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Version of 12 June 1998
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List of Belgian Military Aircraft.
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Belgium is a small country at the North Sea coast, north of France,
West of Germany and south of Holland. It currently has 10 million
inhabitants. Belgium became independent in 1830. Of course the country
never had important military or political power; but its strategic
importance is great. Hence the Belgian territory contains a lot of
battlefields, of which Waterloo is probably the best known. Roman,
French, British, German, Dutch, Spanish, Austrian and American soldiers
have left their tracks (and often their bodies) on its soil. Independence
and neutrality did not keep the country out of WWI and WWII; in both wars
the route of the attacking German forces went through neutral Belgium.
In the first World War, Belgium was largely occupied; in the second, it
was occupied entirely. After WWII it abandoned neutrality and became a
member of NATO and EU, hosting the headquarters of both organizations.

The Belgian Army has not always been small. In 1940 the Belgian Army
counted no less than 550.000 soldiers, ten times the total size of its
current military forces. But because of the small size of the country,
and the long tradition of cutting the defence budget every year, the
Belgian Army has nearly always been, with exception of a few elite units,
a second-rate force with obsolete equipment. On 10 May 1940, the day of
the German invasion, the Belgian Air Force had 182 combat aircraft, but
of these only the 11 Hawker Hurricanes were modern aircraft, while the
Fiat C.R.42s and Fairey Battles were new, but inherently obsolete. In
addition, the government had forbidden any bombardment training, because
this practice was considered incompatible with Belgium's neutral status. 

Because of the vulnerability of the territory, it was inevitable that in
both world wars the Belgian forces had to rely strongly on their allies.
During WWII this meant that the few Belgians in military service after
the occupation of the country itself, were part of foreign forces. For the
air force, this also meant using foreign-built aircraft. Especially after
WWII, when the original air force, created in 1913, had been destroyed and
a new one was created by transferring Belgian RAF units. The British air
force structure was later replaced by one along American lines, when US
aircraft were delivered under the MADP program.

The market for home-built aircraft was always small. Until 1940 there
was a small industry that built a number of own designs. The most famous
of these is the Stampen-Vertongen SV 4 training biplane, a popular aircraft
for aerobatics. Bombers and fighters comparable to the aircraft of other
countries were also built, but were seldom granted a production contract.
WWII put an end to most of the national aviation industries design
capability. The Belgian aviation industry now almost entirely survives by
license-building, wich generates jobs and transfers technology, but does
little for the design capability. In the case of military equipment,
license-building contracts and other so-called 'compensations' have become
the determining factor in the awarding of contracts, leading to the
procurement of less suitable equipment, cost increases, and corruption
scandals.

Belgian forces were involved in several times in Zaire, a former colony,
and in several UN peace-keeping missions. The role of the Air Force has
been limited to the transport of soldiers, famine relief operations with
C-130's and the presence of Belgian Mirage 5's in Turkey during the Gulf
war. The Belgian air force is insufficiently equipped and armed for a
modern war, but standards of reliability and maintainability are high.

Recently the strength of the air force has been cut by the retirement of the
last Mirages and the storage, possibly for sale, of part of the F-16s;
training has been restricted to 165 flying hours per year (less than NATO's
demanded 180, but better than the 120 hours of 1984), the army abandoned
its fixed wing-aircraft, and the Belgian forces have been retracted from
bases in Germany.
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--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--A--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A 109, Agusta
       After a competition with the Westland, Aerospatiale and Sikorsky
       the A 109 was selected to replace the {Alouette II} as reconnaissance
       and anti-tank helicopter, 18 and 28 being ordered respectively.
       Delivery of the A 109 was slowed down by weight problems, but even
       more important was the corruption scandal that followed its
       selection. It and became internationally known when the Belgian
       secretary-general of NATO, Willy Claes, was forced to resign. 
A300/4, Ansaldo
       The Ansaldo {A300}/4 was an Italian bomber. 30 were delivered by
       Ansaldo, 45 more were built by SABCA. 
Alouette II, Sud
       The {Alouette II} is a French-built utility helicopter. From
       1990 onwards most were replaced by {A 109}s, but some remained
       in service as trainers.
Alpha Jet, Dassault-Breguet-Dornier
       German/French jet trainer. The Belgian {Alpha Jet}s are of the
       type also built for France, i.e. without armament, while the
       German ones have a secondary ground-attack function. 33 were
       bought.
