The refurbishing of the 1st floor is going according to plan. The displaycase for the new models Messerschmitt Bf.109 an Huricane is nearing completion. Meanwhile work has started on the display case for the W.W.II pilots (an Englishman, an American and a German, all three in original outfit)
At the same time, we are overhauling the photocollection on display, which will be presented in a uniform and more informative way. New techniques and a subsidy from Antwerp Town make this project happen. The first panel - depicting the airport's civil commanders - is already on display.
We also received some new objects:
- a pais of original flying glasses, worn by Commandant Vlieger Christiaens at the time when he was part of "Les Manchots", the Belgian Air force's SV4 acro team.
- a brass commemoration plaque ordered by the Aeroclub de Belgique at the time of the International Air Meet at Temse in 1912.

Our volunteers have started the refurbishing of the 1st floor. Over the next couple of weeks the collection will be re-arranged and some dummies in WW.II pilot's uniforms will be added to the collection. Together with these, a Hurricane and Messchermitt BF.109 will be put on display; both types have been based at Antwerp airport during the hostilities. Uniforms and models are on loan from Miel Keersmaekes.

The Aviation Society of Antwerp held her yearly Antwerp Aviation Fair in the museum's hangar. Some 250 people found their way to this event. Although the weather was freezing cold, everybody enjoyed the gathering and a lot of them went home with newly acquired 'treasures'...
A good many books, photo's and other trivia changed owners.
The Aviation Society of Antwerp wishes to thank the Stampe en Vertongen Museum and airport personnel for their assistance and cooperation.
 

As announced earlier the remains of a second V1 have now arrived at the museum.
Today some of our volunteers, assisted by the airport's fire brigade, have been collecting the remains at the City's warehouses.

VRT Canvas made some recordings of this event, for later use.
The different parts of the V1 are now on display in the museum's workshop.
We wish to thank the airport's management for their logistics assistance.

The Stampe and Vertongen Museum and the City of Antwerp have decided to put on display at the museum some pieces of a second V1 which were stored by the city's technical departments. This V1 was shot down during the war.
In the next few days this second V1 will be delivered at Antwerp Airport.
We'll keep you informed.

The airport's press centre was overflowing with people who came to see and hear Capt. Eric 'Winkle' Brown on Sunday morning. The most decorated pilot in the Royal Air Navy and holder of the record of flying the most different aircraft (490 different types) knew how to fascinate the public and keep them quiet for an hour and a half. Eric told us about the struggle for speed during and after the Second World War: the know-how of the Germans, the Engish catching up and in the end the Aericans who broke the soundbarrier for the first time.
This fantatastic 93 year old, saw and did it all, and is lucky to be able to tell about it.

From left to right : Standing : Danny Cabooter en Bob Rongé; Sitting: Eric 'Winkle' Brown, Dirk Buytaert en Tony De Bruyn. In the background: mrs. Brown en De Bruyn.