musée royal de l'armée et de l'histoire militaire Archives

VLC T.13 Type 2

During the interwar period, the Belgian army introduced an innovative series of self-propelled anti-tank guns, known as the T.13s. These vehicles were armed with the formidable 47-mm FRC gun, a weapon considered capable of destroying any tank of that era. Three distinct variants of the T.13 were produced: the first two featured their turret-mounted guns pointing rearward, while the third type had a forward-aiming weapon. The specific Type 2 example presented here is unique in the world and bears the markings of the Limburg Border Cyclists unit, which used it during the fighting in May 1940.

Dingo Scout Car

This Dingo Armoured Car was on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

The Daimler Scout Car, known in service as the “Dingo” (after the Australian wild dog), was a British light fast 4WD reconnaissance vehicle also used in the liaison role during the Second World War.

Citroën Kegresse Type P19

This Citroën Kegresse Type P19 was on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

As early as 1911 Adolphe Kegresse conceived a vehicle featuring both wheels and tracks for more efficient driving on difficult terrains (snow, dirt and mud). In 1920 he teamed up with Andre Citroën for the production of a “half-track car”. That same year a demo of the “Citroen 10HP type A” fitted with the Kegresse tracks enthused both Andre Citroen and the military. The Citroen company acquired exclusivity for the Kegresse licence until 1934 and produced a series of vehicles featuring the Kegresse system. The Citroen Kegresse P19 was used to tow artillery.

Paratrooper Vignette

This paratrooper vignette was part of the exhibition at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels

Junkers Ju-52

The Ju52 was the last in a series of corrugated metal-skinned Junkers aircraft. The first aircraft, fitted with a single engine, flew in October 1930. The first three-engined version, the Ju52/3m, flew in April 1932.

This Junkers Ju-52 on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels was built for the Portuguese Air Force in 1937 and originally flew with the serial 109, later changed to 6309. Retired in 1972 and stored in Lisbon for the Portuguese Air Force museum until shipped to Belgium in 1985 for restoration to fly by the SABENA Old Timers. This was abandoned and the aircraft went on permanent display at the museum.

Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan

An Armee de L’air Ouragan (“UQ”) is displayed at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

The Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan is a French fighter-bomber developed and produced by Dassault Aviation. It has its origins in a private venture by Dassault to produce an all-French aircraft which would make use of jet propulsion.

Belgian Universal Carrier

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

The carrier is marked in the colours of the Brigade Piron, a Belgian force that fought with the Allies during World War II. This carrier 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.

Douglas DC-3

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner.

It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years.

Belgian Agusta A109 Helicopter

In 1988 Belgium placed an order for 46 helicopters of the A 109 type. They are tasked with various missions: observation, anti-tank operations, fire support, liaison and medical evacuation. Some ten units were still operational in 2020

Belgian 5th Special Air Service Regiment Jeep

This Belgian 5th Special Air Service Regiment Jeep complete with bullet holes, 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 Belgian 5th Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), a special airborne unit, specialised in sabotage and military intelligence gathering during World War II.

The Willys MB and the Ford GPW, both formally called the U.S. Army Truck, 1⁄4-ton, 4×4, Command Reconnaissance, commonly known as the Jeep. The jeep became the primary light wheeled transport vehicle of the United States Military and its Allies in World War II, as well as the postwar period, with President Eisenhower once calling it, “one of three decisive weapons the U.S. had during WWII.”