Museum

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Our Museum!

By that, we mean:

  • Our staff
  • Our exhibition space
  • Our documentation center
  • Our aircraft collection
  • Our shop
  • Our cafeteria
  • And… last but not least: our member magazine, DAKOTA News

Our Staff!

We are an organization fueled by the enthusiasm of a large number of staff, from energetic fifty-year-olds to sprightly ninety-year-olds. Many have, at some point in their lives, been connected with the Air Force or, more specifically, with the 15th Wing. Others are simply so passionate about aviation history and air transport, along with everything related, that they joined us willingly!

Our association thrives thanks to the dedication of our valued team members!

Our Fascinating Exhibition Space

There’s plenty to see in our museum. Here’s a glimpse of the materials on display!

The collection includes a vast number of displays with richly documented information on:

  • the history of the airfield,
  • the aircraft that have flown here in the past and still fly today,
  • the missions for which these aircraft have been deployed,
  • and much more…

It also features:

  • scale models of aircraft and life-size cockpits,
  • various manuals and technical documentation,
  • mannequins dressed in military uniforms, insignia, gear, and headwear,
  • numerous aircraft parts, other artifacts, and military memorabilia, often accompanied by informative descriptions,
  • countless photos…
In this exhibition space, you will be welcomed and guided by our passionate guides, who will immediately take you on an engaging and educational journey filled with personal experiences and anecdotes!
The Documentation Center


Here, we collect, edit, preserve, and digitize documents and photos from the 15 Wing archive since its founding in 1947. These documents pertain to the daily life of the Wing, including missions and operations both domestically and abroad, food drops during famine in cooperation with humanitarian organizations, evacuation of citizens during civil unrest, disaster assistance, royal travels, receptions of foreign dignitaries, and much more.
We also preserve, among other things, the handwritten “Logbooks,” which record who carried out each mission, when, and to where. Additionally, the technical documentation for all aircraft types ever flown by the 15 Wing is maintained here and available for consultation.

This center provides information and documentation to individuals interested in studying the history of our unit, such as students from various Defense training centers like the Royal Military Academy (KMS) or other interested parties.




**Note:** This part of the museum is not accessible to visitors except when accompanied by a member of the DAKOTA team.

**Our Aircraft Collection**

Currently, we have a well-curated and diverse collection of five different aircraft types, housed at two separate locations.

Near our museum, you can view our most recent additions: the Boeing 727 and the iconic C-130 Hercules. Only the nose section of both aircraft, along with part of the fuselage for the C-130, are on display. Through a combination of partially authentic and partially reproduced parts (including 3D printing), visitors can experience fully equipped cockpits.

The cargo area of the C-130 has been meticulously reconstructed down to the finest details, thanks to the dedication of one of our team members, a passionate former loadmaster.




At the second location, visitors will find three additional aircraft: the C-119 Flying Boxcar, the Percival P.66 Pembroke, and the DC3 Dakota.




More specific details and information about these aircraft can be found in the “Aircraft” section of this website.
The Restore Team

Maintaining this collection is a demanding task, carried out with great dedication by the “Restore Team,” a group of enthusiastic team members who continuously demonstrate their love for the 15 Wing, especially the displayed aircraft.
One day, you might find them in the tool room; today, they may be poring over technical manuals; and tomorrow, you’re likely to see them with paint and brushes, giving yet another part of an aircraft a fresh layer of protective coating!
In recent years, their focus has mainly been on conserving the DC3 and the Pembroke, while currently, most of their attention is on the C-119.

  
The most recent project undertaken by the “Restore Team” is the restoration of the cockpit of our DA900.
Here are photos of team members working on an aircraft.

  



**Our Shop**

We offer a selection of books, DVDs, pins, stickers, badges, and more—all related to the 15 Wing and its aviation activities. Below, you’ll find a sample of our offerings, though availability and stock may vary over time.
  
  
Note: These items are only available for purchase in the shop and unfortunately not online.
DVD Selection:
“Gentle Giants – 15th Wing, Home of the Belgian Military Air Transport” – a tribute to the unit’s personnel. Original 1992, remake 2023. Price: €30.
“C-130 Hercules, The Last Salute” – a tribute to the unit’s legendary workhorse. Price: €30.
Purchase both DVDs for €49.
Book Selection:
Lijst-boeken-DAKOTA-shop-

Our Cafeteria

The cafeteria is open during the museum’s visiting hours, typically every Monday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here, you can relax and discuss your visit over a coffee, soft drink, or beer!

For more information, please check the “Visit Us” tab.

Our Member Magazine – Dakota News!

See the “Archive” tab for access to issues from previous years.