The Brussels Air Museum is located within the ‘Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire’, which looks more like a palace than a series of exhibition halls. This very impressive collection of aircraft and is made even more pleasing to the eye of the aviation photographer, by the grandiose surroundings in which they are displayed.

 Former SABENA Aérospatiale SE 210 Caravelle 6N (OO-SRA),
illuminated by the low winter light shining through the spectacular south facing window.

A Brief History of the Museum

I first visited the museum in 1976. In those days the museum consisted of over 70 identifiable aircraft, 42 of which were still on display in 2005, many were still roughly in the same places even. By December 2005 and during my latest visit, I noted that the aircraft on display had grown to almost 100.

Above: The ‘Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire’ from the front, showing the vast aviation hall rising above the grand museum entrance.

Above: Three views from inside taken from upper tier. The first two images are from the front of the museum (left and right sides), the final image was from the back, looking over the C-119G Flying Boxcar.

Where the Museum was unable to get original examples of former Belgian Air Force serving aircraft, they have been acquiring alternative examples, such as; a Caudron G.III, DHC.1 Chipmunk, CF-100 Canuck, Meteor NF.11, F-86F Sabre and DH.89 Dragon Rapide (Dominie).

Restoration in progress
What I particularly like about the Museum is that it is a working museum. Volunteers perform painstaking restoration in workshops at the far end of the hall and also within the main exhibition area. Restoration is formally carried out by two groups, the Brussels Air Museum Foundation (BAMF) and the Brussels Air Museum Restoration Society, both funded by donation and always looking for volunteers. The visitor is often able to see and talk to the dedicated enthusiasts while they are at work. Currently major work is being carried on the A-26B Invader (44-34765) in the main hall and on a DH-89 Dragon Rapide (OO-CNP) and LVG C.VI (5141/18) in the workshops. Numerous other disassembled airframes and equipment are stored adjacent to the workshops, awaiting some loving care and attention.
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (OO-EVT c/n 84875) returned to the Museum in December 2005 for display. It had been previously been on display at the Sabena Old Timers Association. It is now been restored in its original Royal Air Force colours as T6534.

The Aircraft on Display

Left to right: 
Caudron G.III (C.2531). The Caudron G.III was designed by Gaston and Rene Caudron was built from May 1914. Around 36 G.III served with the Belgian Air Force from 1918. They were finally retired from Belgian military service in 1928. The example on display (No.2531) was received from the Paris Air Museum following an exchange.

RAF RE.8 (8). Built by the Royal Aircraft Factory in England, the Reconnaissance Experimental 8 (R.E.8) was a successor to the R.E.7, and entered service in 1916. Initially used for reconnaissance, it was later employed for ground attack missions. Despite being very vulnerable to enemy attack, due to its poor manoeuvrability and an initial tendency to spin, over 4000 were built. 22 R.E.8’s served with the Belgian Air Force. All examples were quickly withdrawn from service after the War. Only two survive today, the second (F3556) is at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

Bristol F.2B (BAPC19 marked 'B4/'66'). Built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the prototype F.2A made its first flight in September 1916. After some modifications the F.2B went into production. Eventually 5,329 examples were delivered, some serving until 1932. Belgium received some 16 F.2B’s along with a number of other countries. SABCA (Societe Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aeronautiques) in Belgium built another 40 F.2B mark IV’s. The example exhibited was constructed from various parts at Weston-On-The-Green and acquired for the Museum in exchange for a Spitfire IX (MK912) in 1989.

Sopwith 1½ Strutter (S-85). It was the first allied fighter aircraft to be equipped with a synchronised machine gun, mounted above the engine and designed to fire between the propeller blades. It was designed and built by Sopwith Aviation Company in Kingston on Thames, England, it’s first flight being in 1916. Called the 1½ Strutter, because the upper and lower wings on each side of the aircraft were connected by a pair of full struts near the wing tip with a pair of half struts connected the upper wing to the fuselage. 27 of the 6000 built were sold to Belgium, by 1920 but in the same year the Sopwith Company was wound up, and the 1½ Strutter was declared obsolete by the military. The example on display is painted the colours of the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron (3éme Escadrille d'Observation) of the Belgian Air Force.

