This page - Basic information, model kit
Page 3 - The display group "Four Aces"
Page 5 - List of all Tummelisas built

Perhaps is the ”Tummelisa” the most well-known and successful design of FVM (Flygkompaniets Tygverkstäder på Malmen) at Malmen near Linköping. FVM, founded in 1917, was the workshops of the Swedish Army aviation at Malmen, later base for Air Force Wing F 3. Malmen, or Malmslätt as it also used to be named, is still a military airfield and nowadays also the location of the Swedish Air Force Museum (Flygvapenmuseum). FVM was renamed CFM (Centrala Flygverkstaden i Malmslätt) in 1926 when the Air Force was established and in 1936 to CVM (Centrala Verkstaden i Malmslätt).

All of the 29 aircraft built 1920-1933 served during all years without any fatal accident. The first of these single-seated advanced trainers took to the air for the first time in June 1919.  It was a relative small machine, designed by Henry Kjellson, the father of many early Swedish aircraft. This aeroplane was given the name ”Tummeliten” (Little Tom Thumb), but the pilots preferred to call it ”Tummelisa”, the name of Tom’s female counterpart.  

The Tummelisa was a light wooden construction with wings and tail planes coated by linen fabric. The fuselage (and also the ailerons) were covered in plywood with engine cowling was made of aluminum plating. Many joints are however of metal and the wings etc. are carefully braced with piano wire.

The Tummelisas were fitted with rotating Thulin A-engines of 90 hp. 

The aircraft was small and light. It had excellent flying abilities, but it demanded skill and sensitivity of the pilot. The torque of the rotating engine was considerable in this small aircraft and had to be compensated with care. This characteristics made it a good advanced trainer aircraft.

When the Swedish Air Force was established, the Tummelisa was given the designation ”Ö 1” (Övningsplan 1, Advanced Trainer 1). One Ö 1, aircraft number 056, is preserved and displayed at Flygvapenmuseum. See also "Trainer Aircraft", chapter " Ö 1 ".

Photo above: The one of the first built Tummelisas. This aircraft, S/n 081, was delivered to the Army Aviation Company in November 1920. Photo from Malmen, the base of the Army Aviation.

Photo below: Tummelisa S/n 087, delivered in December 1921.

Length: 5,47 m. Span: 7,80 m. Height: 2,34 m. MTOW: 552 kg. Max. speed: 146 km/h

For the Model Builder

The Czech company Kora Models has developed a model kit the Tummlisa of resin with photo-etched parts. Scale 1:72. Catalouge number 7253

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-08-01