"Den atelier" (The workshop)

At the place where you are now, we have tried to recreate the atmosphere of the Stampe and Vertongen workshops. The success of the RSV.32 in 1923 led to several orders from military aviation. When civilians also started ordering these machines, a golden age dawned for Jean Stampe and Maurice Vertongen.

In order to meet the demand, it was necessary to expand the business.

When the first RSV.32 was finished and had flown a test, it was presented to the public in Brussels. King Albert I was also present and after Jean Stampe had demonstrated the plane, the monarch decided that he wanted to make a flight with 'his' pilot.

This royal interest led to the military also becoming interested in the aircraft; they eventually placed an order for 19 pieces. By the end of 1923, the school had already trained 56 pilots. Then civilian pilots also became interested in the RSV.32 and placed another 22 orders.

It was therefore necessary to expand the installations. Stampe and Vertongen purchased 2 hangars of the “Bessonneau” type.

Stampe's wife Hélène is the secretary on duty and has her office in a wooden chalet next to the hangars, while father Stampe also regularly works in the warehouses and workshops. In 1930, the company's status was changed to an SNC (Société en Nom Collectif); Jean and Maurice's expectations were far exceeded. In 7 years time 250 pilots were trained without too bad accidents. Of the 450 pilots the school trained between 1923 and 1939, 300 were personally taught by Jean Stampe. (He got his instructor's license on 20/12/1939!)

On May 10, 1940, a few hours after the German invasion, Jean Stampe received orders to evacuate and take his equipment and personnel to France.

The Germans used the installations during the war to repair their Messerschmitts. At the end of hostilities, they destroyed everything.