Left to right: 
Sopwith F.1 Camel (SC-11 / B5747). Developed from the Sopwith Pup, it was the most successful aircraft of WW1. It’s name was derived from a slight hump forward of the cockpit. 5,490 were produced from 1916, and they claimed more kills (1,294) of German aircraft than any other allied fighter. Eleven companies apart from Sopwith Aviation Company built the Camel, including Fairey Aviation. It was found to be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its rotary engine that generated torque, which unless full right rudder was used on take off, caused inexperienced pilots to ground loop. During WW1, 413 Sopwith Camel pilots died in action with 385 pilots being killed through accidents. 58 Sopwith Camels served with the Belgian Air Force (serials SK- and SC-) from March 1918 until 1922.

Blériot SPAD XIII C.1 (SP-49) in the markings of 10 Squadron. The red comet markings with five pointed star and tail was first used in 1917 by 5 Squadron (Smaldeel/Escadrille) before it was re-designated 10 Squadron. The red comet was later adopted by 2 Wing. The aircraft were originally built by ‘Societie des Productions Armand Deperdussin’ (SPAD) in France. Later the company was then taken over by Louis Bleriot in 1913, when it was renamed ‘Societe Pour l'Aviation et ses Derives’ (also SPAD). The SPAD V first flew in 1915 and was the prototype for the SPAD VII, which entered service one year later. The larger and improved SPAD XIII followed, first entering service in September 1917, with double the fire power of the SPAD VII. The SPAD quickly became a much sort after aircraft. Eight factories in France (including Bleriot), two in England and one in Russia built this rugged fighter. The Belgian Air Force introduced the SPAD S.VII C1 (serials SP-1 to SP-22) and later the SPAD XIII in March 1918. At least 37 SPAD XIII’s were allocated to 10 Squadron (10me Escadrille de Chasse).

Hanriot HD.1 (HD-78). The Hanriot-Dupont HD.1 was designed by Pierre Dupont and built at the Hanriot factory at Billancourt in France in 1916. At least 79 HD.1’s were delivered to Belgium from 1917 (serials HD-1 to HD-79). The example on display (HD-78) is the actual aircraft flown by Belgian’s highest scoring fighter pilot, Baron Willy Coppens de Houthulst during WW1, when with 9 Squadron (9me Escadrille). The Baron, who trained to fly at Hendon, England in 1914, is credited with 37 victories 34 of which were observation balloons. In the course of claiming his 37^th victory in October 1918, and another balloon, he was hit in the leg and crashed. Unfortunately his leg had to be amputated, it was just a month before the war ended. After the war he served military attaché to France and was the first person to congratulate Charles Lindberg after his historic flight. He was also military attaché to Britain, Italy and Switzerland before retiring in 1940. He died in 1986 at the grand old age of 94. (HD-75 is on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon)

Halberstadt C.V (3471/18 marked '3470/18') is the only Halberstadt C V still in existence. The first German biplane fighter to enter air combat was built by Halberstadt. The example exhibited was built in 1918, unrestored it is still in it’s original markings.

Rebuilding an Air Force after World War II

Left to right: 
Supermarine Spitfire FR.14e (two images of SG-55). This Spitfire originated from the Aldermaston factory in 1944 as MV246, but went into store with 9MU at RAF Cosford. In 1948 it was sold to the Belgian Air Force, moving to 348 Squadron of 1 Wing at Bevekom/Beauvechain as SG-55 and coded ‘GE-R’. A landing accident in 1948 ended it’s flying days after only 23 hours. It later moved to Evere and was passed to the Museum of the Army. The restoration of SG-55 and using parts from SG-37 and SG-46 which collided in 1949, was started in 1977 and finally completed in 1997. Between 1946 and 1954, 43 LF.9’s and 135 FR.14’s were sold or loaned to Belgium (serials SM-1 to SM-43 and SG-1 to SG-132). Click here for a more detailed history.