Anson, Avro
       The Avro {Anson} was a British light transport and liaison
       aircraft. 15 were in Belgian service.
ATTA 3000, Promavia
       Twin-engined jet trainer, a low-wing aircraft with two jet engines.
       Project announced in 1989.
       Type: ATTA 3000
       Country: Belgium
       Function: trainer
       Year:   Crew: 2	Engines: 2 * 680kg Garrett TFE109-2
       Speed: 899km/h  Ceiling: 12190m	Range: 1760km
       Armament:
Auster
       British artillery reconaissance and liaison aircraft. Used by
       the 369th squadron at Brasschaat for artillery observation.
Aviator, Aviatik
       Pusher biplane, similar to the French Farman. It was a gift of
       baron de Caters to King Albert I. It is told that de Caters
       sometimes used a banknote to light his cigar...
Avro 504
       The Avro 504 was the standard British trainer of WWI. 42 were
       bought in Britain and 58 built by SABCA. Some were still in
       service in May 1940.
Avro 626
       British biplane trainer. The twelve {Avro 626}s were quickly
       replaced by {S.V.5}s. 4 of them had been built by SABCA. 
--B-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAe 748, British Aerospace
       Three BAe 748-288 twin-turboprop transport aicraft.
Battle, Fairey
       Belgium was more important in the history of the {Battle} than
       the other way around -- six out of nine were lost in an attack
       on a bridge over the Albert Canal, without damage to the bridge,
       despite one hit with a 50kg bomb! That ended the combat career
       of the Battle. 
BE2, Royal Aircraft Factory
       A number of British {BE2}c aircraft with Daimler engines were
       received in 1916. Later they were modified with far more powerful
       Hispano-Suiza engines, but this did not cure the obsolescence of
       the type. Replaced in 1917.
BH-21, Avia
       The Avia {BH-21} biplane fighter was designed in Chzechoslovakia.
       45 were in service, of which only one deliverd by Avia and the
       rest license-built.
BH-33, Avia
       Biplane fighter, a development of the Avia {BH-21} with a Bristol
       Jupiter radial engine. Three in service.
Bleriot XI
       When J. Olieslagers and J. Tijk entered service at the outbreak
       of WWI, they also contributed their {Bleriot XI} monoplanes. Two
       two-seat Bleriot XI-2 were supplied by France.
Boeing 727
       Two Boeing 727QC transports, ex-SABENA aircraft.
Breguet XIV
       The {Breguet XIV} was a versatile French biplane reconnaissance
       aircraft and bomber. About 40 in Belgian service, some until 1927.
Breguet XIX
       The French {Breguet XIX} biplane multi-role aircraft. SABCA built
       146 of this famous all-round aircraft for the air force. 1927.
Breguet 694
       One delivered to Belgian forces in France, on 4 June 1940. Plans
       to have 31 more, built by SABCA, remained dead letter.
Buffalo, Brewster
       Some of these fighters -- known as {F2A} to the US Navy -- were
       indeed ordered (that sounds rather unwise, but the air force
       also bought the Fiat {CR.42} and Gloster {Gladiator}!), but the
       delivery in 1940 was too late. The aircraft were halted at
       Bordeaux and sent back to the USA. Of 40 ordered, 32 were
       taken on by the RAF.
--C-------------------------------------------------------------------------
C.2, ACA-Zeebrugge
       Two-seat fighter-reconaissance biplane. One built.
       Type: C.2
       Function: fighter-reconaissance
       Year: 1926  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 450hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ha
       Wing Span: 12.50m  Length: 8.25m  Height: 3.40m  Wing Area: 40.56m2
       Empty Weight: 1260kg  Max.Weight: 2070kg
       Speed: 250km/h  Ceiling:   Range: 3.5hrs
       Armament: 3*mg7.7mm
C 30, Cierva
       One Avro-built C 30A autogyro bought in 1937. No other orders
       followed. 
C-54, Douglas
       DC-4. Two in Belgian service from 1950 onwards.
C-118, Douglas
       DC-6.
C-119 Flying Boxcar, Fairchild
       46 {C-119}s were supplied by the USA form 1953 onwards. Retired
       in 1973.
C-130 Hercules, Lockheed
       The {C-130} is ubiqutous US-built transport aircraft.
