Sabena leased two Vertol 44s for the duration of Expo 58 in Brussels. A temporary heliport was in operation. OO-SHM, an S-58 is on the right. The capital's regular heliport was situated at Allée Verte or Groendreef.

At the Merwedecentrale power station. Dated 1953, this photograph probably shows a rescue mission after the 1 February 1953 North Sea flood. Photo from: Regionaal Archief Dordrecht

'Opening of the Helihaven.' The Sabena chopper arrived from the Keukenhof tulip gardens as there was talk about springtime Brussels - Rotterdam - Keukenhof - Haarlem - Zandvoort services, although it was really more about local sightseeing flights, with Sabena finding the Dutch more enthusiastic about its helicopters than the Belgian public. Flights for the 1955 bulb season were cancelled with the airline complaining about the high trees at the Haarlem site. It is now a football pitch, although still called Helikopterveld when used by the cricket club from across the road. Photo by: Cees de Boer / Noord-Hollands Archief

Sabena's first S-55 landing in front of the Melsbroek airport terminal. Begun by the Belgians as a satellite airfield for Haren, Melsbroek was expanded by the Germans during WWII and connected to Haren by a long taxiway. Melsbroek became the new Brussels airport in 1948. A modern terminal was opened ten years later near Zaventem on the south side of the field. Photo from: Sabena

The Westland Widgeon was an unsuccesful development of the WS-51 Dragonfly. Along with two Vertol 44s, G-ANLW topped up the Sabena helicopter fleet during World Expo 1958 in Brussels. The World Expo logo is on the nose.

One of two V-44s flown by Sabena during the Brussels World Expo in 1958. N74058 subsequently made an European demo tour. Did rescue work after earthquake in Italy and landed at St Peter's Square to be blessed by the Pope on 15 February 1959. Subsequently flown with callsign 'Holy 1'. To Canada as CF-NVC. Preserved at San Diego Air & Space Museum. Photo from: Boeing

Life photographer Loomis Dean had a day out with Sabena's new S-58 helicopters. These are fitted with 'doughnut' inflatable flotation bags made by Air Cruisers, Belmar, New Jersey. Photo by: Loomis Dean / Life

Following the 1 February 1953 North Sea flood, helicopter crews who participated in the rescue effort were invited at Queen Juliana's palace. Sabena's OO-UBB and the sole Dutch helicopter at the time, the navy's 8-1 (H-1) are seen. Nine American Bells also landed on the lawns and five British helicopters on a nearby football pitch. One 'very large American helicopter' landed at Soesterberg airbase. It is safe to assume the event was Prince Bernhard's idea. Photo by: Daan Noske / Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

In 1953 Sabena launched passenger helicopter services from Brussels over relatively long distances. One of the destinations was Maastricht. A heliport was built here on the right bank of the river Maas or Meuse. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Sabena S-58C operating the scheduled passenger service from Brussels to Paris.

Operated by Sabena on experimental internal air mail services from Brussels. Later OO-SHX. From Sabena 60 years ago.