Museum of Military History

What is this museum about ?

The main purpose of the IWHC (First Wing Historical Centre) is to evoke the history of Beauvechain air base since 1935 and especially the history of the Fighter Squadrons between 1946 and 1996.

This small museum was able to obtain some damaged aircraft but they have been restored and are on display. Also on display are some aircraft engines and service vehicles. The Centre also remember Brustem air base as well as Goetsenhoven air base, both recently closed.

History of the Air Base

The official name of Beauvechain air base is "Base Charles. ROMAN".

Wing Commander Charles ROMAN died in action whithin command of six squadrons.

Between 1946 and 1996 the first Fighter Wing operated the following aircraft: Spitfire, Mosquito, four different types of Meteor, the Hunter, CF-IOO, F-104 and F-16.42nd Recce Squadron. operating the RF-84F, has also been located on the air base for about three year.

The first Fighter Wing started with the 349 and 350 Squadrons, both during WWII, with Belgian pilots, within the RAF.

Since 1996 elementary pilot training as well as advanced pilot training take place at Beauvechain AB. The weather service "Meteo Wing" also moved from the Brussels suburbs to Beauvechain.

Museum collection

The museum includes the following sections:

1. Aircrafts: Meteor, Hunter, RF-84F, F-I04G, F-16A, Mirage V, SF-260M,Mig21.

2. Diorama of a F- 104G

3. Memory hall:
- The "Aeronautique Militaire";
- WWII, German occupation;
- The RCAF and USAAF era;
- The other halls evoke a.o. the different aircraft operated by the 1st Fighter Wing as well as the different squadrons 4th, l0th, llth,349th, 350th and the Auxiliary Squadron;
- The "Meteo Wing" in the past.

4. The Elementary Flying School at Goetsenhoven AB.

5. 9th Training Wing at Brustem AB.
- Radio and Radar équipaient;
- Military pigeons;
- Dioramas conceming nuclear protection, airfield defense, Air Traffic Control;
- Ground support équipment and service vehicles.;
- A reproduction of a Pilots' Dispersal;
- Aircraft engines: from piston to jet.

The official website of the 1st Wing Historical Centre stands here.

Museum's staff (three persons) can be contacted here, there and there.

Associated websites stand here, there and also the Tourism Centre.

Location

Museum address:
First Wing Historical Centre Base Charles ROMAN
1Wing Rue Longue B-1320 BEAUVECHAIN

Open on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of'each month between 13.30 and 18.00 hr.
Also open by appointment
Phone nr: +32 (0) 10.23.22.02.
There is no entrance fee and free toilets are present..

The 1WHC was founded by "The Golden Falcon" an association of Retired Airmen.

Coming by car is mandatory due to the location of the barracks.

Personal note

Volunteers under the leadership of Colonel Avi BEM FONTAINE, Commander of 1st fighter Wing drew up the Historical Centre in 1997, it opened in February 1998. They were helped by the Belgian Air Force.

In November 2008 they transferred a Hawker Hunter near the Chièvres Air Base in Mons.
You will also discover real wolves (the mascot of the 1st Wing) in the base.
Aircrafts are not remaining outside, they are brought back to hangars.

It is quite an interesting museum with an affordable price (it's entirly free!), you can purchase souvenirs at a lower cost if you compare with other museums (a T-shirt is € 4 whereas elsewhere it costs € 10 to 15).
There are many things to see, plan at least a two hours visit.

The museum is located at 1 hour from Liège, note "rue Longue" in your GPS otherwise it will not be easy to locate it (only the official museum's website mentions this street name).

Be aware that you enter a military zone, note that the sole personel is composed of museum people and training pilots.
The museum is also the HQ of the Air Models Club, a club of enthusiasts making scale models.