C 444 Goeland, Caudron
       The {Goeland} was a French transport aircraft. Only one was used
       by the FAB/BL.
Ca 312, Caproni
       Belgium ordered 24 {Ca 312}s, but the outbreak of WWII prevented
       delivery.
Ca 335, Caproni
       See {S 47}.
Camel, Sopwith
       The {Camel} was one of the most successful biplane fighters of WWI.
       Between 30 and 40 were in Belgian service, delivered in 1917 and
       retired in 1922.
CF-100 Canuck, Avro
       Canadian all-weather fighter. Entered service in 1957; retired
       in 1964. The {CF-100} was reliable and effective, but soon became
       obsolete.
Chickinox, Dynali
       Delta-wing ultralight; 25 ordered by the Indian airforce for the
       pre-selection of pilots.
CR.42, Fiat
       Italian biplane fighter. The {CR.42} fighters were new in 1940, but
       nevertheless completely obsolete. In the brief fighting of May 1940
       the CR.42 had a few victories. 27 were delivered.
--D-------------------------------------------------------------------------
D VII, Fokker
       At the end of WWII, Germany was ordered to deliver 324 aircraft to
       Belgium, including 75 {Fokker D.VII} fighters. Only 34 were
       airworthy. They served as trainers until 1930.
DC-3, Douglas
DC-4, Douglas
       Two were used for military transports from and to Congo.
DC-6, Douglas
Deperdussin Monococque 1913
       This was the personal aircraft of H. Crombez, who joined the air
       force at the outbreak of WWI and brought his aircraft with him.
DH-4, de Havilland
       About 50 were bought from Britain after WWI, to train the new air
       force. Later SABCA built 15 more.
DH-9, de Havilland
       29 built by SABCA in 1922 and 1923. 
Do-27, Dornier
       Twelve {Do-27} liaison aircraft were bought for the Army.
Dominie, De Havilland
       The {Dominie} was an elegant British transport biplane, seven
       in Belgian AF service.
Dove, De Havilland
       The {Dove} monoplane replaced the Dominie and Dragon Rapide
       biplanes. 
--E-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epervier, Renard
       Single-seat fighter. The Epervier was a parasol-wing monoplane
       with very angular, but clean lines, and of metal construction.
       It was designed for Stampe-Vertongen, but designer Renard left
       the company and took the Epervier design with him. The first
       prototype was lost in 1928. A second was built, but in 1930 the
       Fairey Firefly fighter biplane was chosen for the air force.
       Type: Epervier 2bis
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1928  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 480hp SABCA Jupiter
       Wing Span: 10.20m  Length: 7.00m  Height: 2.76m  Wing Area: 20.00m2
       Empty Weight: 794kg  Max.Weight: 
       Speed: 273km/h  Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament: 2*mg7.7mm
--F-------------------------------------------------------------------------
F2B, Bristol
       The British Bristol {F2}B 'Brisfit' two-seat fighter was used
       for training from 1923 onwards, when 31 were bought from Britain.
       Later SABCA built 40 more.
F.VII, Fokker
       Three night-bomber versions of the F.VII were ordered in 1933. In
       1938 four F.VIIs of Sabena were added, and two more in 1940. 
F40, Farman
F-16, General Dynamics
       The small all-round fighter from G.D. won the 'sale of the century'
       to equip the air forces of the small European NATO partners. Belgium
       bought 162, but recent cutbacks mean that 35 are in storage and
       offered for sale. The others will receive a MLU. In contrast to
       other NATO partners, Belgium did not immediately buy ECM equipment,
       and the {F-16}s were considered unsuitable for operations in conflict
       zones until Dassault Carapace passive ECM was delivered in 1994 ---
       the selection of this equipment leading to accusations of corruption.
F-84 Thunderjet, Republic
       Entered service in 1951, delivered by the USA as military aid. The
       {F-84}E and F-84G were in service. The F-84Es kept their USAF 
       'Buzz numbers' in Belgian service, and where returned in their
       original paint scheme. Of the 213 F-84Gs delivered, 54 were lost
       in accidents.
F-84F Thunderstreak, Republic
       The {F-84}F was a swept-wing fighter-bomber of US design. 197
       replaced the {F-84} Thunderjet in the Belgian AF.
