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Early Army Aviation in Sweden (1912-1926) |
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The
first military aviation unit was established in summer 1912 at the ancient
drillground of Axevalla Hed (founded in 1701). The year before had the
French Army made a test of 33
different types of aircraft intended for military use. Winners were the
monoplane Nieuport IV G and the biplane Breguet U1. The Swedish military
authorities decided to purchase one aircraft each of these two types for
evaluation. They would be financed partly by the state, partly by money
from private donators. The
aeroplanes, well packed in boxes, were delivered to Axevalla Hed 2nd of
July 1912 by railway. Eleven days later was the Breguet was ready for the
first take-off, but crashed the next day and had to get through
timewasting repairs. The Nieuport was more lucky and
made a lot of flying during the summer. The
experiences of aviation for military purposes had been positive. It was
decided that the aviation activities should be stabilised. They needed a
permanent airfield with hangars and other facilities. The choice fell on
another old (17th century) military drillground,
Malmslätt, also called ”Malmen” near Linköping. At Malmen was
already a private flying school established, run by Carl Cederström, the
first diplomaed aviator in Sweden. 1916
was Flygkompaniet (the Army Aviation Company) formed. It would exist for
ten years, when the Air Force became a separate service branch.
Flygkompaniet had its own workshop at Malmen, where aircraft were repaired
and extensive rebuilt. After a couple of years also production of new
aircraft began, both of own design and copies of others. For
aircraft used by Flygkompaniet, see the list below. Please click on the thumbnails for pictures and information. |
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