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford 1 (O-16 ex MP455) of 21 Squadron Belgian Air Force. Following the end of WW2, 42 Oxfords (serials O-1 to O-42) were transferred to Belgium for use as communications aircraft with 367 Squadron. They remained in service until their retirement in 1954.

de Havilland DH-98 Mosquito NF.30 (MB-24 'ND-N' of Belgian Air Force). The Belgian Air Force received 39 Mosquito's from 1947. The ex RAF aircraft were either converted to target tugs (TT.3/6) or to night fighters (NF.30). Serials were MA-1 to MA-7 for the TT.3’s, MC-1 to MC-3 for the TT.6’s and MB-1 to MB-24 for the NF.30’s. MB-24 (formally RK952) which is exhibited, was the second of the final two aircraft delivered in September 1953, following modifications by Fairey Aviation at Ringway, Manchester. The surviving aircraft were all scrapped in 1956, with the exception of MB-24, which was struck off charge on October 17, 1956 at Beauvechain. It was transferred to the Museum in March 1957. Restoration started in 1979 with final painting in 1984.

Left to right: 
Percival P31C Proctor 4 (P-4). The Percival Proctor was a development of the pre-war Vega Gull. During WW1 Proctors were used as communication and radio training aircraft. Six surplus RAF aircraft (P-1 to P-6) were delivered to 367 Squadron of the Belgian Air Force, between 1947 and 1948. They were withdrawn from service in 1954. P-4 which is on show (ex RAF NP171) crashed in May 1949. Another Proctor V (OO-ARM) was displayed in the museum in the 1970’s.

Auster AOP.6 (OO-FDE c/n 2826 marked with its original military serial A-11). The Auster was based on the pre-war Taylorcraft D model and were manufactured by Auster Aircraft Limited. In military service they were used as a light spotter and observation aircraft. The RAF took delivery of 274 Auster AOP.6’s 22 of which were transferred as new to Belgium (serials A-1 to A-22) in 1947 and 1948 for 369 Squadron. The Austers were eventually replaced by Piper Super Cubs during 1954 and 1955. The surviving Austers were then sold on the civil register. The Auster AOP.6 exhibited (A-11 ex VT990) moved to Belgian civil register in 1958, eventually ending up in a scrap yard by 1970. The museum has had at least ten Austers in it’s charge since the 1970’s, and were to be used for possible exchanges. Five Austers are currently in storage at Vissenaken. One Auster (OO-FDI/A-16) went to Kbely, Czech Republic in 1992.

Piper L-18C Super Cub (OL-L87 ex 53-4749 c/n 18-3149). The Super Cub was developed from the L-4 Cub (Grasshopper), production of the PA-18 starting in 1949. 157 L-18C’s (OL-L01 to OL-L157) were delivered from 1952 for the Belgian Army Light Aviation (Licht Vliegwezen van het Landmacht/Aviation Légère de la Force Terrestre) to replace the Austers. Additionally six of the more powerful L-21B’s (LB01 to LB06) were acquired from Holland in 1975, operating as glider tugs with the Air Cadets.
 

The SV-4 Stampe
Jean Stampe was a pilot in the Belgian Air Force during WW1. At the end of the War he joined forces with another WW1 pilot to form Stampe & Vertongen Aircraft based at Antwerp, Deurne in 1923. Originally Tiger Mother dealers, they decided in 1933 to design a comparable bi-plane training aircraft. Eight prototype demonstrator SV-4’s were built in the 1930’s leading up to WW1. Following demonstrations to the Belgian and French Air Forces, they won orders for 30 and 300 respectively. 50 of the French order were built in Belgium before production was moved to Farmann’s in France. Only ten were delivered before the start of the war halted all production. At the end of WW2 production of the SV-4 was resumed. Alfred Renard rejoined the team and Societe Stampe et Renard in Belgium produced the SV-4B and SNCA du Nord in France produced the SV-4C. To replace the Tiger Moth, the Belgian Air Force received 20 SV-4B's (serials V-1 to V20) in 1948, followed by 45 SV-4C's (serials V-21 to V-64) delivered between 1951 and 1955. The Stampe SV-4’s were withdrawn by 1975, to be replaced by the SIAI Marchetti SF.260MB. The museum has had at least eight SV-4B/C's to be used as collateral for exchanges. SV-4B (V-62) was exchanged for a Danish Air Force Chipmunk in 1977. V-21 was exchanged for two Tipsy Trainers in 1989. Click here for a more detailed information.