RF-84F Thunderflash, Republic
       The R{F-84}F was a reconnaissance version of the {F-84}F. 34 were
       delivered.
F-104 Starfighter, Lockheed
       Replaced the {F-84}F and {CF-100}.
Falcon 20, Dassault-Breguet
       Two VIP transports.
Fantome, Fairey
       The Fantome, also called Feroce, was a neat biplane fighter, that
       was offered to the air force in 1935. See the section on British
       aircraft for more detail. 
Farman
       A Farman biplane was the first aircraft of the 'Compagnie des
       Aviateurs', created in 1910.
FBA, Schreck
       Single-engined biplane flying boat of the WWI period. The {FBA}
       Schreck could carry two 50kg bombs.
Feroce, Fairey
       See {Fantome}.
Firefly, Fairey
       The {Firefly} was a biplane fighter, a clean design that owed
       much to the {Fox} bomber. 25 built in the UK, 62 more by the
       Belgian subsidiary of Fairey. Some were still in service in May
       1940.
FK 56, Koolhoven
       The {FK 56} was a Dutch monoplane trainer with retractable landing
       gear. A few were bought in the emergency situation of 1939. 
Fox, Avions Fairey
       The British {Fox} was fast biplane light bomber that revolutionized
       the design of such aircraft when it first appeared, outpacing most
       fighters. The RAF only bought a small number of them, but more were
       built by the Belgian subsidiary of Fairey. Avions Fairey also
       produced two-seat (Fox V and VI) and single-seat (Fox VII) fighter
       versions, powered by French Hispano-Suiza engines. Belgium bought
       50 Fox VIC two-seat fighters. But the 89 Foxes of all types that
       formed the larger part of the Air Force strength in 1940 were
       already completely obsolete.
       Type: Fox VIC
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1935  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ydrs
       Wing Span: 11.85m  Length: 9.17m  Height: 3.35m  Wing Area: 
       Empty Weight:   Max.Weight: 2245kg
       Speed: 360km/h  Ceiling:   Range: 2.75hrs
       Armament: 3*mg7.62mm
       Type: Fox VII
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1935  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ydrs
       Wing Span: 11.85m  Length: 9.17m  Height: 3.35m  Wing Area:        
       Empty Weight:   Max.Weight: 2152kg
       Speed: 375km/h  Ceiling:   Range: 
       Armament: 4*mg7.62mm
--G-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gladiator, Gloster
       22 of the British {Gladiator} biplane fighter were ordered in
       1937. SABCA built only eight, the rest was acquired directly
       from Gloster. On 11 May 1940 they were destroyed on the ground.
       The Belgian Gladiators were Mk.IIs, but had the twin-bladed
       wooden propellers of the Mk.I, allegedly because some officer
       in the air force disliked three-bladed propellers... 
GN, Farman
       Farman-type pusher biplane, built in license by the Belgian army at
       Beaumarais. Six are known.
GR 8, LACAB
       Ugly, angular twin-engined biplane bomber. Only one built.
--H-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harvard, North American
       The {AT-6} Harvard was a classic monoplane trainer of WWI. Some
       were sent to Congo (Zaire).
HD-1, Hanriot
       The {HD-1} was a French fighter biplane, not popular with the
       French but built in large numbers for Belgium and Italy. Between
       79 and 125 were delivered to Belgium.
Heron, de Havilland
       See {Heron} in the British list. 
HF, Henry Farman
       French pusher biplane. A number of aircraft, several versions
       powered by engines of varying power, were in service with the
       Belgian armed forces from 1910 onwards.
HS.748, Hawker Siddeley
       Three medium range transport aircraft.
HSS-1, Sikorksy
       Seven {HSS} utility helicopters were delivered between 1963 and
       1969; later seven more S-58C were bought from Sabena.
Hunter, Hawker
       The {Hunter} F.4 replaced the {Meteor} F.8 and F-84 in 1957; they
       were soon updated to or replaced by Hunter F.6s. A total of 144
       were in service.
Hurricane, Hawker
       Eleven Hawker {Hurricane}s were the only modern aircraft the air force
       had in May 1940. Belgium had bought 22, impressed four, and built
       three; because of accidents only 11 were available at the outbreak
       of war. Most were destroyed by attack before they could be moved to
       wartime airfields; three survived, but were never to be used in
       combat. After the war Belgium received three more.
