Planes and stuff

KLM colors at Madeira (PH-HZM, on service with Transavia but still with KLM colors was, in August 2006, the only time I saw the dutch airline colors around here) KLM Celebrates today its 100 aniversary, becaming the first airline to operate under the original name for more than 100 years. Congratulations! Originaly tough to be named as Dutch Airlines, it received by the Queen the Honor to carry the name "Royal" (Koninklijke), so becaming Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (Royal Company of Aviation)...well...let's just stick to the KLM :) :) In Portugal,, the KLM is part of one of World War II little misteries: When the Nederland was invaded by the germans, some of the KLM planes outside the country went to England and the Dutch Goverment in exile / British authorities decided to put them to use (and its crews) with BOAC. In June, 1st 1943, the flight KLM/BOAC 777 departed from Lisbon to Withchurch (near Bristol) but never managed to reach its destiny...was s...

Today I noticed that the plane that made the Transavia flight, from Amsterdam was the PH-HZM . Nothing special there...no special livery, no story at all... But then, I was checking some old photos when I noticed this one very special: The first time I caught KLM colors....and, as far as I know, the only time those colors were here at Madeira. The plane: PH-HZM , the same one of today! Back then, (3th August 2006) the plane had just returned to Transavia, after some time on duty with KLM and was still using its colors...Great!!! I remember it was a day I had went to the airport to photograph an An12 (another very rare visitor) and was about to leave when the Transavia was arriving. Still though of leaving without photographing it but, as I was already there, so waited a bit....and BIG prize!! I couldn't believe... Anyway a unique catch on my colection...