The Flying Dutchman, that's the name of the new attraction in Madurodam. The flight experience in a life-size aircraft (18 meters long, 30 meters wide), a fully restored Douglas DC-3, is a tribute to the 100-year-old KLM. The pioneering spirit of this international high flyer is central to the sixth family attraction of the theme park in The Hague. The first (test) flights of the Flying Dutchman are scheduled for the public in June.

By then, more than eighteen months had been invested in the restoration and transformation of the aircraft into one of the last iconic silver aircraft with which the airline conquered the world and the hearts of many Dutch people. The attraction name 'The Flying Dutchman' used to adorn the side of KLM's fleet in the past and is therefore an obvious choice.

Biggest attraction ever

With an investment of 3,5 million euros, The Flying Dutchman is the biggest attraction in the history of Madurodam. The aircraft, which was flown in by land and sea from Florida to The Hague in October 2018, is currently equipped with a wide range of show techniques. Joris van Dijk, General Manager of Madurodam:

“An attraction of this size makes enormous demands on the knowledge and skills of our professionals, on a scale that we have never applied before, namely 1: 1. Everything on the plane is also completely custom-made. In that respect, The Flying Dutchman is also a testament to our own pioneering spirit and forward thinking: thanks to all the technology on board, we will soon offer visitors a unique Dakota experience! ”

Flight that goes beyond flying

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In the life-sized DC-3, visitors will take a flight through time and space, which goes beyond flying, and in which the pioneering spirit that has made our country great is central. 

Van Dijk thinks that KLM, with the progressive Albert Plesman at the helm in the early years, is a wonderful and above all inspiring example. Also for Madurodam. The airline and its President-Director, who sat on the first Supervisory Board of Madurodam, played an important role in the establishment of the park in 1952. KLM and Plesman were one of the sources of inspiration for the Dutch and offered a bit of hope for the future. , during the reconstruction of our country. 

“We are therefore very proud that we are allowing our visitors to relive KLM's progressive thinking, almost 68 years later. But in a completely contemporary way. We hope that The Flying Dutchman will once again become an unprecedented source of inspiration for the future for our visitors, young and old, from the Netherlands and abroad. ”, Says Van Dijk.

“A unique and innovative tribute to KLM's 100th anniversary. Past and future come together here in this wonderful experience! ”

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Madurodam - Flying Dutchman
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