On April 22nd, 2016 during an informal ceremony at Kleine Brogel airbase 31 ‘Tiger’ Squadron presented their ‘Tiger’ F16 to the rest of the world.

The design was made by Johan Wolfs and Peter Verheyen who were already responsible for many special paint schemes in the Belgian Air Force the last few decades. The 2016 ‘Tiger’-design is inspired on the design the artistic duo produced in 1991, the year of their first special ‘Tiger’.

During two weekends Johan and Peter, with the assistance from the paintshop-staff at Kleine Brogel, transformed Lockheed-Martin F16AM FA77 into a real piece of art.

In 2015 31 Squadron was not able to participate in the annual NATO Tiger Meet exercise, but in 2016 they will be back in full force and with as principle aim to reclaim the ‘Silver Trophy’ and bring it back to Belgium.

Hereafter you find a number of pictures taken during the unveiling ceremony and the first flight of the aircraft piloted by the 31 Squadron Commanding Officer later in the day.

Low Approach wants to thank the Belgian Air Force and in particular 31 Squadron and the 10 W Tac Public Relations team for the invitation and assistance during this event.

Text : Laurent Heyligen

Photography : Dirk Geuns, Laurent Heyligen & Tim Van den Boer