-64Es; no Apache display season has been announced since.

Operational demand dictated the team’s life. It stood down after 2005 as Dutch Apaches deployed abroad and returned in 2010, with its first show at Fairford, where it won the best overseas flying display award in 2011.RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team · verified 2026-10-02
De un vistazo

RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team in numbers

The team

Formation
1 helicopter

  • Solo AH-64D display
  • Eight people: two pilots, two coaches, four technicians (2013)

El avión

Flown
Boeing AH-64D Apache

  • AH-64D Apache (2002–c. 2015)

Hogar

Based at
Base aérea de Gilze-Rijen

  • 301 Squadron, Defence Helicopter Command

The display

Aircraft in the display
1
El avión

Every type RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team has flown

Aeronave Años Number Nota
Boeing AH-64D Apache 2002–2015 1 One helicopter per season; AH-64D retired from Dutch service in March 2024.
Known for

What RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team is known for

  • Sir Douglas Bader Trophy at the Royal International Air Tattoo, July 2005 (Wikipedia).
  • Best overseas flying display at RIAT and best overall helicopter display at RNAS Yeovilton in 2011 (Luchtvaartnieuws).
  • Centenary artwork on Q-17 for the 2013 season (MILAVIA).
Cronología

RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team, year by year

2002

Team formed as a one-off for the Gilze-Rijen air show.

2005

Wins the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy at RIAT, Fairford.

2010

Returns after a five-year break with a display at Fairford.

2012

2012 season cancelled for lack of aircraft and personnel.

2013

Comeback display at the Luchtmachtdagen, Volkel.

2024

Last AH-64Ds retired ahead of conversion to AH-64E.

Preguntas y respuestas

Everything people ask about RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team

Does the Dutch Apache demo team still fly?
No season has been announced since the mid-2010s. The AH-64D the team flew was retired in March 2024 while the fleet converts to the AH-64E.
What did the Apache Solo Display Team fly?
A single Boeing AH-64D Apache from the Royal Netherlands Air Force fleet at Gilze-Rijen.
When was the Apache Solo Display Team formed?
In 2002, initially as a one-off for the Gilze-Rijen air show.
Which awards did the team win?
The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy at RIAT in 2005, and in 2011 the best overseas display at RIAT and best helicopter display at Yeovilton.

Continúa el recorrido

Around RNLAF Apache Solo Display Team

El operadorReal Fuerza Aérea y Espacial de los Países BajosFleet, bases and order of battle of the service that flies the team.Lea la página de la Real Fuerza Aérea y Espacial de los Países Bajos.Home baseBase aérea de Gilze-RijenThe units, runways and history of the airfield the team flies from.Read the base pageHelicopter display teamGrasshoppersThe Dutch air force’s four-ship Alouette III team from Deelen, admired across Europe, which ended with the type’s run-down in 1995 after flying…Read the Grasshoppers pageEquipos de exhibiciónEvery military display teamAll the formation, solo and helicopter teams in the Order of Battle, active and disbanded.Open the list
Fuentes y lecturas adicionales

Todos los datos, verificados

Verified 2026-10-02.