1986 Koksijde

The HH-53B was essentially an interim type, with production quickly moving on to the modestly improved Air Force HH-53C CSAR variant. The most visible difference between the HH-53B and HH-53C was that the HH-53C dispensed with the fuel-tank bracing struts. Experience with the HH-53B showed that the original tank was too big, adversely affecting performance when they were fully fueled, and so a smaller 450 US gal (1,703 L) tank was adopted in its place. Other changes included more armor and a more comprehensive suite of radios to improve communications with C-130 tankers, attack aircraft supporting CSAR actions, and aircrews awaiting rescue on the ground. The HH-53C was otherwise much like the HH-53B, with the more powerful T64-GE-7 engines.
A total of 44 HH-53Cs were built, with introduction to service in August 1968. Late in the war they were fitted with countermeasures pods to deal with heat-seeking missiles. As with the HH-53B, the HH-53C was also used for covert operations and snagging reentry capsules, as well as snagging reconnaissance drones. A few were assigned to support the Apollo space program, standing by to recover an Apollo capsule in case of a launchpad abort, though such an accident never happened.
Westland Helicopters, which had a long-standing licence agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft to allow it to build Sikorsky’s helicopters, extended the agreement to cover the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King soon after the Sea King’s first flight in 1959. Westland proceeded to independently develop the Sea King, integrating a significant proportion of components from British suppliers; key changes include the use of a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft engines and the implementation of an automatic flight control system. On this matter, authors Jim Thorn and Gerald Frawley stated that: “Despite appearances, Westland’s Sea King [is a] very different aircraft from Sikorsky’s”.
This picture is take with a standard lens. Imagen the blast….
A Dutch Allouette III in its natural surroundings.She blends with the background.
The German Navy placed an order for 22 Sea King Mk.41s on 20 June 1969 as a replacement for the Grumman Albatross flying boat in the Search and Rescue Role. This was the first export sale for the Westland Sea King, and was the first dedicated Search and Rescue Sea King variant, with an enlarged cabin and more fuel. The German Sea Kings had similar radar and navigation equipment to the HAS.1, but was not fitted with sonar. The 22 Sea Kings were delivered between April 1973 and September 1974, equipping Marinefliegergeschwader 5 (MFG 5) (Naval Air Wing 5). An additional Sea King was delivered in April 1975 to replace one destroyed in a gale.
A-10A in contrast against the sky. Compared with the ground she blends in however. This image provides a clear view of the design with two high placed engines, twin tail and a long sleek fuselage.
An early F-16: FA-36. Note the housing for ECM in the tail (dragchute housing), the small tailplane, absense of bird slicers, clear canopy.
The S-58 of 40 smaldeel (sqn) celebrated the 25 years of SAR in Belgium. OT is the ICAO prefix for Belgian naval planes.
At the time this was a very new F-16. The coloured canopy was a teltale sign for its stealthy characteristics of which we new nothing then. Under the fuselage is a travelpod.
The Merlin was a twin-engined light transport plane To replace the Percival Pembroke the Belgian Air Force ordered six Swearingen Merlin IIIA turboprop aircraft in september 1975. One aircraft was equipped for the calibration of navigation aids on airfields and a second aircraft was equipped for vertical aerial photography mainly on behalf of National Geographical Institute. In 2003 the remaining 5 aircraft were sold to CAE Aviation in Luxembourg.
The Mirage 5 grew out of a request to Dassault from the Israeli Air Force. Since the weather over the Middle East is clear and sunny most of the time, the Israelis suggested removing avionics, normally located behind the cockpit, from the standard Mirage IIIE to reduce cost and maintenance, and replacing them with more fuel storage for attack missions. In September 1966, the Israelis placed an order for 50 units of the new aircraft.
In 1973, under the “Peace Rhine” program, the Luftwaffe purchased the lightened and simplified F-4F which was upgraded in the mid-1980s. Germany also initiated the Improved Combat Efficiency (ICE) program in 1983. The 110 ICE-upgraded F-4Fs entered service in 1992, and were expected to remain in service until 2012. The German Air Force retired its last F-4Fs on 29 June 2013. German F-4Fs flew 279,000 hours from entering service on 31 August 1973 until retirement
The BAC Jet Provost (originally built by Hunting Percival) was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide.
The Jet Provost proved to be a capable trainer. After successful acceptance trials of the T1 during late 1955 at No. 2 Flying Training School at RAF Hullavington, the RAF formally accepted the type in 1957. The first production version was the T3, powered by the Viper 102, and this entered service with No. 2 FTS, now relocated to RAF Syerston, during June 1959, when deliveries commenced from the Hunting Aircraft factory at Luton airport.
