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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 2009, 6:10 AM EDT | Ecam | |
| Apr 12 2009, 6:10 AM EDT | Ecam | 1 photo added, 1 photo deleted |
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In 1970 the Belgian Air Force ordered twelve Lockheed C-130H Hercules (type 382C-25D) transport aircraft as a replacement for the Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar.
The Hercules aircraft were delivered from mid 1972 onwards and taken on charge by No 20 Squadron of 15 Wing at Melsbroek. During the first years of operation the aircraft wore a 'Vietnam'-style camouflage scheme.
In 1990 a 'Mid-Life Improvement Programme' was started, a programme that included replacement of the outer wings (from engine N°2 and N°3 outwards) in phase 1 and installation of a self-protection suite and a complete new 'glass' cockpit with advanced avionics in phase 2. The most noticeable change during this modernisation was the fact that the camouflage was replaced by light grey colorscheme.
The Belgian C-130s have proven their value during numerous humanitarian deployments, during which several difficult missions, considered impossible by some, were successfully completed.
15 Wing was not spared by the Air Force reorganisation of the last years and No 20 Squadron was renamed Tactical Transport Flight in 2005.
CH-01 c/n 382-4455 callsign BAF01 ex 71-1797
Collection Laurent Heyligen
Melsbroek 0502 - Very rare temporary nose art on CH01 'Nairobi Belle' after return from Kenya, Photo D.Lamarque ©
CH-02 c/n 382-4460 callsign BAF02 ex 71-1798
Kleine Brogel 200705 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-03 c/n 382-4461 callsign BAF03 ex 71-1799
Brustem - Sint-Truiden 270687 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-04 c/n 382-4467 callsign BAF04 ex 71-1800
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-05 c/n 382-4470 callsign BAF05 ex 71-1801
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-06 c/n 382-4473 callsign BAF06 ex 71-1802
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-07 c/n 382-4476 callsign BAF07 ex 71-1803
Kleine Brogel 260805 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-08 c/n 382-4478 callsign BAF08 ex 71-1804
Melsbroek 280902 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-09 c/n 382-4479 callsign BAF09 ex 71-1805
Kleine Brogel 200705 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-10 c/n 382-4481 callsign BAF10 ex 71-1806
Beauvechain 010906 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-11 c/n 382-4482 callsign BAF11 ex 71-1807
Beauvechain 010906 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-12 c/n 382-4483 callsign BAF12 ex 71-1808
Koksijde 010706 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-13 c/n 382- 4047 (Former C-130E N130EV) Ex 64-0552
080309 Melsbroek - Collection D.Lamarque
CH-14 c/n 382- 4047 (Former C-130E N130EV) Ex 64-0552
Zaventem (Sabena Technics) 120109 - Photo Gérard Gaudin (c)
Melsbroek 060309 - Photo Dirk Lamarque ©
The Hercules aircraft were delivered from mid 1972 onwards and taken on charge by No 20 Squadron of 15 Wing at Melsbroek. During the first years of operation the aircraft wore a 'Vietnam'-style camouflage scheme.
In 1990 a 'Mid-Life Improvement Programme' was started, a programme that included replacement of the outer wings (from engine N°2 and N°3 outwards) in phase 1 and installation of a self-protection suite and a complete new 'glass' cockpit with advanced avionics in phase 2. The most noticeable change during this modernisation was the fact that the camouflage was replaced by light grey colorscheme.
The Belgian C-130s have proven their value during numerous humanitarian deployments, during which several difficult missions, considered impossible by some, were successfully completed.
15 Wing was not spared by the Air Force reorganisation of the last years and No 20 Squadron was renamed Tactical Transport Flight in 2005.
CH-01 c/n 382-4455 callsign BAF01 ex 71-1797
- 250772: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 92.50 hrs)
- 000772: arrival Melsbroek (crew : C.Vingerhoets (Pilot), J.Vanden Bossche (Co-pilot), De Visscher (system operator), M.Géruzet (system operator), R. Roose (navigator), Huggenberger (navigator), Verhelst (load master), Delsaux (load master)) and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000191: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000193: to Sabena Technics for cockpit modernisation (prototype)
- 000695: noted with special markings, publicity for cockpit update, at Paris-Le Bourget
- 000502: named "The Nairobi Belle"
- 040206: during a flight from Kinshasa to Kikwit (Democratic Republic of Congo) the aicraft was struck by lightning. Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht was one of the passengers.
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Collection Laurent Heyligen
Melsbroek 0502 - Very rare temporary nose art on CH01 'Nairobi Belle' after return from Kenya, Photo D.Lamarque ©
CH-02 c/n 382-4460 callsign BAF02 ex 71-1798
- 110872: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 23.20 hrs)
- 000872: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 180375: engine problems during flight Shannon (Ireland) - Washington (USA). (crew : Cdt.vl.P.Van Boxstael, Cdt.vl.R.Schouppe, Cdt.vl.D.Vannueten, System Operator P.Degeyter, Cdt.nav.P.Heremen, Kapt.nav.H.Lijnen and Adj.vl.Francis Dalcq (loadmaster-steward).
- 010292: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 060902: first noted in special colorscheme '30 Years C130' (last noted as such in 000703)
- 160106: last operational flight
- 000000: to Sabena Technics for D-Check (tt.16779hrs) (approx.13000 take-offs/landings)
- 050506: Destroyed in hangar fire (Building 40) at Zaventem International Airport.
