Belgian Wings
Belgian Air Force, past and present.
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Avro 504K
Single engine two-seat trainer aircraft
The Avro 504K which was very successful during World War I in Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) and later on in Royal Air Force (RAF) service was first presented to the Belgian authorities in 1920 at Evere airfield. Two aircraft, Avro 504K G-EAVD (ex-E6757) and G-EAHX, were involved in these demonstrations which would lead to a first order for 6 Avro 504K’s through contract N° 45/21 between the Belgian government and Vickers Ltd. A second order for an additional six machines closely followed the initial contract (according to some source this second batch of aircraft received the Belgian civil registrations between O-BADI and O-BADK). Delivery to the Aviation Militaire Belge of these twelve Avro 504K trainers started from April 1921 onwards. Later in 1921 a third order was placed with Aircraft C° Ltd for 38 supplementary Avro 504K’s making a grand total of 50 aircraft delivered from British sources. Finally, as of 1924 Sabca constructed some 28 supplementary Avro 504K’s under license agreement with Avro. The Belgian Air Service's "K"s were essentially used at the pilot schools, first at Asch and later at Wevelgem airfields, but some machines were also used as communications aircraft in different squadrons and groups. The Avro 504K received the Belgian military serials A-1 through A-78. Some thirteen Renard powered former AéM aircraft of the Sabca license production reappeared on the Belgian civilian register serving their owners well into the thirties. In 1929 the first of the Lynx 215 hp powered Avro 504N aircraft ordered as the “K” replacement was delivered by A.V.Roe which would mark the start of the retirement of these very forgiving and multi-adaptable machines in the Belgian Aéronautique Militaire. (D. Brackx)
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More individual aircraft will be added in the future.