1978 ZB677 Aerospatiale Gazelle AH1 The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat helicopter, commonly used for light transport, scouting and light attack duties. It is powered by a single turbine engine and was the first helicopter to feature a fenestron tail instead of a conventional tail rotor. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation, later Aérospatiale; the Gazelle has also been manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom as the Westland Gazelle, by SOKO in Yugoslavia, and the Arab British Helicopter Company (ABHCO) in Egypt. The Gazelle has participated in numerous conflicts around the world and has been operated by a number of export customers.
1978 ZB677 Aerospatiale Gazelle AH1 Early on, the Gazelle had attracted British interest, which would culminate in the issuing of a major joint development and production work share agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland. The deal, signed in February 1967, allowed the production in Britain of 292 Gazelles and 48 Aérospatiale Pumas ordered by the British armed forces; in return Aérospatiale was given a work share in the manufacturing programme for the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French Navy. Additionally, Westland would have a 65% work share in the manufacturing of the fuselage, and be a joint partner to Aérospatiale on further refinements and upgrades to the Gazelle. Westland would produce a total of 262 Gazelles of various models, mainly for various branches of the British armed forces, Gazelles for the civil market were also produced.
WA297 XT475 Westland Wessex HU5 f/f 21/02/1966, d/d 22/02/1966, 9108M, perished Manston Fire School 1997 The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky S-58 “Choctaw”, it was developed and produced under license by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters). One of the main changes from Sikorsky’s S-58 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine; the Wessex was the first helicopter in the world to be produced in large numbers that made use of a gas turbine propulsion system. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, later builds used a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome engines.
The three Belgian Allouettes III are being used as on board helicopters for their ships.
ST-20 is a high moderate performance Single Engine Piston complex aircraft. A ideal trainer for the airforce.
The Alpha Jet is the follow on trainer from the SF260. It handles nicely in the high subsonic region. AT20 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet 1B C/N B20/1075
Germany was an early adapter of the SAR helicopters throughout the country. All mayor hospitals had a Heuy based.
Bolkow-105PAH is a light anti tank helicopter with six rockets. The easy fielded helicopter provides an early defense against the major Russian attack from the east…
H-81 is one of the Dutch SAR helicopters. It is capable of hoisting one or two ditched pilots or transporting a stretcher from the Dutch isles to a hospital.
In the SeaKing SAR variants, the cabin was enlarged by a stretch of the fuselage behind the door; another key feature, used for additional flotation in the unusual event of a water landing, inflatable buoyancy bags were housed inside the aircraft’s sponsons.[23] Upgrades and changes made to SAR Sea Kings include the addition of radar warning receivers, a cargo hook for the underslung carriage of goods, and the redesigning of the cockpit for compatibility with night vision goggles.
ZA447 is a Tornado GR1; the original British Tornado which saw later action in the Gulf, the Balkan and Northern Iraq.
The two most common markings applied to the A-10 have been the European I woodland camouflage scheme and a two-tone gray scheme. The European woodland scheme was designed to minimize visibility from above, as the threat from hostile fighter aircraft was felt to outweigh that from ground-fire. It uses dark green, medium green and dark gray in order to blend in with the typical European forest terrain and was used from the 1980s to the early 1990s
Italian Pelican on the SAR meeting at Koksijde.
CB-02 – c/n 19403/435 151275: Acquired from Sabena (OO-STD) 140176: In service Belgian Air Force 000098: Withdrawn from use with Belgian Air Force 000199: Registered D2-EVD to Sonair of Angola
Germany uses the CH-53: the three engined master of lifting.
This PAH shows it standard six wire guided rockets, but also six smoke generators used for aerial performances.
Under the nose the landing light is extended.
OT-ZKH enjoying its last flight.
Setting down for its final restingplace in Koksijde. Up to this moment she guards the premisses.
The Italian HH-3F is a licence build Sikorsky. Italian Agusta began production in 1974 and delivered 22 helicopters as replacements for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross used for SAR (Search and Rescue) missions at sea. Italian Air Force AS-61R helicopters perform SAR missions in time of peace and C/SAR (Combat SAR) in time of crisis or during military assignment. All helicopters are operated by the 5 flights of the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna and deployed in 4 bases across Italy.

Koksijde airbase had a large amount of Starfighters in storage. Up to 40 airframes were present.

FX81 & FX83 tied down in long time open storage.
FX78: the beginning of a long storge line up of F-104G’s. C/N 683D-9133
The F-104’s of the Belgian Airforce flew to Koksijde Airbase, where they were parked to await their faith.
Koksijde airbase had a large amount of Starfighters in storage. Up to 40 airframes were present.
10 starfighters lined up in end of life storage.

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