Words and photographs Remco Donselaar

Some 25km south-east of Brussels, one of the largest air bases in Belgium is situated: Air Base Lt.Col. Charles Roman, Beauvechain.

Beauvechain has a large history and many types served at this air base for the Belgium Defence - Air Component, like the Spitfire, Hunter, T-33, F-104G and F-16A/B. Almost all these types are stored in a small museum on base. This museum is open twice a month.

Nowadays it hosts the 1 Wing consisting of two flying Squadrons (or  'Smaldelen' as the Belgians call their units); the 5^th and 7^th. Also  a medical en meteo group are based here. Maintenance is still being done at the Belgium Alpha Jets after the displacement to Cazaux. Also the Marchetti`s are in maintenance at Beauvechain.

As said there are two flying squadrons at Beauvechain; the 5^th is flying with the SIAI SF-260D/M Marchetti. Since 1969 this small trainer has been used for Elemental Flight Training as a replacement for the SV-4B. Wearing a camouflage scheme, the aircraft are Yellow/Red nowadays, decorated with a large shark mouth and a wolves head.

The Wolves head is the symbolic insignia of Beauvechain, real Wolves are at the base near the museum since 1999.

The 7^th smaldeel is flying with the Fouga Magister, see below for more information....

Another show season for the Fouga Magister!

When Michael and Erik visited the Koksijde Airshow last year, they were in the assumption this would be the last time they have seen the Fouga CM-170 Magister flying it`s display. I thought the same when I saw the MT-48 flying ultra low over the runway at the Defence Days here at Beauvechain, September last year.

After 46 years the end was near for the Fouga CM-170 Magister and after the last display at the Duxford Autumn Airshow Lt.Colonel Paul Rorive said goodbye from the cockpit to his wife, crewchiefs and off course the crowd watching his last display.

At least that was how it would have been, 3 aircraft were still airworthy at January 2007. They will be withdrawn from use when their flight hour limit is reached. Last thursday, May 3th only the MT-48 and MT-35 were still operational with the MT-48 to be withdrawn at June 5th 2007.

The MT-35 however has still enough flight hours left to make a last show appereance at the first half of the show season, therefore it will receive some special decorations. One of the appearances will be at the RNLAF Open days at Volkel. The last public performance will be at the Belgium Defence days at Koksijde.

The last Flight is scheduled at the end of September,then we will finally  say goodbye to the Fouga CM-170 Magister and Paul Rorive.

The author wishes to thank Gilze-Rijen Aviation Society GRAS for arranging this visit and the PRO of Beauvechain Airbase for his hospitality.