In 1964 Theo Van Eijck was a cadet in the Dutch navy. He was unhappy with life in the military and wanted to get out to start over. But with 6 years still left on his service contract, he decided to steal military plane and make a run for it. He took off from Malta and managed to outrun three pursuing fighter jets and made it to Libya. After a week he knew he had to go back so he made a deal with the Dutch Government and returned home to a media storm and a short prison sentence.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Harry Graham

Picture: Theo Van Eijck leaning out of the cockpit of a plane
Credit: Theo Van Eijck