Red Devils

The Red Devils are the Belgian Air Force’s four-ship aerobatic team, most recently flying the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260M/D in a vivid red display scheme accented with Belgian tricolour markings. Crews are drawn from Beauvechain Air Base, where they also serve as instructor pilots—so the display style reflects disciplined training standards as well as showmanship.

After their 2011 revival, the team displayed widely across Europe with tight, crowd-friendly formations and synchronised figures. In recent seasons, the Belgian Air Force has prioritised the training pipeline amid an SF-260 draw-down, placing the team in inactive status pending the next training setup.

Role & origin. Two-seat primary/advanced trainer designed by Stelio Frati. The prototype (as F.260) flew in 1964, with production by SIAI-Marchetti and, later, by Aermacchi/Leonardo.

Layout & powerplant. Sleek low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle gear, powered by a Lycoming O-540 260-hp piston engine driving a constant-speed propeller—well-suited to aerobatics and military basic training.

In Belgian service. Belgium introduced the SF-260 around 1969–1971 for elementary/basic training, later adding upgraded airframes. Red Devils displays used SF-260M/D airframes based at Beauvechain.

Belgium selected the SF-260 at the end of the 1960s for elementary/basic training, initially fielding the SF-260M and later adding SF-260D airframes. Training moved from Goetsenhoven to Beauvechain in the 1990s, where the type continued as the backbone of early pilot training. Airframes received progressive upgrades (wings, avionics, canopy refinements) to extend service life.

For airshows the aircraft wore high-visibility schemes and the Red Devils’ striking red livery with national colours. As airframes aged, several were retired, and the Air Force prioritised the training pipeline—resulting in the display team’s current pause pending the next training configuration.

• Red Devils pilots are instructor-qualified and schedule displays around training duties at Beauvechain.
• The team name dates to 1957, when the original Red Devils flew Hawker Hunter fighters in red.
• From 1965–1977 a revived team flew the Fouga Magister, with later revivals culminating in the 2011 SF-260 era.
• Belgian SF-260s have appeared in both training yellow and vivid display red schemes.
• The SF-260’s responsive handling reflects designer Stelio Frati’s aim for “jet-like” characteristics in a piston trainer.