Left to right:
SV-4B Stampe (V-64 c/n 1206) ex Belgian Air Force Elementary Flying School (Elementaire Vlieg School or EVS) in yellow-black "Les Manchots" (French for Penguins) aerobatic team colours.
SV-4B Stampe (V-28 c/n 1170) ex Elementary Flying School (EVS) in white-black-red "Les Manchots" colours and modified to a single seat. It was retired in 1970, going into storage at Koksijde. (Stampe V-56 c/n 1198 is in an adjacent workshop in the Museum, minus it’s upper wing which was part of the exchange deal for two Tipsy Nippers).
SV-4B Stampe (V-57 c/n 1199) all white, unmarked previously marked 'OO-ATD' to represent the famous aircraft which escaped to England at the start of WW2. It was retired in 1957, becoming the gate guard at Evere before being handed over to the Museum in 1964.

Left to right:
Stampe SV-4D (OO-SRS c/n 1208) Registered in March 1967 to Stampe and Renard SA at Gosselies, it became Jean Renard's personal aircraft. It was donated to the museum in 1978.
Stampe-Renard SR-7B Monitor (OO-SRZ c/n 1003) Registered to Stampe and Renard SA in April 1954, its C of A expired in 1978. Renard was eventually absorbed into Avions Fairey SA. The SR-7 was designed to replace the SV-4 in the Belgian Air Force, but lost out to the SIAI Marchetti SF.260.
SV-4C Stampe (OO-CLH c/n 28 ex F-BFZC) Registered in Belgium in 1962. Although it originally served with the French Air Force (Armee de l'Aire) as No.28, before becoming F-BFZC, it has been painted in a spurious French Navy (Aeronavale) scheme as '102/5.S.25'.
 

Enter the Jets...

Left to right: 
Republic F-84G Thunderjet (FZ-107 but painted as 'FZ-153/3R-E') . The F-84E Thunderjet first flew in 1949 with 843 being built. 21 aircraft were delivered to the Belgian Air Force (serials FS-1 to FS-21) under funding from the Mutual Defence Aid Program (MDAP) from 1951, which was superceded by the Military Assistance Program (MAP) from the early 1960's. They remained in service until 1956. This was only the second jet to be operated by the Belgian Air Force, the first being the Meteor. The F-84G entered service in 1951, 3,025 were built with 1,936 being transferred to NATO countries in Europe. 213 F-84G’s (serials FZ-1 to FZ-213) were supplied to Belgium, starting in 1952. Before they were retired in 1957, 54 aircraft had been lost in accidents. The example on display (FZ-107 ex 51-10667) is marked as ‘FZ-153’ and is coded '3R-E' of 1 Squadron, 2 Wing (badge on tail).

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (FU-30 ex 52-7169). The F-84F was developed after the F-84G and was a vastly different aircraft. It had 40 degree swept back wings, instead of the straight wings of the F-84G. It was originally designated the YF-96A and was capable of speeds of 695 m.p.h. The F-84F was supplied to NATO countries, of the 2,711 built 1,301 went to Europe. Belgium took delivery of 197 aircraft from 1955 (serials FU-1 to FU-197) to replace the F-84G. They remained in service until 1972. These in turn were replaced by the F-104G Starfighter starting from the 1960’s.

Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (FR-28 ex 51-1945). The RF-84F was the first jet aircraft to be designed solely for photo-reconnaissance, which could be achieved both day and night. The Belgian Air Force took delivery of 34 of these innovative aircraft (serials FR-1 to FR-34). They entered service in 1955, operating with 42 Squadron until there final retirement in 1972. The Museum had up to nine F-84F’s and a RF-84F in storage for many years, but these are believed to have now been scrapped.

The F-84's flew in the silver colour scheme until 1967 when a Vietnam camouflage scheme was applied.

Left to right: 
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (FT-34 ex 55-3043). The T-33A was based on the single seat P-80, first flying in 1948. From 1952 till 1956 the Belgian Air Force received 39 T-33A’s (serials FT-1 to FT-38), eight were later transferred to the Dutch Air Force. They were needed to train pilots on the new F-84’s that were now being delivered. They remained in service until 1979 as jet trainers.

Fouga CM-170 Magister (MT-24 of Belgian Air Force). The CM-170 Magister was designed as a jet trainer to NATO specifications in the 1950’s. It is fully aerobatic and served with the French ‘Patrouille de France’ and Belgian ‘Red Devils’ display teams for many years. The Belgium Air Force took delivery of 54 Potez-Fouga built Magisters from 1960 with another five refurbished (ex Luftwaffe) Messerschmitt built aircraft arriving between 1960 and 1962. They remained in service till 1998. The Magister serials were MT-1 to MT-50 with some serials being used twice following write-offs. The example on display (MT-24) was withdrawn after landing accident at Solenzara in November 1978, transferring to the Museum in 1979.

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter (FX-12). The first F-104A Starfighter flew in 1954. Production of this multi-role, all-weather strike fighter was started in many of the countries which adopted this unique aircraft, such as Fokker in Holland, Fiat in Italy, Messerschmitt in Germany and SABCA in Belgium. The two-seat TF-104G Starfighter's were manufactured by Lockheed. The F-104G had a maximum speed of 1,328 m.p.h. at 35,000 feet and could climb to 90,000 feet. The Belgian Air Force were supplied 101 F-104G’s (serials FX-1 to FX-100). An extra one was required to replace FX-27, which crashed during testing. They were delivered between 1963 and 1965. 12 TF-104G’s (serials FC-01 to FC-12) were delivered in 1965. The Starfighter was notoriously difficult to fly in some situations. The Belgian Air Force lost 41 F-104G’s and three TF-104G’s before their retirement in 1983. The Starfighter was replaced by the F-16A. The aircraft on display (FX-12) arrived at the museum in 1983.

Dassault Mirage 5BA (BA-15). The Mirage 5 is based on the Mirage 3, but having simplified avionics. 106 Mirage 5's were delivered to Belgium, comprising of; 63 BA 'strike', 16 BD 'two seat' and 27 BR 'reconnaissance' variants. Most of them were license built by SABCA/Avions Fairey at Gosselies, and were produced from 1970. The aircraft exhibited (BA-15) has the tail badge of 8 Squadron (silver cygnet of folded paper on blue background). The Mirage 5 was withdrawn from service in 1994.

General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (FA-01). The YF-16 first flew in 1974, entering service a year later. To date over 4,400 F-16’s have been delivered to at least 23 countries, with production in Europe in both Holland and Belgium. SABCA initially received an order to build 96 single seat F-16A’s, which was increased in 1983 to 136 (serials FA-01 to FA-136) and 20 (increased to 24) two-seat F-16B’s (serials FB-01 to FB-24). The assembly line opened in 1978. The first F-16 a two-seat, was delivered in 1979, by 1981 the first squadron (349) was fully operational. The final aircraft was delivered in 1985. The example on display (FA-01), had a period of storage with another 30 redundant F-16’s, at Weelde from 1994. It was delivered from Weelde to the Museum in 1996.

Belgian Navy (Zeemacht) and Army (Landmacht).

