The BAPA association was founded to give greater autonomy in management and decision-making to a group of dedicated volunteers who had worked behind the scenes for over thirty years.
Its mission is to restore, preserve, and exhibit aircraft, as well as to support any activity related to safeguarding aviation heritage in all its forms.
BAPA aims to showcase the richness of our aeronautical heritage, make it accessible to a wide audience, and keep alive the unique skills required to build, restore, and maintain these historic aircraft.
WOW !
The Showcase of the Belgian Aviation Preservation Association, just opened. It offers a unique opportunity to discover our aircraft restoration workshop and our brand-new exhibition hall.
Visits are by appointment only, to be arranged via: visite@bapa.aero
Many of the aircraft we recover have suffered years of neglect and are often damaged or incomplete.
Several historic machines have already been fully restored or are currently undergoing restoration—among them, a B-25 “Mitchell,” the iconic American WWII bomber that played a key role in the liberation of Europe.
Thanks to extensive work, research, and the fabrication or repair of parts, some aircraft have been returned to their original condition.
On the next page, you'll discover both completed and ongoing restoration projects we’re proud to share.
The association holds a rich collection of civilian and military aircraft, showcasing the evolution of aviation from its origins to the present day. This includes warbirds, helicopters, civilian and homebuilt aircraft, engines, and gliders.
The collection is complemented by aviation-related items such as uniforms, instrument panels, and technical equipment.
In addition, the association has safeguarded valuable historical archives from aircraft manufacturers—documents that reflect an important chapter of our nation's industrial and aeronautical heritage.
From time to time, we provide aeronautical equipment for the film and television industry. Our contributions have included the B-25 fuselage for the short film "Airmen" by Olivier Merckx and for a six-episode remake of Catch-22 as well as various airframe components for the documentary Apocalypse, produced for the RTBF.
Published twice a year the newsletters allows our members to present not only the projects on which they work but also technical or historical article.
The "extended" version give access to the original articles, too long to be published in a Newsletter.
The aircraft in the flying squadron belong to private pilots who are also BAPA members. Since these planes often spark the interest of aviation enthusiasts, and in the spirit of “strength through unity,” they are occasionally displayed during BAPA events and gatherings.
To join our organization, you do not need to have specific knowledge but passion and enthusiasm are mandatory.
People that cannot come to work at the workshop (because of lack of time, distance) still have the option to do remote working: CAO, research, manufacture of components, the sky is the limit!