<p>The Renard R.31 was the most successful Belgian designed combat aircraft of all-time. It was designed as a reconnaissance aircraft and intended to replace the aging Breguet XIX biplanes then in service. The type first flew in 1932 and some 34 were built, with 32 entering Belgian Air Force service. Several were still in use when the Second World War began. The type’s last active flight was a reconnaissance mission on 27th May 1940, which was also the last Belgian Air Force flight against the oncoming German forces.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, no original R.31 exists, but because of the type’s importance to Belgian history volunteers are now constructing a full scale replica aircraft to original drawings. It is seen at what is known as the Brussels Air Museum, although it is actually the Air and Space Section of the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History.
Brussels, Belgium.
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26th June 2016
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65001151@N03">Alan Wilson</a> from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/33893825163/">Renard R.31 replica under construction</a>