The MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm) Bo-105 was a German light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. First flight was in 1967. Engine was from Allison and it was a versatile small helicopter with a four bladed rigid rotor. Production of the Bo-105C started around 1973 and many helicopters were delivered to the German BundesHeer.
Used for light unility transport, recon and also a special anti tank version with TOW or HOT missiles was developed. A specialist anti-tank version armed with Euromissile HOT missiles and designated as the Bo-105PAH-1 was procured by the German Army around the same time, with a total of 212 eventually being delivered. The Bo-105CBS had a slightly longer fuselage. Production ended in 2001.
Thirty Bo-105 choppers delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu) between 1975 - 1976 as a replacement for Piper Cubs. One extra heli (B-83) was taken over from KLM Helicopters in 1982. Was first used as a testbed for night-flying equipment, later was used operational. Later, some aircraft were modified with kevlar plates and chaff/flare dispensers for UN operations. They are referred to as Bo-105CB4 and also have slightly more powerfull engines. Last KLu helicopter was put out of service in 2003.
Also for civillian duties the BO-105 was used in The Netherlands, like by KLM Noordzee helicopters in the seventies and the Dutch police "Rijkspolitie" in the nineties.
This PART ONE Walkaround presents more than 300 photo's of the BO-105 as used in The Netherlands
PART TWO shows foreign operated Bo-105
Bo-105 with 3 colour scheme
This KLu helicopter has a three colour camo scheme.
Photographed by F. Adriaansen (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 United Nations scheme
This KLu helicopter was used for UNITED NATIONS peace operations.
Photographed by F. Adriaansen (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 with 2 colour scheme
This helicopter has a two colour scheme.
Photographed by F. Adriaansen (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 General details
Details of the KLu BO-105 helicopter.
Photographed by F. Adriaansen (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 in the winter
This helicopter was stationed at the German base at Blomberg, where a Dutch Anti-Aircraft detachment was deployed during the Cold War.
Photographed by F. Adriaansen (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 Royal Netherlands air force
Here a photo selection is seen of various BO-105 choppers as used in the nineteen seventies and eighties. The Dutch Air Force (Royal Netherlands AF) groep "lichte vliegtuigen" was the unit that used the type, primarily on behalf of the Dutch Army.
Photographed by Marcel Bouman (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 Royal Netherlands air force / Grasshoppers
This a BO-105 of the Grasshoppers. Probably the shown helicopter is museum preserved, at Volkel AFB.
Photographed 2013 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105
This BO-105 with code "B-67" of the Dutch Air Force was seen also preserved, at Volkel AFB.
Photographed 2013 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 Royal Netherlands air force / MLM
This a BO-105 that was at the MLM museum in 2012. It has a KFOR scheme and fitted with chaff dispensers. (the MLM museum will re-locate to another location in Soesterberg).
Photographed 2013 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
The same helicopter but now as on display at the (new) Dutch National Military Museum NMM:
Photographed July 2015 by Meindert de Vreeze (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105
This slide/photo collection shows various BO-105 the Dutch Air Force in the nineteen seventies and eighties.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Bo-105 details
This slide/photo collection shows various details of Dutch BO-105.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
MBB Bo-105c KLM helicopters
This slide/photo collection shows a BO-105c of KLM Noordzee helicopters "PH-NZJ". It was photographed in the nineteen seventies when it was used for various off shore and other duties by this KLM subsidiary.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
MBB Bo-105c Rijkspolitie
The Dutch Police used also the type for various duties like the "PH-RPW". It was operated by the "Rijkspolitie" in the nineteen nineties.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Various scale models exist of the Bolkow Bo-105, including 1/72 from Airfix and more recently Amodel, 1/48 from Fujimi/ ESCI and 1/32 from Revell/ Italeri.
Enthusiasts and historians may check out history and plastic models at our NedMil page here.....
PART TWO shows foreign operated Bo-105