Arriving at the Antwerp airport a local legend welcomes the visitor at the entrance, the famous Jan Olieslagers

Although the exhibition area is limited, the visitor is able to admire the artefacts in a neat en orderly environment. This superb replica of a Sopwith F.1 Camel represents the colour scheme of Jan Olieslager's aircraft.

A link trainer as used by the Belgian Air Force, the flight simulator avant-la-lettre.

The pride of the Belgian aerospace industry and first aircraft to fly for a whole generation of Belgian military pilots, the Stampe Vertongen SV-4 is omni present in the museum.

One of the well documented historical adventures of the SV-4 aircraft was the escape of two military pilots, Leon Divoy and Mike Donnet, who during the war managed to restore a civilian SV-4 to flying condition and escape from occupied Belgium to join the RAF in the England and fight back against Germany. SV-4B OO-BPL (former Belgian Air Force V-52) is painted all over white to represent the historical machine.

 Besides the SV-4's, the museum exhibits an extraordinary collection of WWI era airworthy replica’s aircraft, among them a German Albatros (top) and a French Nieuport (lower).

One of the very active collaborators of the museum is making some final touches to this beautiful wooden B-24 Liberator replica which will be part of the collection very soon.

A very enthusiastic guide can bring young and old people back to the early years of aviation.

In the back you can find Jean Stampe in his workshop.....

..... while he looks at his masterpiece in the restoration area, a second SV-4B of the “Manchots” aerobatic team, this one still in its original livery is on loan from the Royal Army Museum at Brussels

A beautiful reunion to commemorate a great person in Belgian Aviation History.

With special thanks to Frank, Jean and Dirk.

 More info on the museum at: www.stampe.be/

 The October 10th,  2010 the museum aircraft will be rolled out for:  Engines on the blocks

 An event where the engines of the planes will be started, and when the weather is good, there is even a possibility that one of this beauties takes off for a flight.

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daniel.brackx@telenet.be