De Havilland DH-115 Vampire T.11 at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
Category: musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire
Supermarine Spitfire MKXIV
Supermarine Spitfire MKXIV at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV was a major upgrade of the iconic fighter, introduced in 1944. It was the first mass-produced Spitfire to be powered by the powerful 2,050 horsepower Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 engine, a significant leap from the Merlin engines used in earlier models. This new engine, along with a five-bladed Rotol propeller and a lengthened fuselage to handle the increased power and torque, gave the Mk XIV a distinct look and improved performance. It was a more powerful and faster aircraft, with an excellent rate of climb, which made it a formidable opponent for late-war German fighters and an effective interceptor against V-1 flying bombs. The Mk XIV saw widespread service with the RAF and other Allied forces from late 1944 until the end of World War II, playing a crucial role in armed reconnaissance and air superiority missions.
Sud Aviation Caravelle
A former Sabena Sud Aviation Caravelle airliner is on three metal stilts was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The Sud Aviation Caravelle was a pioneering French jet airliner developed in the 1950s by SNCASE (which later became Sud Aviation). It holds a significant place in aviation history for its innovative design, which featured rear-mounted engines and a clean-wing configuration. This layout, which became common on many subsequent short and medium-range airliners, reduced cabin noise and allowed for a quieter flight experience for passengers. The Caravelle’s design also incorporated a licensed copy of the de Havilland Comet’s nose and cockpit. Entering service in 1959 with Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and later with Air France, the Caravelle was specifically designed for the European and Mediterranean markets, providing a faster and more comfortable alternative to piston-engine aircraft. Over its production run, which ended in 1972, 282 Caravelles were built, and the aircraft was used by airlines on every continent.
This Sud Aviation Caravelle was operated by Sabena, which was the national airline of Belgium, operating from 1923 until its bankruptcy in 2001.
Gloster Meteor
This Gloster Meteor was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
After the Second World War, European air forces faced the challenge of modernising their fleets. For the Belgian Air Force, this meant transitioning from piston-engine fighters like the Spitfire to the new era of jet propulsion. The answer came in the form of the Gloster Meteor, a twin-engine fighter that had already made history as the only Allied jet to see combat in WWII.
Belgium became a major operator of the Meteor, eventually acquiring a total of 355 aircraft, more than any other overseas customer. The first to arrive were the Meteor F.4s in 1949, which equipped the Beauvechain-based 1st Wing. These were soon followed by the more advanced Meteor F.8s, a variant with a stretched fuselage, a redesigned tail, and a more powerful engine. The F.8s were so vital to Belgium’s air defense that many were built under license in the Netherlands and by the Belgian company Avions Fairey.
The Belgian Air Force also operated the two-seat Meteor T.7 trainer and the all-weather night fighter variant, the Meteor NF.11. The introduction of these aircraft allowed the Belgian Air Force to establish dedicated night fighter squadrons and modernize its pilot training programs. The Meteor era saw the formation of the “Acrobobs,” an aerobatic team from the 1st Fighter Wing at Beauvechain, which was a precursor to the famous “Red Devils” display team.
The Gloster Meteor was a workhorse for the Belgian Air Force throughout the 1950s, serving as the backbone of its fighter and night fighter squadrons. It wasn’t until the arrival of more advanced aircraft like the Hawker Hunter and Avro CF-100 Canuck that the Meteor began to be phased out. The last Belgian Meteor, a target-towing version, was retired in 1963, marking the end of a significant chapter in Belgian aviation history. Today, a few examples are preserved in museums, a testament to the jet that helped launch the Belgian Air Force into the modern age of military aviation.
North American F-86F Sabre
This North American F-86F Sabre was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The North American F-86F Sabre was a key U.S. Air Force jet fighter that rose to prominence during the Korean War. As America’s first swept-wing fighter, its design was influenced by captured German aerodynamic research, which helped it overcome the drag that had limited earlier straight-wing jets. The F-86F variant, in particular, featured a more powerful General Electric J47 engine and an improved wing design that enhanced its high-speed performance and maneuverability. In the skies over “MiG Alley,” the F-86F went head-to-head with the Soviet-built MiG-15. While the MiG had a higher ceiling and faster climb rate, the F-86’s superior pilot training, handling at high speeds, and advanced gunsight gave it a decisive advantage, leading to a highly favorable kill ratio and cementing its legacy as one of the most important aircraft of the early jet age.
Hawker Hunter F.4
This Hawker Hunter F.4 was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The Hawker Hunter stands as a testament to the golden age of British aviation, a sleek and formidable jet fighter that served with distinction for decades. More than just a machine, it was a symbol of a nation’s engineering prowess, a supersonic icon that dominated the skies during the tense years of the Cold War. From its first flight in 1951, the Hunter captured the imagination with its graceful lines and powerful performance, earning its place in history as one of the most successful and enduring combat aircraft of its era.