Left to right: 
Sikorsky UH-34G HSS-1 (B6 'OT-ZKF'). The Belgian Navy (Zeemacht) ordered eight Sud-Aviation HSS-1 Seabat (serials B-1 to B-8) in 1961 to fulfil a Search and Rescue (SAR) role in 1961. Later the Air Force bought from SABENA, seven S-58C (B-9 to B-15) for short range transport duties. They remained in service till 1986, some having been already replaced by the Sea King in 1976/77. The S-58C on display (B-13 ‘OT-ZKM’) arrived at the Museum on August 20, 1981.

Britten-Norman (Fairey) BN-2A Defender (B-06) The prototype Islander flew in 1965, with a military version called the Defender, being launched in 1970. Fairey at their factory at Gosselies, Belgium started building the Islander from 1973. The Belgian Army received 12 Defenders (B-01 to B-12) from 1976. Following their retirement from service in December 2004, the seven remaining Defenders (including one wreck) were put up for sale in January 2006. B-11 is preserved at Brasschaat airbase, B-02 and B-09 will be used by the Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematic Models for pollution control. The Museum’s example (B-06 call sign ‘OT-ALF’ with 'LF' on nose) was withdrawn from service after hangar fire at Butzweilerhof.

Agusta A-109BA Hirundo ‘Swallow’ ( H-08). The A-109 first flew in 1971 and is a light-weight, twin engined, eight seat multi-purpose helicopter. In Belgian Army service the A-109’s arrival was the subject of a bribing scandal. It was discovered that Belgian Socialists had received over 50 million francs for the purchase. Willy Claes, former NATO Secretary General was forced to resign and was later convicted. 46 A-109’s were delivered (H-01 to H-46) from 1992 and most are still in operation. The example in the Museum (H-08) arrived September 7, 2005, having served with Belgian Army 'Light Aviation/Heli Wing' for eleven years before being withdrawn from service at Zutendaal in 2003.

Aerospatiale (Sud Aviation) Alouette II (A-11 c/n 1535). The Alouette first flew in 1955, it was the first Gas turbine powered helicopter, by 1975 1500 had been built. The Belgian Air Force (Landmacht/Force Aerienne) starting receiving them in 1959 (serials A-1 to A-81). Later a further six were received for the Police (Rijkswacht/Gendarmerie) (serials A-90 to A-95) in 1967. 90 Alouette II were delivered, again some serials were used twice. They were finally withdrawn from service in 1999.

Aircraft types that have served with the Belgian Air Force.....

Left to right:
Gloster Meteor NF.11 (NF11-3). The Belgian Air Force flew four variants of Meteor. The first was the Meteor F.4, when 48 new Gloster built examples were delivered from June 1949. The F.4’s were replaced by 240 F.8’s from 1950 to 1954 this time built by Fokker. 24 of the F.4’s were modified to a two-seat T.7 standard by Avions Fairey at Gosselies. The T.7’s were retired in 1962, the F.8’s followed into retirement a year later. Development of the NF.11 Night Fighter variant started in 1948, with 335 being built by Armstrong-Whitworth. In 1952 12 ex RAF Meteor NF.11’s were delivered, with an additional 12 in 1956. By 1958 the Meteor had been fully withdrawn in favour of the new CF-100 Canuck. The Meteor NF.11 (NF11-3) on display did not actually fly with the Belgian Air Force, but was delivered to the French Air Force (Armee de l'Aire) in the 1950’s.

Avro Canada CF-100 Mk.5 Canuck (18534 RCAF). The CF-100 was designed to be an all weather jet interceptor. The prototype’s first flight was on January 19, 1950. The second prototype sadly crashed on the official date of delivery to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), killing both crew on April 5, 1951. Service with the RCAF continued until it’s eventual retirement in 1981, 693 Canuck’s (Mk.1 to Mk.5) were produced in total.
The Belgian Air Force received 53 (AX-1 to AX-53) Canuck's, these being operated by 1 Wing from 1957. They were withdrawn in the early 1960's, all being scrapped from 1964. The Museum’s aircraft is an ex RCAF machine and did not serve with the Belgian Air Force. Click here for a more detailed history. 

