Kuwait Express by
Robert Tomlin
00-DNF, one of DHL Europes fleet on loan to the Middle East, comes
in to land at Kuwait International Airport, at 08:25 GMT on 20th March
1991, only days after the end of the Gulf War. Operating from
Bahrain and flown by Capt. Wasberg and First Officer Pierre De Naeyer,
this aircraft has the distinction of being the first civil aircraft into
the liberated airport. Hastily painted under the DHL logo can be
seen the words Kuwait Express, from which our painting takes its title.
Headed by Capt. Manu Tytgat, the detachment of DHF and its sister ship
00-VGH, nicknamed 'Silver Fox', which was still wearing EAT markings, kept
the DHL promise and delivered important materials to enable business to
resume as soon as possible after the liberation of the Kuwait capital.
As DHF comes in to land, it passes the wreckage of the British Airways
Boeing 747 which was stranded in Kuwait at the outbreak of hostilities and
eventually destroyed by the Iraqis. It will stay there for some
weeks, the only useful parts being the engines which will ultimately be
reclaimed. There is feverish activity at this time, with USAF
Galaxy's, together with helicopters and C-130 Hercules from several allied
forces, bringing much-needed military supplies and equipment for the
rapidly advancing forces.
The ubiquitous Convairs, for many years the backbone of the DHL network
in Europe, are still in daily operation, carrying customers' packages
every night and 'Keeping Promises'.
Early Morning Arrival by Robert Watts Depicting Constellation four engined airliner.
Flagship Over Manhattan by Robert Watts An American Airlines DC-3, one of the 29 in service by 1936 with right
hand doors, outbound from La Guardia Airport.
