musée royal de l'armée et de l'histoire militaire Archives - Page 2 of 3

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.

Loyd CATI 90

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.

Belgian Air Force Westland Sea King

This Belgian Air Force Westland Sea King 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 Air Force operated the iconic Westland Sea King Mk.48 helicopter for over four decades, primarily in a crucial search and rescue (SAR) role. Five of these British-built helicopters, a licensed version of the American Sikorsky S-61, were acquired in April 1975 to replace their aging Sikorsky HSS1/S58 fleet. After initial crew training at RNAS Culdrose in the UK, the Sea Kings were delivered to Koksijde Air Base in Belgium in November 1976 and officially assigned to No. 40 Squadron, receiving tail numbers RS-01 to RS-05. RS-01 is on display in the museum.

Throughout their extensive service, the Belgian Sea Kings proved to be invaluable assets for maritime SAR operations in the North Sea and beyond. They were responsible for saving 1,757 lives across 3,309 emergency calls, accumulating an impressive 60,000 flying hours. A notable intervention was their swift response to the “Herald of Free Enterprise” disaster off Zeebrugge in March 1987, where three Sea Kings rescued 30 passengers from the capsized ferry.

Interestingly, their distinctive green and sand camouflage scheme originated from a cancelled order by the Egyptian Air Force, meaning the airframes were already painted before being repurposed for Belgium.

The Belgian Air Force began phasing out its Sea King fleet in the late 2000s, they were gradually replaced by the more modern NHIndustries NH90 “Caiman” helicopters. While some of the retired airframes are now preserved in museums or for technical training, two, RS-02 and RS-04, were acquired by Historic Helicopters in the UK and are maintained in airworthy condition, allowing their legacy to continue.

Belgian Airforce Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat

The Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat entered service in 1955. The Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat, a naval variant of the ubiquitous S-58 helicopter, played a significant role in the Belgian Air Force’s operations, particularly in maritime and transport duties. The HSS-1 Seabat was a robust and versatile helicopter, known for its ability to perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and logistical support missions. Its design, featuring a four-bladed main rotor and a distinctive nose-mounted engine accessible via clamshell doors, allowed for improved speed, reduced vibration, and easier maintenance compared to its predecessor, the S-55. Equipped with sonar systems and capable of deploying torpedoes or depth charges, the Seabat was a vital asset during the Cold War era for tracking and engaging submarines.

The Belgian Air Force introduced the Sikorsky HSS-1 into service starting in 1961. Initially, five French-licensed Sud Aviation-built HSS-1 helicopters were acquired to form a dedicated Search and Rescue unit, based at Koksijde. These helicopters, such as the OT-ZKD/B4 and OT-ZKE/B5 delivered in May 1961, quickly became integral to Belgium’s maritime safety and defense. Beyond SAR, two of these aircraft were temporarily assigned to the Belgian Navy for aerial minesweeping. In 1963, the Belgian Air Force further expanded its S-58 fleet by taking over seven Sikorsky S-58C helicopters from the national airline Sabena, converting them for logistical transport to support Nike surface-to-air missile batteries stationed in Germany. The HSS-1s served the Belgian Air Force for many years, with some remaining in service as trainers even after the introduction of the Westland Sea King helicopters, finally being withdrawn from use in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

This Belgian Airforce Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat 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. It served in the Belgian Airforce from 1961 to 1986. Entered the museum in 1986.

Belgian Airforce Bristol Sycamore

The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore was an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It has the distinction of being the first British helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness, as well as being the first British-designed helicopter to be introduced by and to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

This Belgian Airforce Bristol Sycamore 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.

Bristol Sycamore was on display at RAF London.

RAF Bristol Sycamore at RAF Cosford.

Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire

Earlier this year I went to the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels. The aircraft section is quite large and contains numerous aircraft, helicopters, as well as other interesting exhibits.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN

Earlier this year I went to the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

This Egyptian Air Force MiG-23, painted in Soviet Air Force camouflage and markings was on display at the museum.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, known by its NATO reporting name “Flogger,” was a significant third-generation Soviet fighter aircraft that emerged in the early 1970s as a successor to the highly produced MiG-21. Its most distinctive feature was its variable-geometry (swing-wing) design, allowing pilots to adjust the wing sweep in flight for optimal performance across various speeds and altitudes, from short takeoffs and landings to supersonic dashes.

While primarily conceived as an interceptor with advanced radar and beyond-visual-range missile capabilities, it also proved adaptable for ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare roles in later variants. Despite its innovative design and widespread export to numerous countries during the Cold War, the MiG-23 faced operational challenges, including complex handling characteristics and maintenance issues, and its combat record was mixed compared to more advanced Western counterparts like the F-15 and F-16. Nevertheless, with over 5,000 units built, it remains the most produced variable-sweep wing aircraft in history and a notable symbol of Soviet air power.