North American F-86F Sabre (5316 Portuguese Air Force and ex 52-5242). Belgium is believed to have evaluated the F-86F, but none actually served with the Air Force. The Sabre on display served with the Portuguese Air Force arriving at the Museum during May 1981.

Belgian Civilian Aircraft....

Left to right: 
SABCA Poncelet Vivette (OO-AFH c/n 2 ex O-BAFH). Achieved an endurance record for a single seat glider of 10 hours 19 minutes in 1925. It was registered in 1923 as O-BAFH before being moving to the new Belgium register in 1929 as OO-AFH, it was cancelled just two years later.

Schleicher Grunau Baby III (PL-37). The first Grunau Baby was designed by German Edmund Schneider in Grunau (now in Poland), it first flew in 1931. Eventually over 6,000 were built in over 20 countries. Nine Schleicher (DFS) Grunau Baby II/III's were operated by the Belgian Air Cadets (serials PL-30 to PL-38) from 1952 to 1975 (PL-37 exhibited is the only surviving Baby III). They also acquired two Grunau Baby IIb’s (serials PL-39 and PL-40) in the 1960’s. The Museum also has a Grunau SG-38 (PL-21), and two Grunau Baby II’s (PL-33 and PL-36) in storage at Vissenaken. Click here for a more detailed history.

Kreit and Lambrickx KL-2 (OO-ANP). Kreit and Lambrickx were two Belgian Air Force airmen, and the KL-2 was their only aircraft. It was registered and first flew in 1934. Following a period in storage it was cancelled from the register in 1946.

Left to right: 
Henri Mignet HM-293 Pou du Ciel ‘Flying Flea’ (OO-33). The ‘Flying Flea’, designed in 1934 by Henri Mignet was probably the first home-built to be offered to the public for home construction. Following a number of fatal accidents and the discovery of aerodynamic design errors the French authorities banned it from flying in 1936, the British authorities following suit in 1937.The example on display (It is marked 'EX.OO 33' but was previously marked 'OO-BAM' in 1997) 'OO-33' is a Belgian homebuilt registration dating back to the 1960’s.

SAI KZ III (OO-MAA c/n 72). Scandinavian Aero Industry (SAI) built eleven KZ types from the KZ I to KZ X between 1937 and 1953 in Denmark. 64 KZ III’s were built, the prototype flying in 1944. The example on display was first registered in Belgium in 1946 and was flying until 1971. Following its donation to the Museum it was dismantled and stored. In 1998 it was reassembled and put on display.

Tipsy S.2 (OO-ASB marked as 'OO-TIP'). Originally built by Fairey at their factory at Gosselies the S.2 was later built under licence by Tipsy Aircraft at Hanworth, UK. This aircraft was built in 1936 and registered to E. Tips in 1937 as OO-ASB. It was immediately sold in the UK as G-AFVH.

Left to right: 
Percival Gull Four II (G-ACGR). This aircraft was ordered by Sir Philip Sassoon, then Under Secretary of State for Air in the United Kingdom. In 1933 and 1934, it took part in the Kings Cup air races. However on a flight across to Europe it was written off in a forced landing in a river in Belgium and was consequently taken off the British aircraft register. Amazingly it was re-discovered by E. De Deurwaerder in 1973, wrecked in a barn near Nieuport, Belgium. Two years later he donated it to the Museum.

Morane Saulnier MS-230 (F-BEJO c/n 1066 unmarked) and two images of Morane Saulnier MS-315 (F-BCNT c/n 350). SA des Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier was established in 1911 by Raymond Saulnier and the Morane Brothers. Following on from their first parasol-wing aircraft the MS.230, which was flown first in February 1929, the MS-315 first flew in 1932. Designed as fighters they quickly ended up as trainers due to their lack of basic speed. Once they were disposed of by the military they became popular with civilian flying clubs.

