The Stampe & Vertongen SV-4b, OO-BPL (c/n 1194) carries the exact color scheme of the OO-ATD with which the sergeant pilots of the Belgian Military Aviation, Michel “Mike” Donnet and Léon Divoy, fled on July 5, 1941 to England.

A bold escape.

In 1939, the sergeant pilots, Michel Donnet and Léon Divoy, were assigned to the Weapons School in Evere to become sub-lieutenants in the Military Aviation. The impending invasion of the Germans quickly put an end to these plans and they left for their units in Bierset and Goetsenhoven respectively. In May 1940 they both took part in the eighteen-day campaign, after which they eventually ended up in the south of France, together with many fellow soldiers.

After the capitulation, both pilots were forced to return to Belgium and were sent on “indefinite leave”. The Belgian Army and its aviation system no longer existed...

Both young adventurers were out of work and hoped to flee to England to enlist in the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Léon Divoy knew that a Stampe SV-4b owned by Thierry Baron d'Huart was parked on the grounds of the castle “Ter Block” in Overijse (near Brussels). The latter had been commander of the 4th Squadron of the 2nd Group of the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Nivelles during the summer of 1939.

Léon informed his comrade in arms Michel Donnet of this fact and together they plotted an escape to England by “borrowed” Stampe. Together with a few loyal friends, the SV-4b was prepared for the long flight in the following months, all under the nose of the occupying forces who had taken up residence in the castle!

Several vital parts had to be assembled to make the aircraft ready to fly again. Among other things, an instrument panel was put together and valuable gasoline was delivered in small quantities.

Finally, on the night of July 4 to 5, 1941, the daring departure took place. Under a beautiful starry sky, the SV-4b was started less than 200 meters from the castle, which was full of Germans. With a cold engine, they had to take off with the wind at their backs on a piece of land lined with trees, no easy task. The combination of these elements further increased the risk of being discovered. With Léon Divoy behind the controls, they started and left the homeland just over the treetops: cap 300 (course at 300 degrees) towards Great Britain.

After a night flight of more than 3 hours, they landed in a field near Clacton-on-Sea (Essex). The daring escape was a success!

Royal Air Force

Michel “Mike” Donnet and Léon Divoy became fighter pilots in the RAF in August 1941. Mike Donnet had a brilliant career within the RAF and rose to Wing Commander in 1944. Léon Divoy was less fortunate, on April 4, 1942 he collided with another Spitfire and had to use his parachute. He ended up in a German prisoner of war camp where he was forced to wait for the end of the war.

Peace time

After the hostilities, both continued their careers in the newly established Belgian Air Force. Mike Donnet became lieutenant general and chief of staff of NATO's 2nd Tactical Air Force. He was an avid visitor to our museum.

Léon Divoy only stayed with the Belgian Air Force for a short time, as commander of the 349th Squadron in Bevekom. After his military career, he transferred to Belgium's national carrier SABENA, where he became a captain.

Brief history of the OO-ATD

The OO-ATD was the fourth SV-4b to leave the factory in Deurne. It was registered on February 13, 1939 under CofR 462. On March 7, this Stampe became the property of Thierry Baron d'Huart, resident of the castle “Ter Block” in Overijse. The aircraft was “stolen” by Donnet and Divoy in 1941 and then ended up in the RAF as a liaison aircraft with the serial MX457. After the Second World War, the SV-4b returned to Belgium and was exhibited in the Brussels Cinquantenaire Park on July 20, 1945.

The OO-ATD was checked and demilitarized at Stampe & Renard in Brussels on March 15, 1948 and transferred to the owner on September 28 of the same year.

The registration OO-ATD was removed from the Belgian aviation register on October 29, 1957. The aircraft was re-registered the same day as OO-ATO under CofR 1159.

On July 7, 1960, this historic Stampe met its end in an orchard near Virton. Jean Stampe was asked to repair the aircraft, but he decided not to do so due to the poor condition of the wreck...

If you would like to learn more about this exceptional adventure and the further adventures of our friends, the book “I flew for freedom” by Mike Donnet is definitely recommended. This book is available in the museum.