Royal Army Museum lands five new aircraft 01/04/2008 00:00

One of which is a Bristol Sycamore helicopter, the first generation of helicopters.

1 April 2008

BRUSSELS -The Royal Army Museum is adding five new aircraft to its collection in Brussels. The aircraft include a Bristol Sycamore helicopter.

The Bristol Sycamore is something of a catch and was only acquired after lengthy negotiations with the Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare in the UK.

The Helicopter Museum received a Belgian Alouette II in return.

The Sycamore belongs to the first generation of helicopters.

The other major acquisition is a replica of the Voisin-Farman that Baron de Carters used to fly the first flight in Belgium.

This historic flight occurred on 30 November 1908.

The new aircraft were presented to the press on Monday.

Army Museum officials also indicated that the hall that houses the aviation department of the museum is in need of urgent renovation.

The renovation still needs to be agreed with the government agency who owns the building. It remains unclear whether this part of the museum will have to close during the works.

The Royal Army Museum is located in the Jubelpark (Parc du Cinquantenaire) in Brussels.

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