55 TFS

Last S-58 with 40 smaldeel.

in a proces of getting a new paint job

traveling exhibit

With serial 85-1399/HR of the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron in the back ground, this 0393 was parked on the static display of Koksijde. After its USAFE career, the F-16C was flown back to the States and assigned to the Air National Guard (113th FS/'TH') and later the 162nd FS/'AZ'followed by the 111th FS/'EF'. The Fighting Falcon is preserved at Austin-Camp Mabry in Txeas since late 2012.

Delivered to the RAF on 2 January 1968, and stored at Fleetlands since early 1997. It was moved to Gosport late 1997, left by road to Benson in April 2002, reported again at Gosport in May 2003 (up to January 2012 and then seen as a road runner to Hixon early 2012. Stored there and moved to Air & Ground location at Shirleywich. Again seen stored, but then at Culham Adventure Land in April 2013. It was said to be sold a new owner in France but was still in that Advanture Land early 2020. What an effort for this beautiful Wessex... it deserves some rest ;-)

Another highlight of the Koksijde show in 1987, this Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) Centre d'Essais en Vol (CEV, Flight Test Center) Gloster Meteor NF11. The aircraft, which was built by Armstrong Whitworth in 1953 and delivered to the RAF as WM298 was directly transferred to France and flown on test work with the CEV as NF11-3. It was used - among other tests - as a ram-jet test bed and was retired late 1987. The Meteor can still be enjoyed as it is preserved in the Brussels museum.

Highlight of the Koksijde show was this marvelous looking Wessex HU5, which arrived from RNAS Culdrose. The HU5 is a UK-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. The HU5 (101 built) was initially produced for the Royal Navy and later for the Royal Air Force. Within the RN it was operated as an anti-submarine warfare and utility helicopter, but was also used for SAR missions. The type entered service in '61, and had a service life of 'some 40 years before being retired in the UK. This XS484 also served during the Falkland War. It was scrapped at Hanningfield Metals in '97.

Scrapped at Lanveoc in 1995. It was parked on a terrible way at the static show (against the light).

Originally built as a F-4M and first flown on 20 November 1968. It was delivered to RAF 2sq, on most probably 31 January 1969. XV430 is seen here afterits arrival from homebase RAF Wildenrath (Germany) at the static of Koksijde. At that time, already redesignated to FGR2. After a long operational career, the Phantom was withdrawn from use on 5 July 1991. It was first stored for a period at RAF Wattisham, but then scrapped at that location in February 1992.

The Belgium Mirage Vs carried such a great camouflage pattern! This BA22, delivered to the Belgium Air Force on 6 May 1971, was shown at the static show of Koksijde in 1987 and is currently preserved at the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) gate at Florennes air base.

First flown on 28 April 1981, delivered to the Royal Navy on 2 June 1981 as a HAS5. The Sea King is stored at Somerton since September 2020 after it was sold to HeliOperations in 2019. Here the unmarked helicopter (except for its code 52) arrived at the Koksijde air show.

Delivered to USAFE on 4 May'81 to the 36th TFW at Bitburg AB (Germany). The Eagle then flew with the 53rd TFS (as pictured), the 22nd TFS, was transferred to Soesterberg AB (Netherlands) to fly with the 32nd TFS, was used with in the Gulf War to shoot down a Iraqi Il-76 with an AIM-7M Sparrow and its 20mm guns on 2 Feb'91, returned to Bitburg to fly with the 525th TFS, 22nd TFS and again the 525th TFS. When Bitburg was closed, the F-15C moved to the 43rd FS and later to the 19th FS from Eielson AFB (AK). It then started to fly with the 33th FW from Eglin AFB (FL). Stored at AMARG since jul'09.