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Dutch Profile Soesterberg Wolfhounds
The history of the 32nd TFS USAFE in The Netherlands
Authors: Tim van Kampen – Luuk Boerman
Publisher: Dutch Profile
ISBN: 978-94-90092-46-7
Printed 2023 - reprint
63 pages
Price: 17,95 euro
The 2023 edition of the Wolfhounds or the only Royal squadron within the USAFE based in Soesterberg during the cold war. The 32nd TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron) served at the airbase from 1954 until September 1994 when the last aircraft departed from the base.
This edition of Dutch Profile focuses on the history of the squadron and describes all aircraft from the F-86 Sabre, via the F-100 Super Sabre, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger to the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle. The T-33 is not forgotten either. Interesting detail is that the squadron was stationed on Curaçao (Hato) during the Second World War, from 1942 to 1944, so that already was the first Dutch connection.
For me it evokes a lot of nice memories, initially the Phantoms that I was able to admire and photograph during the open days at that time, but also driving in my 2CV to Soesterberg and just in front of the fence (not high), with many other spotters, see the F-15s taxi by. Back then, spotting was nice and easy!! Of course, I took a lot of slides.
The book has ninety-seven photos, many of them in color and Luuk Boerman provided five pages with side views in color. Like the other editions, this book is bilingual Dutch and English.
While browsing through I came across a comment about the F-100 Super Sabre, indicating that there were also F-100F aircraft assigned to the 32nd, the "F" version is the two-seater. I do not think the 32nd ever had two-seaters. There have been some on the base, but not 32 TFS, perhaps that has caused confusion. Incidentally, the squadron was already over to the Delta Daggers. Usually Luuk Boerman is well informed, the fact that there are no photos and no side views drawn by Luuk Boerman of the F-100F seems to confirm that.
Conclusion
I think this is already the third reprint if I counted correctly and apart from some new photos nothing has changed. If you missed it last time, it remains an interesting expense to have in the closet. The publication gives an overview of the history of this Tactical Fighter Squadron in the Netherlands in the Dutch and English language and the photo captions are also bilingual.
Thanks to Dutch Profile for making it available for review.
Reviewer : Fred Bachofner
this review was published October 2023 by M. de Vreeze, IPMS NL webmaster