I
do not think it is necessary to have a long historic talk about the
Mirage V in Belgium as all the Belgian Air Force enthusiasts know
this history and moreover, a splendid book was published by the MPA
(Mirage Pilot Association) under the lead of Marcel
"Celle" De Petter, where you can find all you have always
willing to know.
Although, a
little refresh is needed to set the presentation of the BD-09 and
her anniversary paint sheme:
The first
example delivered to the Belgian Air Force on June 29th, 1970, was a
two-seater marked BD-01. Florennes Air Base was the first home base
of this Dassault delta aircraft.
A few years before, the Belgian authorities had signed an agreement
for the purchase of a total of 106 aircraft, in three versions: 63
Mirage VBA (A for attack), 27 Mirage VBR (R for Reconnaisance) and
16 Mirage VBD (D for 'double'-seat).
In 1988 a modernization program was launched called MIRSIP, for
Mirage Safety Improvement Program. Unfortunately the Belgian
government decided to withdraw the complete fleet of aircraft from
service also including a couple of upgraded aircraft. The career of
the delta winged aircraft in Belgium ended in 1994 and 25 aircraft
were sold to Chile.
A complete overview of this program can be found in our pages
through the link: MIRSIP,
the end of the delta in Belgium
To mark the Mirage's 50th anniversary in Belgium, the preserved
Mirage V BD-09, received a special decoration that was unveiled on
Saturday, August 29th, 2020 at the Limburg Regional Airport, former
Brustem airbase. Thanks to the imagination, the dynamism of the
BD-09 preservation team and the support of Grafityp (Special
stickers maker) the aircraft received a removable decoration
emphasizing on the 50 anniversary and the four squadrons that used
the famous delta winged aircraft (1 Sqn "Stingers", 2 Sqn
"Comet", 8 Sqn "Blue Cocotte" and 42 Sqn
"Mephisto").
Mirage 5BD BD-09 was acquired by a group of enthusiasts in early
2018 and the team has restored the aircraft to static condition. We
have to underline that the aircraft now is a real jewell.
Have a look at our page regarding the arrival and a short history of
the BD-09: Delta
back home
Thanks to this team, many photographers, too young to have known the
Mirage era in Belgium, have on regular basis the possibility to
picture the aircraft in real good condition, almost like it was in
the "good operational past times". They organize
photoshoots, day or night, like professional for the great pleasure
of all aged photographers and this team deserves to be supported by
everyone thorugh paying them a little visit during their open-doors.
Make a virtual flight (simply amazing) or buy some gadgets and other
badges, the Delta God will give plenty back to you!
Have also a look at the wonderful night shoot organized by the BD-09
dream team: Like
a Pin-Up
Time now to present the BD-09 and her party dress… Happy Birthday
Mirza... good show BD-09 preservation team, you are the best! |
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The
special 50 years decoration |
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1970...I
remember the first delta's in the Air Force |
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Who
is sexy? |
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The
tail with squadron colours on the right side
and the golden stripes and special logo on the left side |
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The
fabulous four (squadron of the Belgian Air Force equipped with the
Mirage V) |
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Half
a century and and still so attractive |
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The
aviation photographer dream..."The" backseat ! |
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In
front of the doors of his new home, The Brustem Droneport complex |
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The
team's little mobile shop, always enough to exchange some euros ;-) |
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The
beauty and the main gate... |
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What
a team! Passion, kindness and friendship are their leitmotif |
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And
to top it off they have a keen sense of humor |
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