One of the most significant names in the mainland European warbird scene, this versatile Dutchman has a fascinating array of experience as an operational, test and display pilot
Mainland Europe today boasts a varied, vibrant warbird scene. Not too long ago, organisers of shows on the continent had to bring Mustangs, Spitfires and the like in from the UK, but no longer. Given the extent of this growth, it’s easy to forget how things once were. In the Netherlands, for instance, there were no true warbirds at all until 1990, when a group of pilots imported a B-25J Mitchell, repainted it in Dutch squadron colours, and put it onto the display and commemorative circuit. It became one of the most familiar, and best-loved, European warbirds.
One of the leading flights in this operation, which they called the Duke of Brabant Air Force, was Edwin Boshoff. At the time he was a test pilot for Fokker, on airliners and F-16s, but he had long possessed a diverse range of aviation interests. His experience covers a very broad spread of aeroplanes, including military aircraft from numerous air arms — most of which, remarkably, he’s flown as a civilian. On the historic front he’s been involved with most of the main Du…
