Brussels Air Museum: An Outdated Presentation Of An Incredible Collection!
- Kris Christiaens
- Nov 16, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
If you are looking for an overall view of Belgian civil and military aviation, then the Brussels Air Museum is the perfect place for you. This museum, housed in a gigantic hall that is part of the impressive Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels, presents an impressive collection of vintage aircraft, transport planes, warbirds, fighter planes, and helicopters that once played a role in Belgian aviation. Unfortunately, the hall in which the collection is housed has been in a state of disrepair for many years, and due to much-needed renovation work, the collection is no longer fully visible or accessible. In addition, this museum lacks a significant attractiveness factor. Many aircraft are in poor condition (everything is very dirty and almost all the planes on the ground have flat tires), and due to the large number of aircraft in the hall, not everything is displayed in an attractive and elegant manner. In some places, the related information signs are no longer readable due to their age, and some parts of this hall are used as storage space instead of a museum, which is a huge detraction to its beautiful collection of aircraft.
The Brussels Air Museum at the aviation hall is not a freestanding institution but the aeronautical heart of Belgium’s Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, itself part of the War Heritage Institute (the national body for military heritage and remembrance). The royal military museum dates back to the early twentieth century and was installed in the Cinquantenaire complex after World War I; the Aviation Hall, housed in one of the park’s vast metal-and-glass halls originally built in the late 19th century, became a dedicated aviation gallery in the early 1970s. The venue’s heritage, a monumental “machine gallery” that hosted industrial exhibits, fairs and early aviation displays, is still very much part of the experience: you’re not just looking at planes, you’re standing inside a piece of exhibition history. Over the decades the museum used an active acquisition and exchange policy to build one of Europe’s more varied public collections: today the aviation hall of the Brussels Air Museum displays well over a hundred aircraft, plus dozens of engines, cockpits, models and aviation artifacts that together illustrate the technical and human story of flight.
Headliners
Caravelle in the sky One of the most outstanding aircraft in this enormous hall, and the one that most captures the imagination, is the impressive Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle (OO-SRA) jet airliner from the former Belgian airline Sabena. This particular Caravelle was delivered to SABENA in 1961 and remained in their fleet until 1974. Rather than sitting on the floor, the Caravelle is mounted on metal pylons, giving it a striking, elevated presence within the aviation hall. The aviation hall also houses a separate exhibition where you can learn all about Sabena and the rich history of this Belgian airline.
The beautiful Caravelle jet airliner of Sabena - Credit: Kris Christiaens Flying Boxcar
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar is one of the most iconic transport aircraft of the Cold War era. Developed from the earlier C-82 Packet, the C-119 first flew in 1947 and became widely used for military transport, paratroop operations, and humanitarian missions. Belgium acquired a significant number of these aircraft: through a combination of new-build and surplus U.S. aircraft, the Belgian Air Force operated a fleet of around 40 C-119s (both F and G variants) between the early 1950s and the early 1970s. In Belgian service, these Boxcars belonged to the 15th Wing based at Melsbroek, and they carried out a wide range of roles: troop transport, cargo delivery, paratrooper drops, and humanitarian missions. They played a very important role during the decolonization period for evacuation missions, such as during the independence of the Congo. At the Brussels Air Museum, you can admire the Flying Boxcar (OT-CEH) at the back of the hall and even walk through it.
The Fairchild F-119 Flying Boxcar - Credit: Kris Christiaens Belgian fighter jets
What makes this aviation museum so attractive and special is its impressive collection of fighter planes that were once used by the Belgian Air Force. If you want to admire a Gloster Meteor, Hawker Hunter, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, Dassault Mirage 5BA, and even an F-16A Fighting Falcon up close, you've come to the right place.
The Gloster Meteor of the Belgian Air Force - Credit: Kris Christiaens 
The Hawker Hunter of the Belgian Air Force in 'Red Devils' colors - Credit: Kris Christiaens Helicopters
Aviation lovers with a passion for helicopters will also find plenty to enjoy in this museum. You can admire the Westland WS-61 Sea King Mk.48 and the Sikorsky HSS-1 rescue helicopters from up close and see an Agusta A-109BA and a Sud SE-313B Alouette II that were once part of the Belgian army on the first floor of the aviation hall. The fact that you can see all these aircraft with a rich history standing together makes this collection truly unique and rare. For Cold War lovers, there is also an impressive Mil Mi-24 ‘Hind’ attack helicopter in this museum.
The Sikorsky HSS-1 search and rescue helicopter - Credit: Kris Christiaens 
A Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter - Credit: Kris Christiaens From fabric-and-wood machines to all-metal fighters In the aviation hall, you will find not only modern fighter planes but also a huge collection of aircraft from the early days of aviation and airplanes that played an important role in the two world wars. Walking among the WWI and WWII aircraft at the Brussels Aviation Museum is like stepping into the memories of the 20th century. Fragile biplanes whisper of the birth of flight, while the steel fighters of the 1940s roar with the intensity of global war. Each aircraft is a monument not only to technology but to the men who built them, flew them, fought in them, and sometimes died in them. Unfortunately, the area where the World War I aircraft are on display has been closed for a long time due to the poor condition of the building and the associated renovation work.
The Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber of the US Air Force - Credit: Kris Christiaens Arctic workhorse
One of the hidden treasures in this museum's collection is the De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter with registration OO-SUD. This particular plane was used in 1959 and 1960 during Belgian expeditions to the South Pole and was transported there in crates. There, this aircraft was used for numerous logistical and scientific tasks. At this museum the OO-SUD is equipped with skis. These were also used on the ice of Antarctica. Near this aircraft, there is also a separate exhibition where you can learn all about the Belgian South Pole expeditions.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter OO-SUD - Credit: Kris Christiaens Cold War area
A somewhat unusual and special aircraft in the aviation hall is the MiG-23BN, designed and built by the Soviet Union. This particular MiG-23BN originally served with the Egyptian Air Force after it was sold by Egypt to the USAF and eventually ended up in Belgium. It entered the Brussels Air Museum collection in 2007. Together with the Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter, the MiG-23BN is part of a Cold War section in the museum, as these aircraft and helicopters were always feared in the West during the Cold War.
The Soviet designed MiG-23BN fighter aircraft - Credit: Kris Christiaens
Overview of most important aircraft and helicopters on display
Agusta A-109BA (Belgian Army)
Airspeed AS-10 Oxford I (Belgian Air Force)
Avro Canada CF-100 Canuk Mk.5 (Canadian Air Force)
Dassault Mirage 5BA (Belgian Air Force)
De Havilland D.H. 89 Dragon Rapide (LAC)
De Havilland D.H. 98 Mosquito (Belgian Air Force)
Dornier Do-27J (Belgian Army)
Douglas A-26B Invader (US Air Force)
Douglas C-47B Skytrain (Belgian Air Force)
Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar (Belgian Air Force)
Fouga CM-170R Magister (Belgian Air Force)
General Dynamics F-16A (Belgian Air Force)
Gloster Meteor F8 (Belgian Air Force)
Hawker Hunter F4 (Belgian Air Force)
Junkers Ju 52
Lockheed F-104G Starfighter (Belgian Air Force)
Lockheed T-33A (Belgian Air Force)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN (Russian Air Force)
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (Belgian Air Force)
Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (Belgian Air Force)
Republic F-84G Thunderjet (Belgian Air Force)
Sikorsky HSS-1 (Belgian Air Force)
Sud SE-210 Caravelle (Sabena)
Sud SE-313B Alouette II (Belgian Army)
Supermarine Spitfire (Belgian Air Force)
Westland WS-61 Sea King Mk.48 (Belgian Air Force)
Why visiting this museum?
Despite the condition of this impressive iron-and-glass hall and the state of the aircraft on display, a visit to the Brussels Air Museum is definitely worthwhile. The huge collection of airplanes and helicopters takes you through many important periods in Belgian aviation history. Beyond aviation, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History tells the full story of Belgium’s military past through immersive exhibits, original vehicles, uniforms, weapons, and personal artifacts that bring history to life in a vivid, human way. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a history lover, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience in Brussels, this museum offers a rich and memorable journey through more than a century of technological innovation and historic events. If you enjoy visiting modern museums with lots of technological gadgets and shiny, well-maintained aircraft, you will be very disappointed when you leave here. Fortunately, however, the Brussels Air Museum does not rely on its old building or interior design alone, but also on its impressive collection, which still captures the imagination.
Practical tips
Visiting the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History is much more enjoyable if you keep a few practical tips in mind. It’s best to arrive early, as the museum is far bigger than it appears from the outside and the aviation hall alone can take well over an hour to explore. Wearing comfortable shoes is essential, because the galleries stretch across long distances and the aircraft displays occupy a vast open space. Because the aviation hall is a large glass-roofed structure, it can feel cool on cloudy or winter days, so bringing a light jacket can make your visit more comfortable. Taking photos of the impressive collection in this museum is anything but easy. Parts are scattered around almost all of the aircraft and helicopters, obstructing the view, and due to the large number of aircraft, they are not always well positioned or easy to photograph. Inside the aviation hall, there is the Sky Café where you can have a drink, and there is also a large shop where they sell numerous books about aviation, tanks and military history.
Transportation tips
Car: The museum’s address is Parc du Cinquantenaire 3, 1000 Brussels. This puts you in the heart of the Cinquantenaire (Jubelpark), a major Brussels landmark. Parking on the Cinquantenaire esplanade (right beside the Museum building) is no longer allowed for general visitors. There are paid public parking spaces around the perimeter of the park.
Public transport: Reaching the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels by public transport is easy, as the museum is located in the heart of Parc du Cinquantenaire (Jubelpark), one of the city’s most accessible landmarks. The simplest way to get there is by metro. The closest station is Merode, served by metro lines 1 and 5. From the station, it is only a short five- to seven-minute walk: you simply follow the signs toward the park, enter through the main gates, and head straight toward the triumphal arch that dominates the centre of Cinquantenaire. A second option is to use Schuman station, also served by metro lines 1 and 5, and located near the European Quarter. The walk from Schuman takes about ten minutes. Several bus routes run directly to the area as well. Buses 22, 27, 61, and 80 all stop near Merode or Gaulois, leaving you just a short stroll from the museum entrance.
Cycling: Reaching the museum by bicycle is one of the most pleasant ways to arrive, especially since the museum is located inside the spacious and green Parc du Cinquantenaire. Brussels has an expanding network of cycling paths, and many of them lead directly toward the European Quarter, making the museum easy to access on two wheels.
Text & photos: Kris Christiaens