Eight years ago, a truck maneuvering in air hall of the Royal Army Museum
damaged the nose of the preserved aircraft.
Although replacement parts were quickly obtained from the RAF Museum,
volunteers of the museum have now the possibility to repair the rare trainer on
the continent.
The Belgian Air Force acquired the first Oxford before World War two then
to train the future crews of twin engine aircraft then on order.
The Oxford was extensively used by the Air Forces of Commonwealth to train
bombers crews and for liaison duties.
After the war, the Belgian Air Force acquired 42 Oxford serving mostly with
the 15 Wing (Transport) but also to help the transition from single engine aircraft
to twin engine aircraft as the Meteor and as ack aircraft for fighter
squadrons. From 1955, the Belgian Oxfords were phased out but O-16 was preserved
thanks to the Belgian Air Force. The civil version of the Oxford, the Airspeed
Consul was also used in Congo by the Force Publique.
The aircraft is also mostly made of wood. Only 6 Oxford are known to be
preserved in the world and although less glamourous than a Spitfire, this
aircraft is a good example of the successful British trainers. Another rare gem
in the Brussels collection.
The volunteers also plan to correct the color of the aircraft adding the
missing yellow training bands.
Photo Philippe Levecq
