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Red DevilsIn the beginning of the 1950's plans arose for an aerobatic team. Cpt Bobby Bladt, CO of 350 in Beauvechain obtained official permission in 1951 and a team was formed. The first team consisted of Bladt, De Wulf, Ongena and Deprins and was named "the Acrobobs" after their leader. Flying with Meteor F8 they displayed their aircraft on shows all over Europe. In 1952 they won the French award for best display team. Maj. Ewans, leader of the american Skyblazers team even called them "the best team I ever saw in Europe". In 1957 the team moved to Chièvres and left their meteors for the new Hawker Hunter.  1959 saw a change of name when the team changed from "acrobobs" to "Red Devils". Meanwhile the team kept on growing to 9 aircraft and one time even 16 aircraft. After 6 years the Hunters were taken out of service in 1963. This also saw the end of the Red Devils as its sucessor the F-104 was not suited for a big aerobatic team. |
In
1965 Maj. Dewaelheyns recruited some of his fellow instructor pilots
and resurected the team. Although
being a little underpowered the Fouga was chosen as it was the only
suitable aircraft for the display team. In 1965 the new Red Devils
were scheduled to make their first appearance but a month before the
first show Cpt. Van D'helzen crashed during a routine training and
was killed. He was replaced by Lt. Fagnoul who would normally fly
the solo. Lt. Wim Van Meerten, a dutch instructor became the team's
back-up pilot. Members of the old Red Devils and mechanics designed
a smoke system and assisted with technical advice. The first show
was given on 27 june 1965 in Brustem, The first foreign show in St.
Mawgan (GB). In 1966 back-up pilot Kpt. Van Meerten became the second
solo of the team, making it a team of 4 aircraft and 2 solo's. That
year also saw some other changes. Dewaelheyns went to the airforce
staff, Cpt. Lelotte went to Beauvechain, Van Meerten went back to
the Netherlands and Delbecke also transferred to another base. 
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In
1967 the team moved to Beauvechain. Unfortunatly on may 11 that year
Cpt. Braken died in a crash. Cpt. Lelotte came back to the Devils
to replace him and became a solo. On the 20th of may 1968 during a
final training for the national airshow Cpt. Malpas crashed on the
runway and was mortally wounded. The show went on the next day in
his memory with only 5 aircraft.
In 1970 the Devils flew with 6 aircraft and 2 back-ups. Because of the oil-crisis the team was reduced to 2 aircraft in 1972. In 1973 a third aircraft was added and Cdt. Van Essche left the devils after 6 years of wich 3 as leader. In 1974 the team went back to 6 aircraft. In 1977 the team celebrated their 25th anniversary but it would be their final year as the AF staff decided to disban the Devils. Some hoped to see the team convert to Alpha-jet but this never happened,Thus ending the history of our national display team. |
This part of the site is still a work in progress. For a list of airshows the Devils participated in, go to the next page. A great site about their flightgear can be found here |