The Hunter’s evolution was a continuous process of refinement, and the F.4 variant stands out as a significant step forward. While the F.1 and F.2 had been impressive, the F.4 addressed some of their limitations and expanded the Hunter’s capabilities. A key improvement was the adoption of an improved Rolls-Royce Avon engine with a higher thrust rating. This gave the F.4 a noticeable boost in performance, improving its rate of climb and top speed.
The Hawker Hunter’s operational life was remarkably long. It remained in frontline service with some air forces well into the 1990s, and its final military retirement came in 2014 when the Lebanese Air Force retired its last Hunter. Its longevity is a testament to the soundness of its design and the quality of its construction.
Loyd CATI 90
The Belgian Loyd CATI 90 was a unique and resourceful example of post-World War II military engineering. This Loyd CATI 90 was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
Faced with a large surplus of British-built Loyd Carriers and the need for a cheap and effective anti-tank weapon, the Belgian Army, in collaboration with the company MECAR, developed the Canon Antitank d’Infanterie 90 mm (CATI 90). This light tank destroyer was created by mounting a low-pressure, semi-automatic 90 mm gun onto the chassis of the Loyd Carrier. The gun was specifically designed by MECAR to have low recoil, allowing it to be mounted on such a lightweight vehicle. The resulting vehicle, though only lightly armored and open-topped, provided infantry battalions with a potent, albeit short-ranged, anti-tank capability. Serving from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s, the CATI 90 demonstrated a clever and cost-effective way to modernize a military force using existing assets before being replaced by more advanced platforms like the AMX-VCI armed with ENTAC anti-tank missiles.
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
These Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighters were on display in the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was a cornerstone of the Belgian Air Force during the early years of the Cold War. Arriving in the mid-1950s as a successor to the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjet, the Thunderstreak was a crucial part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), which provided modern American military equipment to NATO allies. Belgium became a significant operator of the F-84F, with an order of 197 aircraft. These jets were delivered to the 2nd and 10th Wings, which were based at Florennes and Kleine Brogel airbases, respectively. The Thunderstreak was the first swept-wing aircraft and the fastest in Belgian service at the time, even capable of breaking the sound barrier in a steep dive, a feat that made national headlines.
Designed primarily as a fighter-bomber, the F-84F’s main role within the Belgian Air Force was ground attack and close air support. It was a rugged and durable platform, capable of carrying a heavy payload of bombs, rockets, and its six .50 caliber machine guns. In a wider NATO context, the F-84F was also certified to carry the Mark 7 nuclear bomb, making it a critical part of the alliance’s nuclear deterrent strategy. This dual-role capability underscored its importance in the face of the perceived Soviet threat in Europe.
The Belgian F-84F fleet served for nearly two decades, undergoing various paint schemes from natural metal to NATO camouflage. Despite its robust nature, the aircraft experienced a high attrition rate due to accidents and maintenance issues, which led to its gradual replacement. The F-84F was eventually phased out of front-line service in the late 1960s and early 1970s, making way for more advanced supersonic jets like the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and the Dassault Mirage 5. However, many retired F-84Fs found a second life as decoy aircraft, modified to resemble the new Mirages to mislead potential adversaries. This final, creative use cemented the F-84F’s long and impactful history in the Belgian Air Force.
Dassault Mirage 5
This Dassault Mirage 5 was on display in the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The Dassault Mirage 5 holds a unique place in the history of the Belgian Air Force, serving as its primary fighter-bomber for over two decades. In the late 1960s, Belgium sought to replace its aging Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks and RF-84F Thunderflashes. After considering various options, including the F-5A, A-4E, and Draken, the Mirage 5 was selected, largely due to its cost-effectiveness and Dassault’s willingness to allow license production by SABCA in Belgium. This led to Belgium becoming the largest operator of the Mirage 5, with an initial order of 106 aircraft.
The Belgian Air Force retired its Mirage 5 fleet in the mid-1990s, replacing them with the more advanced F-16 Fighting Falcon.
McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II
The McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II was an all weather tactical reconnaissance aircraft from the United States. The first flight of the Phantom was in May 1958. This McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II is on a long term loan from the USAF museum. It was 1991 when the aircraft arrived at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
The McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II was the unarmed tactical reconnaissance variant of the venerable F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber, playing a crucial, though often less heralded, role in the Cold War and various conflicts. Unlike its more famous brethren, the RF-4C was designed to gather intelligence, not to engage in dogfights or drop bombs. Its distinctive elongated nose, lacking the radar of fighter versions, housed a sophisticated array of cameras, infrared sensors, and later, even side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) systems.
Despite its lack of offensive weaponry, the RF-4C was often at the forefront of reconnaissance efforts, providing critical information to commanders. Its adaptability allowed for upgrades throughout its service life, incorporating more advanced sensors and data links. The RF-4C’s contribution to intelligence gathering, though not as visible as air-to-air combat or bombing raids, was indispensable, highlighting the vital role of reconnaissance in modern warfare.