Brussels - 21-07-19

[FredL]

At around 4:15 PM, rehearsal for the National Day in Belgium took place over Brussels.
The fly-by should be opened by Spitfire XVI "OO-XVI" flanked by F-16s.
For the rest, no more Alpha-Jets, nor Sea Kings...
Embraer 120 (French air force) and the rest as usual.

[thiel03]

Hi Guys,

What would be the best location to photograph the flypast on the 21st?
Any tips and tricks from people who went there in the past are very appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[FredL]

Hi Guys,

What would be the best location to photograph the flypast on the 21st?
Any tips and tricks from people who went there in the past are very appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

A good place is either on Cinquantenaire square (where you'll be able to watch the incoming aircraft from very far and therefore get ready on time) or on the first leg of avenue de Tervueren (around Merode square, or anywhere between Cinquantenaire sq. and Montgomery square).

[thiel03]

Thanks for the great feedback!

[fabke]

Hi Guys,

What would be the best location to photograph the flypast on the 21st?
Any tips and tricks from people who went there in the past are very appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

A good place is either on Cinquantenaire square (where you'll be able to watch the incoming aircraft from very far and therefore get ready on time) or on the first leg of avenue de Tervueren (around Merode square, or anywhere between Cinquantenaire sq. and Montgomery square).

Not sure about Cinquantenaire as you'll be under the aircraft which is not so interesting for photographers...

In the past I stood in front of the "Justitiepaleis" on the Poelaertplein , you can see them arriving from km's away as this is one of the highest points of Brussels , you can photograph them easily with a 300-400mm lens on their way to the Royal Palace , at that place there is often a Police helicopter on static display which takes off mostly at 6-7pm

Another good point should be in the surroundings of the highway parking at Groot-Bijgaarden or the Robert Dansaertlaan @ Dilbeek , exit Sint-Agatha Berchem , look for an open space along this "boulevard" and you'll be able to see the whole bunch of aircraft passing low. Good luck!

Greetz,
Fabke

[FredL]

The second rehearsal took place this afternoon. I went to Poelaertplein, in front of the Court of Justice's building.
Good place indeed but you'll need a good lens (Mine - 18-270 mm - was useless).
A good option, as experienced by a friend, is avenue Marnix (corner rue du Trône), in front of ING building. You'll have a good "side" view and it will be closer. The weak point is that other buildings, on the left, will hide the incoming planes until the last moment.

[fabke]

The second rehearsal took place this afternoon. I went to Poelaertplein, in front of the Court of Justice's building.
Good place indeed but you'll need a good lens (Mine - 18-270 mm - was useless).
A good option, as experienced by a friend, is avenue Marnix (corner rue du Trône), in front of ING building. You'll have a good "side" view and it will be closer. The weak point is that other buildings, on the left, will hide the incoming planes until the last moment.

Thx for the tip , the spot I mentioned is indeed far if you want a single (small) plane but formations can nicely be captured

This is what should show up ( credit : www.mil.be )

Luchtdefilé
3 F-16 ‘smoke’
4 F-16
1 Spitfire + 2 F-16
4 Marchetti ‘Red Devils’
1 Xingu (FRA)
3 NH90
1 Alouette III + 2 A109
3 C-130
1 Embraer
1 A321

[Paul]

Today, active above Belgium: 15:30-

CH-11 Herky71
CH07 Herky72
CH07 Herky73
CE-02 Herky75
FA91 Bull11
FA68 Bull17
FA124 Bull22
FA57 Bull23
FA133 BAF282
FA119 Smoke01/Lion05
FA106 Smoke04
FA134 Mace74/Smoke05
FB15 Basic51
FA116 Tiger31/BAF502
FA56 Tiger32
FA110 Tiger34/BAF501

[Osprey66]

Additions:
Smoke05 FA-134
Herky76 CS-TRJ
Herky72 CH-07
Herky73 CH-01

Chronological (actual t.o.t. *Brussels Royal Palace 1617-1621):
Start 3x F16 (EBBL) smoking flag-colours
F16 4-Box (2W, EBFS)
2x F16 + Spit OO-XVI
4x SF260
Xingu (FAF)
3x NH90 (1 grey, 2 green)
AL3, 2x A109
3x Herc (mid: Invasion-striped)
Embraer
A321 (last)

[EOS]

Departed at KB towards Brussels.
Smokers formation 1: black FA104, yellow FA106, red FA134
Smokers formation 2: black FA69, yellow FA119, red FA95
Don't know which was the backup formation.
D-day marked 349 SQN: FA124
D-day marked Spitfire SL721

Flying only at KB:
Tigerformation: FA116, FA56, FA102, FA110
F-16 demo: FA101
FB15

[fabke]

E121 FAF 090 XINGU55

[fabke]

Departed at KB towards Brussels.
Smokers formation 1: black FA104, yellow FA106, red FA134
Smokers formation 2: black FA69, yellow FA119, red FA95
Don't know which was the backup formation.
D-day marked 349 SQN: FA124
D-day marked Spitfire SL721

Flying only at KB:
Tigerformation: FA116, FA56, FA102, FA110
F-16 demo: FA101
FB15

Backup formation must have been :
Smokers formation 1: black FA104, yellow FA106, red FA134


FA-69 black smoke(winders)
FA-119 yellow smoke(winders)
and FA-95 red smoke(winders) were seen above Brussels