--I-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Islander, Britten-Norman
       See {Islander} in the British list.
--J-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jero-Farman
       These were license-built Henry Farman pusher biplanes, built in
       Antwerp by Bollekens.
Jet Squalus, Promavia
       This is a small low-wing ab initio jet trainer, built by a
       Italian/Belgain joint venture. The Belgian air force is not
       interested, but there are efforts to sell it abroad, with
       the uprated TFE109-3 engine. Its was one of the contenders
       for the USA JPATS requirement. Production of the type by the
       Portugese OGMA and even by Mikoyan was contemplated. 
       Type: Jet Squalus
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1987  Crew: 2  Engines: 2 * 5.92kN Garrett TFE109-1
       Wing Span: 9.04m  Length: 9.36m  Height: 3.60m  Wing Area: 
       Empty Weight:   Max.Weight: 
       Speed: 519km/h  Ceiling: 11275m  Range: 1850km
       Armament: 4*b150kg
--K-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--L-------------------------------------------------------------------------
L-18, Piper
       The {L-18} liaison aircraft was used by the Army.
L-21 Super Cub, Piper
       Five {L-21}Bs were bought from the Dutch KLu in 1975, to replace
       the SV-4 as glider tugs.
Leopard Moth, de Havilland
       One, for the colonial forces in Congo (now Zaire). 1941.
--M-------------------------------------------------------------------------
M.1, Ponnier
       The {M.1} was a French fighter biplane that was built in
       small numbers, most of which went to Belgium. It was soon
       declared unusable.
       Type: M.1
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1916  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone 9C
       Speed: 167km/h  Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament: 1*mg7.7mm
Magister, Fouga
       The French {Magister} was one of the most popular light jet
       trainers. They were finally replaced by the {Alpha Jet}.
Magister, Miles
       The Miles {Magister} was a British low-wing trainer. One
       in Belgian service.
MD.900 Explorer
       Two MD.900 for the Rijkswacht/Gendarmerie were delivered in 1997.
       They are equipped with surveillance equipment. 
Merlin, Swearingen
       Five Merlin IIIAs.
Meteor, Gloster
       The {Meteor} was the first jet aircraft of the Belgian air force.
       Fighter, trainer and nightfighter versions were used.
MF, Maurice Farman
       Maurice Farman biplanes of the types {MF 7}, {MF 11} and {MF 13} were
       supplied by France during the initial stages of WWI.
Mirage 5, Dassault
       The {Mirage 5} was a ground-attack version of the {Mirage III},
       with less electronics but more fuel. Selected to replace the
       {F-84}F in 1968; most of the aircraft were license-built in
       Belgium.
Mosquito, De Havilland
       The {Mosquito} Served as nightfighter and target tug, from 1947
       onwards. These were ex-RAF aircraft. Last retired in 1956.
MS.35, Morane-Saulnier
       The {MS.35} Parasol-wing monoplane trainer, 20 built by SABCA. 
MS.236, Morane-Saulnier
       The {MS.236} was a high-wing trainer and liaison aicraft. Approx
       20 were license built by SABCA. Despite their age they were used
       as reconnaissance aircraft in 1940.
--N-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NiD.29, Nieuport-Delage
       Twenty of the {NiD.29} biplane fighter were bought from the
       manufacturer; 88 were license-built by SABCA. They replaced the
       Spad {S.XIII} and Hanriot {HD-1}.
Nieuport 10
       The {Nieuport 10} was a French biplane fighter, some received in
       mid-1915. Soon replaced by the {Nieuport 11} and {Nieuport 17}.
Nieuport 11
       The {Nieuport 11} replaced the Farman biplanes in 1916.
Nieuport 16
       See {Nieuport 16} in the French list.
Nieuport 17
       Twelve {Nieuport 17} biplane fighters were received in 1916. They
       were replaced in summer 1917.
Nieuport 72
       Three {Nieuport 72}s were ordered for tests in 1929. No orders
       followed. 
--O-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxford, Airspeed
       The {Oxford} was a British twin-engined trainer and liaison
       aircraft. In service until 1957.
--P-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pembroke, Percival
       Twelve {Pembroke}s replaced the {Anson}s on 1954. Used until 1976.
Potez 33
       Eight {Potez 33} trainers and liaison aircraft acquired in early 1930s.
