Important note
Photos provided on this website are not an endorsement of any political idea or of war. War is one of the most regrettable human activities.
All photos on this page are copyright Robert Mary and may only be reproduced with their express permission. You may contact me here
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 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.