Musée Spitfire

Om museet

The Musée Spitfire is located at Florennes air base, within the 2nd Tactical Wing of the Belgian Air Force. The idea for a museum was born in 1985, when Colonel Xavier Janssens, an aviator, took command of the 2nd Wing. With volunteers, he had the Spitfire, which had been deteriorating for decades in front of the headquarters building, fully restored.

To house it, a showcase was built thanks to donations: the Memorial, inaugurated in 1992 in the presence of Colonel Raymond Lallemant, a RAF hero and the first commander of the 2nd Wing at Florennes in the late 1940s. Five years later, the Grand Hall completed the ensemble, presenting the aircraft that shaped the history of the base.

The museum is run by an ASBL (non-profit association), which is recognised but independent of the Defence department. It relies on its own funds and on the commitment of many volunteers, and aims to make the history of the base known, especially to young people.

Højdepunkter

• Spitfire Mk XIV restored by volunteers over 6 years, 12,000 hours of work
• Grand Hall with F-84E Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, Mirage 5 BR and F-16
• BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile with its trailer, presented as unique in Europe
• F-16 cockpit you can sit in
• History of Florennes air base, from the Luftwaffe in 1943 to today

Permanente udstillinger

• Le Mémorial – Showcase for a restored Spitfire Mk XIV that flew with the 2nd Wing, with artefacts, display cases and panels on the history of Florennes air base, from its creation by the German occupiers to the present day.
• Le Grand Hall – Aircraft on display (F-84E, F-84F, Mirage 5 BR, F-16, Fouga Magister, Tiger Moth), engines, weapons, an F-16 cockpit and an area devoted to the Second World War.

Grundlagt

1992

Ejer

ASBL Mémorial Spitfire – Florennes Air Base

Entrépriser & rabatter

Prices are not listed on the official website; they come from the museum's entry at CM Tourisme (Charleroi Métropole Tourisme) and should be checked with the museum.

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: ingen oplysninger
• Handicaptoilet: ingen oplysninger
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt: findes ikke
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Animals are not admitted within the military base. Information panels, videos via QR code and an interactive terminal are available.

Børn og familie

Transport & parkering

Access is through the guardhouse of Florennes air base, via rue de Chaumont; follow the signs in the town of Florennes. Postal address of the museum: Base Jean Offenberg, Route Charlemagne 191, 5620 Florennes. Parking and coach parking according to a tourist listing.

Service & spisesteder

Museum shop and toilets (according to a tourist listing).

Arrangementer & udlejning

Museet har ikke offentliggjort oplysninger om dette.

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