Proctor, Percival
       The {Proctor} was a British low-wing liaison aircraft. Six in Belgian
       service.
Puma, Aerospatial
       French medium-size transport helicopter. Three {Puma}s are in service
       with the Gendarmerie -- that was, until recently, a part of the Army.
       It was tried to trade one for a refurbishing of the other two, but
       recently one was damaged beyond repair.
Pup, Sopwith
       The {Pup} was a small British biplane fighter. Some in Belgian
       service during WWI.
--Q-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--R-------------------------------------------------------------------------
R 31, Renard
       Parasol-winged reconaissance aircraft. The R 31 was still in service
       in 1940, as the only aircraft of Belgian design flown in combat in
       WWII. It was unpopular with its crews because of its bad flying
       characteristics. 34 built.
       Type: R 31
       Function: reconaissance
       Year: 1935  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 525hp R.R. Kestrel II-S
       Wing Span: 14.40m  Length: 9.24m  Height: 2.92m  Wing Area: 32m2
       Empty Weight: 1400kg  Max.Weight: 2150kg
       Speed: 295km/h  Ceiling: 8750m  Range: 650km
       Armament: 2-3*mg 80kg
R 32, Renard
       Improved {R 31}. Two built.
R 36, Renard
       Single-seat, low-wing fighter monoplane with rectractable landing
       gear. The all-metal R 36 was a modern design. After the loss of
       the prototype, the government cancelled an option on 40 and decided
       to buy the Hawker Hurricane. One built.
       Type: R 36
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1937  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 910hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs
       Wing Span: 11.64m  Length: 8.80m  Height: 2.90m  Wing Area: 20.00m2
       Empty Weight: 1770kg  Max.Weight: 
       Speed: 505km/h  Ceiling:   Range: 1000km
       Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg7.7mm
R 37, Renard
       Development of the {R 36}. The R 37 had a closely-cowled radial
       engine, with a very large spinner. It was not flown before the
       German invasion. A German pilot, presumably not knowing that
       this was the first flight, flew it to Germany, but there is no
       record of any testing. 
       Type: R 37
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1940  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 1100hp Gnome-Rhone 14N-21
       Wing Span: 11.64m  Length: 8.40m  Height: 2.90m  Wing Area: 20.00m2
       Empty Weight: 1810kg  Max.Weight: 
       Speed: 510km/h	Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament: 4*mg7.7mm
R 38, Renard
       Development of the {R 36} with a R.R. Merlin engine. One built
       before the tests were brought to a halt by the German invasion.
       The prototype was flown to France, and was later scrapped. 
       Type: R 38
       Function: fighter
       Year: 1939  Crew: 1  Engines: 1 * 1030hp R.R. Merlin II
       Wing Span: 11.64m  Length: 8.80m  Height: 2.90m  Wing Area: 20.00m2
       Empty Weight: 1950kg  Max.Weight: 
       Speed: 545km/h  Ceiling:   Range: 1350km
       Armament: 4*mg7.7mm
R 40, Renard
       Development of the {R 38} with a pressure cabin. One built.
RE 8, Royal Aircraft Factory
       British reconaissance biplane. 22 bought, replacing the {BE2}C.
       Retired in 1918.
RSV18.100
       High-wing aircraft. A biplane version was known as the RSV25. The
       aircraft could easily be converted, and three were built in the USA
       as the 'R.S.V. Convertible Plane'.
RSV22, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane trainer. The air fore bought 22 as trainers.
RSV23.180
       Improved {RSV26.180}.
RSV25.100
       Biplane version of the {RSV18.100}.
RSV26.180
       Biplane trainer. A version of the {RSV32.90} for advanced training,
       with smaller wings and a more powerful engine.
       Type: RSV26.180
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1925  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 180hp Hispano-Suiza
       Speed: 182km/h  Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament:
RSV28.100
       Parasol monoplane, intended for instrument-flying training.
       Type: RSV28.100
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1932  Crew:   Engines:
       Speed:	Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament:
RSV32.90, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane trainer, mostly built for the Belgian Air Force; some used as
       liaison aircraft in 1940.  57 built.
       Type: RSV32.90
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1923  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 65kW Anzani 10C
       Speed: 125km/h  Ceiling: 5000m  Range:
--S-------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.VII, Spad
       The {S.VII} was the most famous French fighter biplane of WWI. 22
       were delivered to Belgium in 1917.
