Belgian Helidays 2003

What started in 1998 with 15 helicopters from 5 different countries and 12.000 people visiting this event, has grown out to be the largest helicopter meeting in Europe. The sixth edition of the Belgian Helidays was held from 30 May until 1st of June and attracted 30.000 people. Target of the organization was to get more then 100 helicopters on static and flying display. They succeeded; 101 helicopters from 16 countries could be seen at Liege-Bierset during the Belgian Helidays. Again, the organization succeeded in getting very interesting helicopters this event. Good examples are the two Italian Air Force NH.500E's and the French participants. All the photographs are made during the arrival of the participants, on the Friday prior to the open days. If you want to see a report of the previous edition of the Belgian Helidays, take a look at the Belgian Helidays 2002 page. Compliments must be made to the people of the organization! I am looking forward to the seventh edition.

One of the higlights was the arrival of the two Italian Air Force NH.500E's. One of them, the MM81304/72-41, is seen here wearing KFOR markings. Both helicopters belong to 72 Stormo which is based at Frisinine near Rome.

Defenitely a highlight during the show was this AS.565MA Panther of the Aeronavale. This example, serial 318, belongs to Flotille 35F.

Still going strong! This SA.321G Super Frelon, serial 160, is still on duty after already 40 years of service within the Aeronavale (French Navy). The Super Frelon is assigned to Flotille 32F.

The French Army (Armée de Terre) came to the Helidays with this AS.555UN, serial 5608/ABL. The helicopter is seen here hovering above the taxiway. It belongs to Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat at Compiegne.

Not often seen, is this AS.355F2, 5156/F-ZBAD, from the Douanes Françaises.

The Slovak Air Force came to Belgium with 2 Mi-24Vs and two Mi-17 transport helicopters. Mi-17, 0826, is seen her touching down, while the other Mi-17, 0844, already stands on it's parking spot.

Mi-17, 0826, is seen here hovering.The Mi-17belongs to 3 Vrtulnikové Letecké Kridlo which based at Presov.

Mi-17, 0844, is painted in a different color scheme and is wearing SFOR-markings. This helicopter also belongs to 3VLK.

2 Divizion Lotnictwo Marinarskye Woyska (2 DLMW) came to Liege-Bierset with an Mil Mi-14PL, 1010. Last year 2 DLMW came to Belgium with the 1011. You can see a picture of that helicopter on the Belgian Helidays 2002 page.

While the Polish Navy uses the Mil Mi-14PL for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) tasks, the Royal Navy use the Merlin HMP.1 for this task. 824 Squadron came to Belgium with the ZH854/CU-580, which is seen here taxiing.

Another British participant is this Grifin HT.1, ZJ242/E, from the RAF Defence Helicopter Flying School. This example, as well as the Dutch participant (see blow), is build by Agusta as an AB.412.

Several variants of the Ecureuil were present during the Belgain Helidays. Beside of the French participants, the Royal Air Force came with an AS.355F1, ZJ140, from 32 (TR) Squadron.

In the past years the Royal Navy always came to the Belgian helidays with the Lynx demo. Seen here are two Lynx HAS3S helicopters during a demo. Both helicopters, XZ248/638 and ZD254, belong to 702 Squadron

The Royal Netherlands Air Force came to the Helidays with an AS.532U2 Cougar, a Bo-105, a CH-47D Chinook and an AB-412SP helicopter. This Agusta AB-412SP, serial R-02, just arrived on its spot. Three of these helicopters, nicknamed "Tweety", are in active duty with 303 Squadron which is based at Leeuwarden AB. Note the red-coloured rotorblade. only one of the rotorblades is painted in red. This increases the visibility for other aircrew that might fly in the surrounding of this helicopter.

Also still going strong. This UH-1D of LTG61, 71+74, is seen here on the flightline.

Agusta A.109HA, H35, is seen here in front of a shelter, ready for take off...

...While the H41 is still waiting for the pilot to bring it to the static.