The investigation turned out to be a bit of a challenge as getting onto the apron area was restricted to club members only, but I did manage to syphon some information from the gate keeper (also a member of the aeroclub). Turns out this beauty belongs to a Belgian pilot who also happens to fly balloons or ‘Montgolfiers’ as they are referred to in France. Despite the very hot conditions at the time, she has a tremendous rate of climb which can probably be attributed to the 180hp engine (which the gate keeper told me….), and yes, it is a pity I did not get video footage of that one!
The Stampe is an authentic Belgian product, the first models were built in the 1930’s by Stampe et Vertongen in Antwerp. The SV.4A was initially built as an aerobatic trainer, but after World War Two when production once again took off, various improvements were made to the wings, they were fitted with higher powered engines. The Stampe was also used as a trainer for the Belgian air force in the late forties and early fifties.
