Here are a selection of photos from the wonderful Belgian aero museum in Brussels. The collection is extensive, covering the dawn of flight right through to the jet age.
WWII Douglas Invader (US)
British trio from the Battle of France. On the far left is the Fairey Battle light bomber. A fast and modern plane when it was first introduced in the mid-1930s, it was totally outclassed in 1940. Every Battle the British sent against the Luftwaffe in the first days of the Battle of France were destroyed with terrible loss and they were quickly withdrawn from frontline service. The Battle gained a terrible reputation as a deathtrap, which was true but slightly unfair. In part the problem was British tactics. Daylight attacks by light bombers, without fighter escort, in an environment of enemy air superiority were always doomed to failure.
On the right is the Hawker Hurricane, Britain's mainstay fighter of the Battle of Britain, and suspended above is a Bristol Blenheim. The Blenheim was developed from a prewar airliner and proved to be a reasonably versatile light bomber at the beginning of the war, but was soon outclassed and obsolete.
Looking down on the Blenheim.
Shelly and the Fairey Battle.
A wonderful Junkers Ju52 transporter/airliner. Introduced in the early 1930s as an airliner, it served the Luftwaffe as a bomber, general transport, paratroop transport and reconnaissance aircraft throughout the Second World War and beyond.
A De Havilland Dragon Rapide amongst the many restoration projects underway.
Nord Aviation 1002 Pinguin 2. This was a postwar French version of the Messerschmitt bf108 Taifun, the predecessor of the ubiquitous Me 109 fighter.
Gorgeous 1932 Proctor Percival.
1944 Percival Proctor Mk4 trainer (UK)
Fairchild C-119 Boxcar
De Havilland Mosquito (UK). The late 30s designed 'wooden wonder' was an excellent light bomber, heavy fighter, night fighter and path finder. It continued in use in many airforces well into the 1950s.
Airspeed Oxford & a DC3
A view over the jet collection
Soviet "Hind" assault helicopter and a Soviet Gaz truck. The tough Hind is still in use with many post Soviet airforces' today, including an updated version in the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Avro Canada CF-100
Gloster Meteor (UK). Introduced in the last months of World War Two, the Meteor was Britain's first operating jet fighter. It continued in use with many airforces well into the 1960s.
Britain's second operational fighter, the De Havilland Vampire, was unfortunately deployed a few weeks too late for service in the Second World War. It was build largely of wood with a steel skin. It served in many post war airforces, including the Royal Australian Airforce.
Soviet Mig-15
Caravelle airliner
The upper floor contains a collection of WWI and pioneer aircraft.
Pre-war Farman boxkite (France)
Taube? (Germany)
Cauldron biplane (France)
Voisin bomber (France)
Farman biplane (France)
French Spad VIII fighter
British Sopwith Camel
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
Nieuport XVII
Bristol Fighter
Hannover ground attack aircraft (Germany)
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The remains of two German Zepplin engine cars