Left to right: 
Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder/Argus III (OO-LUT and marked as 43-14987 c/n 951). The civil version the Fairchild 24 Argus first flew in 1932. During WW2 the USAAF ordered a utility transport and communications version of the Argus, known as the UC-61 Forwarder. The Museum’s Argus was originally USAAF UC-61K (43-14987) and is displayed as such. Following its military career it was registered in France as F-BAMB before moving to Belgium in 1962 as OO-LUT. It was retired in 1970. Another Argus, OO-LMV c/n 1069, was also on display at the Museum for many years from 1979.

Douglas A-26B Invader (N67160 ex D-CAFY, ex and marked 44-34765 'AN-J'). This aircraft did not serve with the USAAF, but was eventually sold on in 1946 and registered N67160. It passed through many civilian operators before being grounded in 1965 with cracks in the wing spars. It was donated to and restored by the Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois. It was later sold in Germany where the registration D-CAFY was allocated. From 1969 it was operated from Antwerp Deurne, before being impounded through non-payment of landing fees. I recall seeing it at Deurne parked outside in March 1973. It was finally donated to the Museum in 1976, arriving there in November 1979. It is currently under restoration, having a turret and other military equipment re-installed, including eight .50 inch guns mounted in the nose. It is has been painted in USAAF markings to represent the only A-26 Squadron to serve in Belgium. Click here for a more detailed history. 

de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter (OO-SUD). Following on from the small but very successful DHC-2 Beaver, the Otter first flew in 1951. 450 aircraft were built. This aircraft was formally with US Navy. It was later used by the 'Centre National des Recherches Polaires' until its retirement in 1972.

Left to right:
Junkers Ju-52/3m (OO-AGU). Designed in 1929, the Ju-52 first flew in 1930, by 1932 a third engine had been added (Ju-52/3m). It quickly became a very successful transport for the Luftwaffe. The Portuguese Air Force operated the Ju-52 from 1936. The Museum’s aircraft was formally operated by the Portuguese Air Force (6309), arriving from Alverca, Portugal on April 24, 1985. This Ju-52 was received in exchange for an Alouette II and a Sikorsky H-19. The BAMF started working on her in 1990 and it was finally restored as ‘OO-AGU’ to represent a SABENA operated aircraft from the 1930’s. She was put on display in September 2001. Click here for a more detailed information.

Sud SE.210 Caravelle 6N (OO-SRA) Delivered to SABENA in 1961 and withdrawn from service in 1974. It moved to the Museum in October 1977.


Classic Military Aircraft with No Connection with Belgium....

Bristol 149 Bolingbroke IVT (9895 but marked as 10038/XD-A Royal Canadian Air Force). Designed and built by Bristol the Mk.142 Bolingbroke was later renamed the Blenheim prior to its service with the RAF in 1937. It was designed as a long-range daylight bomber. Later Fairchild in Canada manufactured aircraft who retained the original Bolingbroke name.

de Havilland DH-115 Vampire T.11 (XH292). The Vampire first flew in 1943. The Vampire T.11 was produced from 1950 remaining in service till 1967 with the RAF. The T.11 on display, following a period of storage at Woodford, UK. was transferred to the Museum in 1973.

McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II (68-0590 'SW'). Work on the photo-reconnaissance version of the F-4 was started in 1962, with the RF-4C’s first flight in 1964. 505 examples were produced. The Museum’s aircraft wears the colours of 363^rd Tactical Fighter Wing when operated from Shaw AFB, South Carolina from 1982 to 1989.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN ‘Flogger’ (4421 Egyptian Air Force, marked '23 red'). The Egyptian Air Force was the first foreign air force to receive the ‘Flogger’ from the Soviet Union, receiving eight MiG-23BN’s in 1974. The example on display could be the aircraft transferred to Manching in Germany in 1986 for testing by the West, before finding it’s way to a museum outside Ramstein before arriving at Brussels.

Additional information on the Belgian Air Force can be found on Daniel Brackx's excellent site, Belgian Aviation History Association