Fouga Magister

Come along for a nostalgic trip during the International Sanicole Airshow on Sunday 22 September when a beautiful classic jet with a very patriotic touch glides through the Hechtel-skies: the legendary Fouga Magister.

The Fouga Magister owes its unique lines to its original design as a glider, the Fouga CM8. This innovative aircraft was used during development and carried a jet engine on top of the fuselage. To avoid disturbing the thrust of the engine, the tail was divided in the characteristic butterfly configuration. Due to insufficient thrust, the unique design had to be modified with two engines, but the butterfly tail was retained.

45 silver Fouga Magisters served with the Belgian Air Force from 1960, as well as briefly in the former Belgian Congo. They mainly took the place of T-6 Harvard trainers. They gained most international fame thanks to their years of conspicuous service with the Belgian Air Force's demonstration team, the Red Devils, and later with the elegant solo demonstrations.

Thanks to Antwerp's Stampe and Vertongen museum, we can now still enjoy this eye-catching design in Belgian skies, beautifully adorned in the colours of the Red Devils.