S.XI, Spad
       Two-seat version of the Spad {S.VII}.
S.XIII, Spad
       The {S.XIII} French fighter biplane was an improvement of the
       earlier {S.VII}.
S 40, SABCA
       Two-seat trainer monoplane, 1939. Few built.
S 47, SABCA
       Single-engined attack monoplane, a development of the Italian Caproni
       {Ca 335} attack aircraft. SABCA built one in 1938. It was powered by
       a Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine, and armed with a 20mm cannon and
       three 7.7mm machineguns.
S 73, Savoia Marchetti
       Three-engined tranport aircraft. The S 73 flew with the state-owned
       Sabena airline, but were impressed in military service in 1940.
Sea King, Westland
       In 1974 five {Sea King} SAR helicopters were bought. They are
       still in service, operating as rescue helicopters over the North
       Sea. 
SF 260, SIAI-Marchetti
       Three dozen {SF 260} monoplane trainers replace the {SV 4}
       biplanes from 1969 onwards. Later nine more were added.
Short 827
       Four {Short 827}s, on loan from the British Admiralty, were used
       in a campaign in East Africa during WWI.
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
       The {Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter} was a British reconaissance biplane.
       About 20 were bought, finally retired in 1921.
Spitfire, Supermarine
       {Spitfire}s were flown by Belgian pilots in the R.A.F. In 1946 the
       Spitfires of 349th and 350th squadron received Belgian colors. About
       180 were bought from Britain, but these were mark IX and XIV, while
       the wartime equipment of these units had been mark XVIs.
SV 4, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane trainer, obviously inspired by the De Havilland {Moth}. The
       SV 4 was Stampe-Vertongen's most built aircraft, and the company
       was briefly revived after the war to build more SV 4's. The SV 4
       enjoyed such a reputation as trainer and aerobatic aircraft, that
       production was resumed in France during the late 40's, when a French
       company built 700 for the Armee de l'Air and flying clubs. The
       Belgian AF had 65.
       Type: SV 4B
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1933  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 125hp De Havilland Gipsy Major I
       Wing Span: 8.40m  Length: 6.50m  Height: 2.60m  Wing Area: 19m2
       Empty Weight: 440kg  Max.Weight: 780kg
       Speed: 205km/h  Ceiling: 5200m  Range: 420km
SV 5, Stampe-Vertongen
       Two-seat trainer biplane. SABCA built about 30 for the air force,
       and it was also built for Lithuania.
       Type: SV 5
       Function: trainer
       Year: 1935  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 250kW Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX
       Speed: 277km/h  Ceiling: 7200m  Range:
       Armament: 2*mg
SV 6, Stampe-Vertongen
       Single-seat biplane. 125hp De Havilland Gipsy Major.
SV 7, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane reconaissance bomber. The SV 7 was an obsolete design. The
       Fairey Battle was ordered by the air force.
       Type: SV 7
       Function: reconaissance bomber
       Year: 1935  Crew: 2  Engines: 1 * 507hp P&W Wasp
       Speed:	Ceiling:   Range:
       Armament: 5*mg
SV 10, Stampe-Vertongen
       Fighter-bomber. The SV 10 was a twin-engined sesquiplane. The
       prototype was lost in an accident.
       Type: SV 10
       Function: fighter-bomber
       Year: 1935  Crew: 5  Engines: 2 * Gnome-Rhone 14Krsd
       Speed: 350km/h  Ceiling: 8000m  Range:
       Armament: 0-1*g 5-4*mg 600kg
SV 18, Stampe-Vertongen
       Slightly more powerful version of the {SV 4}.
SV 22, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane trainer, 10 in service. 1933.
SV 26, Stampe-Vertongen
       Biplane trainer, 10 in service. 1932.
Sycamore, Bristol
       Three Sycamore's were used from Kamina, in Congo, for Search & Rescue.
--T-------------------------------------------------------------------------
T-33, Lockheed
       The first {Lockheed T-33} jet trainer arrived in March 1952.
Tiger Moth, de Havilland
       British biplane trainer. Was replaced by the {SV 4} in 1950.
--U-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--V-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voisin 3
       Some (5 or 7) {Voisin 3}s were supplied by France in the winter
       of 1914.
--W-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--X-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Y-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Z-------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