Kleine Brogel 200705 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-03 c/n 382-4461 callsign BAF03 ex 71-1799
- 250872: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 8,35 hrs)
- 000872: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000992: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 260493: first noted with AAR44 Missile Approach Warning System fitted by Lockheed Aircraft Services Company, Chino, California (prototype)
- 030806: first noted with Defence logo on tail in stead of belgian flag
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Brustem - Sint-Truiden 270687 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-04 c/n 382-4467 callsign BAF04 ex 71-1800
- 271072: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 7,10 hrs)
- 001072: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 151075: engine overheated after landing in Luanda (Angola) during the repatriation of Portuguese refugees from Luanda to Lisbon (Portugal) ( Crew: Cdt.vl.J.de Brouwer, Kapt.D.Sibille, Kapt.nav.V.Nicolay, Sytem Operator ADC J.Van Haesendonck and Adj.vl.Francis Dalcq (loadmaster-steward)
- 000789: first noted in white colorscheme for Red Cross mission to Sudan, called "De Witte van Melsbroek" in the booklet "Diary of a Humanitarian Aid Mission in Sudan in August 1989" by the author (then) Colonel Vervoort
- 000593: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000093: special markings to commemorate last "Mid-Life Update"
- 240893: Cat.3 damage to the horizontal tail, 1/3 of the horizontal tail and elevator on starboard side were cut off by the flying debris of Russian Air Force MiG29 that collided during the International Air Tattoo at Fairford (United Kingdom) with his fellow display pilot and aircraft. The airplane was repaired by Sabena Technics and flew again one month later.
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-05 c/n 382-4470 callsign BAF05 ex 71-1801
- 301072: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 8,00 hrs)
- 001072: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 020592: first noted special colorscheme "20 Years 20 Squadron"
- 001292: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000806: first noted with Defence logo on tail in stead of belgian flag
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-06 c/n 382-4473 callsign BAF06 ex 71-1802
- 151272: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 8,00 hrs)
- 001272: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000192: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000494: battle damage during operation 'Silver Back' in Ruanda. During a reconnaissance mission the aircraft was hit by three bullits
- 150796: after multiple birdstrikes during the landing at Eindhoven (The Netherlands) the aircraft crashes. The complete belgian crew and 34 members of a dutch military band were tragically killed. Crew : Kapt.vl.Gigi Gielen (pilot), Lt.vl.Dimitri Vandereycken (co-pilot), 1Sgt.Maj.Horst Vomberg (flight engineer), 1Sgt.Chef.Guy Verdonckt (loadmaster)
Collection Laurent Heyligen
CH-07 c/n 382-4476 callsign BAF07 ex 71-1803
- 250173: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 7,10 hrs)
- 000173: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000792: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000494: damaged during operation 'Silver Back' in Ruanda. During the evacation of foreigners the aicraft was hit by a cooling-cart (2 x 2 x 6 m) that came loose from its tractor at the airport of Nairobi (Kenia)
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Kleine Brogel 260805 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-08 c/n 382-4478 callsign BAF08 ex 71-1804
- 010273: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 7,40 hrs)
- 000273: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Sqauadron
- 000791: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 231192: damage to the nosegear during the landing at Mogadishu-West (Somalia). It was temporarily repaired on 241192 and flown to Mombasa (Kenia) for complete repair, the aircraft was back operational on 261192 (crew : Vankeirsbilck, Nijs, Brandt, Delfiérre, Verdonckt)
- 001195: to Sabena Technics for cockpitmodernisation (2nd aircraft)
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Melsbroek 280902 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-09 c/n 382-4479 callsign BAF09 ex 71-1805
- 010373: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 8,35 hrs)
- 000373: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000491: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Kleine Brogel 200705 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-10 c/n 382-4481 callsign BAF10 ex 71-1806
- 050373: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 7,50 hrs)
- 000373: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000588: noted in white colorscheme for Red Cross deployment in Africa
- 001190: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 141190: officially handed over to Belgian Air Force after outer wing replacement (1st aircraft)
- 000706: first noted with Defence logo on tail in stead of Belgian Flag
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Beauvechain 010906 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-11 c/n 382-4482 callsign BAF11 ex 71-1807
- 020473: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 8,50 hrs)
- 000473: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000592: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 000706: first noted with Defence logo on tail in stead of Belgian flag
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Beauvechain 010906 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-12 c/n 382-4483 callsign BAF12 ex 71-1808
- 020473: handed over to Belgian Air Force (tt 5,55 hrs)
- 060473: delivered Melsbroek and taken on charge by 15 Wing - 20 Squadron
- 000290: noted in white colorscheme for Red Cross-deployement to Africa
- 000591: first noted in grey colorscheme after outer wing replacement
- 001106: active with 15 Transport Wing - Tactical Transport Flight, Melsbroek
Koksijde 010706 - Photo Laurent Heyligen (c)
CH-13 c/n 382- 4047 (Former C-130E N130EV) Ex 64-0552
- 080407: Ferried to Brussels
- 191208: first flight from Melsbroek after refurbishment by Sabena Technics as CH-14
- 060309: delivered to 15W
- 070309: reserialled as CH-13
- 170309: officially handed over to Belgian Defence
080309 Melsbroek - Collection D.Lamarque
CH-14 c/n 382- 4047 (Former C-130E N130EV) Ex 64-0552
- 080407: Ferried to Brussels
- 191208: first flight from Melsbroek after refurbishment by Sabena Technics.
- 070309: reserialled as CH-13
Zaventem (Sabena Technics) 120109 - Photo Gérard Gaudin (c)
Melsbroek 060309 - Photo Dirk Lamarque ©
