The unfortunate SV-10

The expansion of the German Luftwaffe in the mid-1930s gave our generals food for thought. Our military aviation had obsolete aircraft, so specifications were drawn up for a fighter-bomber. Two manufacturers took part : Stampe and Vertongen and Lacab. One of the requirements (an outdated vision): it had to be a biplane. George Ivanow was commissioned and developed the SV-10.

The approaching threat of war made military aviation decide to improve the aircraft fleet. Strict specifications were drawn up, which did not leave the constructors much room for their designs. Only two companies felt called to participate. Lacab presented its Gr8 Doryphore and Stampe and Vertongen promoted its SV-10 as a fighter-bomber. George Ivanow, who had designed the SV-5 and was working on the improved version of the SV-4, had to drop everything and devote himself entirely to the SV-10. In the greatest secrecy, Ivanow designed a short thick bomber that would be equipped with two Gnome Rhône engines of 800 hp and had a bombload of 600 kg. Due to the limited space, the prototype was built transversely in the shed.

The finished aircraft was slid out in September 1935 and promptly photographed by a few attentive photographers. After a small 'air jump' on October 1, the first test flight followed on October 4. Leon Stampe and technician Majurot were delighted with the new design.

Another test flight was made on October 5 around 3pm, this time with Leon Stampe and George Ivanow. The plane left for Kontich and then turned back towards Borsbeek. And then all went wrong: the aircraft ended up in a left-wing spin. Leon managed to get it under control, but a second spin was fatal. The plane crashed in front of the crowd and father Stampe. Leon Stampe and George Ivanow did not survive the crash. For Stampe and Vertongen this 5th October was a most horrible day.