A small belgian whirlwind

[ValAstur]

The société nationale belge de aéronautique (SNBA) was founded after the end of WWI. It's main focus was the improvement of the existing technologies in aeronautics and the development of new aircraft for both military and civilian use.  The first steps were made after inspecting the german aircraft (remainders of the first aerial war in human history), left behind by the German Empire after its unconditional surrender. From the knowledge gathered and by experimenting with new constructed airframes, the company was able to launch their first commercial airplane, the SNBA Wallonie, in 1922. Due to comparatively small tanks and very inefficient engines, the aircraft could only fly short routes, making it pretty unattractive for purchase. Also their second model, the Pégase, which was presented in 1927 and was a sleak and far more efficient model, was not up to par with the other aircraft of its time. Development of new models stagnated and SNBA felt compelled to the production of spare parts for already existing planes in belgian use. It became especially important during WW2, when the staff and the engineers left their homebase in Mons prior to the german invasion in 1940 and went to the UK to aid the British in the upgrading of the Hurricane and Spitfire, that became so effective against the Messerschmitts, Junkers and Heinkels during the Battle for Britain.

After WW2, the engineers and the other surviving staff returned to Belgium where, in cooperation with former german engineers, Belgiums first jetfighter was developed, the CR1 Tonnerre (Thunder). Structural problems, that couldn't be fixed without causing other problems in the aircrafts behaviour and performance, doomed the aircraft to an early end and the design team back to the drawing tables.

In 1951, the design for the CR2 Tourbillon (Whirlwind), sporting swept wings and a more powerful engine, got the good to go from the belgian government. The first flight was undertaken in Summer 1952, where problems with abnormal vibrations at the wingroots and it's tendency to spin in some situations almost led to the loss of the prototype. The improved and upgraded prototype absolved the checking flight without major problems in 1953. Thorough testing by pilots of the belgian air force led to some more minor improvements. In 1954, the production of the plane was initiated and the belgian air force received their first batch of CR2 (Chasseur à réaction 2 - 2nd jetfighter) Tourbillon in late spring of 1955.

 

SNBA CR2 Tourbillon, 2nd Wing 1st Squadron "Chardon", 1955

 

SNBA CR2 Tourbillon, 10th Wing 31st Squadron "Tigers", 1955