Mysterieuze fotos van SV-

Both V20 and V36 were sold to Canadian pilots or aero clubs. V20 was plane nr 1162 and received the Canadian immatriculation SLN02, V36 was plane nr 1178 and received immatriculation SLN01.

On this picture you see the plane that got nr SLN02. When we look to the detail photo of the tail we can read the nr of the plane : 1178 ! But this plane was sold as SLN01... Were the planes switched or are the data we still can consult wrong ?

Is it possible that the SLN02’s rudder has been damaged and replaced by the SLN01’s one ??Or, when re-assembling the two aircrafts in Canada, is it possible that someone put the wrong rudder on the SLN02 ?

By chance I was looking at this part of the Stampe website and found your photo and mystery question. I am the current owner of Stampe V20, now registered C-GSLN, which I purchased from the estate of a deceased owner 5 years ago. The airplane is now based at a grass aerodrome near Calgary Alberta, and is painted bright red with yellow stripes. As the airplane was painted during overhaul some 20 years ago, and recovered with fabric there is no chance of any numbers remaining on the tail.

My understanding from the logbook and discussions with the Canadian jet fighter pilot who originally purchased V20 from auction sale in 1971 was that this airplane had registration SLN02, the SLN referring to the Baden Soelingen RCAF base at the time. Several of these F104 pilots bought Stampes, which ultimately became shipped back to Canada in the hold of C130 Hercules transports as settlers effects. Military fighter pilots didn`t get much pay, but some benefits such as free moves. The photo of SLN02 which you have published on the website must have been taken at Baden Soelingen to have that prominent SLN02 registration showing. If the rudders were ever exchanged it would have happened at the base in Germany, because as these pilots were transferred out at different times the airplanes went to various locations in Canada-my V20 initially being flown by C130 to Cold Lake Alberta.

I was told that because the Baden Soelingen base had nuclear weapons at that time, no photos were allowed of my airplane near F104`s. I am curious about the picture you published-the fuselage covering almost looks to be camouflage painted-not the overall trainer orange seen on Belgian air force.

Clark Seaborn (owner of this SV-4B V20) (08/01/12)

I have finally cleared up a couple of mysteries on the Stampes sold to the Baden Sollingen flying club NATO pilots. One big error discovered fom V20 and V36 log books- my V20 was actually SLN 01, V36 was SLN 02. Perhaps this may clear up some mysteries in your photo files too.

(database V20 changed with this information)

Email : info@sv4b.be

Unknown colors of unknown SV-4B

On these pictures you see an unknown SV-4B in the colors of a French bi-plane during WWII, or a French bi-plane during WWI (the Spad of Guynemer - les Cygognes ?). The painting could be done in the late fifties for documentary on the Belgian French speaking Television. Photos have been taken on the airfield of Chièvres (Belgium), probably in the sixties (because next to the plane V65, in Les Manchots painting, is parked). The plane is an SV-4B because the rail of the canopy can be seen. The front seat is closed.

(c) CollectionAELR/Brussels Air Luseum

Very remarkabel is the fact that the left side of the fuselage has another painting than the right side. This indicates the plane can indeed been used in a film or documentary production. We try to find out which SV-4B we see here and when and why it was painted in this colors.

Yves Duwelz :

"About the SV4B in the colors of a French fighter of WWI. That was done for the TV documentary "Le Journal de la grande guerre - 1964-1968" made by the Belgian cineast Selim Sasson."

Ludo Peleman (67B Promotion) :

"In 1967, I was student pilot in Goetsenhoven (67B promotion) and flew on SV-4 bis. My instructor was Lt-Pilot Christiaens.
In the autumn of that year for a RTBF (Begian French TV station) documentary, 4 SV-4B's were provided with English signs and 4 with German signs. I don't remeber if they were completely repainted. By the english a dive attack had be carried out on the antagonists who flew nicely in formation.

These were then shot down whereupon they in vrille dropped down completely with black smoke which was produced by a smoke pot which were fixed at the undercariage.
The excercises were carried out by the normal orange airplanes, flown by instructors and where we, student pilots, sat in the first cockpit. I have wunderfull pictures of this "attacks" taken secretly from the air. I cannot however remind myself that in this attack also French SV4bis took part. Maybe this plane was used for another take in the same documentary."

If you want to react on this appeal please use as mailsubject : Colors

Email : info@sv4b.be

Why was SV-4B V29 registration OO-GWR changed in OO-GWB

In 1972 SV-4B V29 was bought by Storck Company. Four persons of the company gave the first letter of their names for the civil registration code : OO- G (Guy) W (Willy) R (René & Roland). On 16 january 1976, pilot Guy Vanderlinden flew the airplane with this registration, OO-GWR, from the military airfield of Koksyde to the civil airfield St-Denijs Westrem. Once there and till today, this SV-4B V29 flies with the registration OO-GWB. No one knows why the original registration has been changed in OO-GWB.

SV-4B V29 with registration OO-GWR on 16/01/1976 airfield Koksyde.

Vintage photo of SV-4B V29, now with registration OO-GWB

Minnebo - 19/07/2008 (one of the original owners of this plane)

I was told in the 1970's that the OO-GWR registration was quickly changed into OO-GWB because there was an issue with the availability of OO-GWR, and Storck Aviation was asked by the authorities to change the registration. To keep the paintwork to a minimum, a new registration was picked that was close to the existing one, hence the "R" was changed into the "B". Pictures from that period show that the B is a modified R. Nice to see this plane is still flying.

If you want to react on this appeal please use as mailsubject : OO-GWB

Email : info@sv4b.be

Pilot of SV-4B V19 wearing an unusual helmet and mask

On 12 september 1969 pilot Hubert Sermon took this picture of SV-4B V19 at the military airport of Bierset. The plane was flown by pilot Harry Raes. Unusual is the helmet and the mask the pilot is wearing. Normally no oxygene mask was worn in the SV-4B. This helmet can also be seen on a picture of SV-4B V26. Has anyone more information about the mask and the helmet ?.

Eric Vormezeele (former BAF pilot and airplane collector) :

The helmet is a Belgian variant of the French gueneau helmet, worn by the paratroops. It was in use in the Belgian Air Force at the end of 1969.

Danny Cabooter (former BAF pilot, SV-4B owner, and president of the SV museum) :

The mask is not an oxygene mask as this was not optional in the SV-4B planes. The mask only has a microphone to avoid noices of wind and engine when flying with an open canopy. The same mask is still used by pilots that fly Spitfires today.

If you want to react on this appeal please use as mailsubject : Helmet

Email : info@sv4b.be

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