When the Air Force started its soaring activities in the forties, it was stated that the Air Force wings would start the building of their own aircraft, primarily training gliders. As a standard type for the latter, the German Schulgleiter SG 38, designed by Schneider Flugzeugbau, was chosen. The type got an official Air Force designation, G 101.  

The SG 38 was easy to fly, although it lacked every kind of instruments. The speed had to be estimated by the sound in the bracing-wires. It was easy to make turns and the glider was very stable. It was natural to choose a German design. Germany was without competition the leading nation in soaring.  After WWI, the peace treaty denied the Germans to produce and fly engine-powered aircraft. This led to the birth of organized gliding activity in 1920 at Wasserkuppe in the mountain chain Rhöngebirge. Soon, some Swedish pilots found their way to Wasserkuppe and brought their experiences back to Sweden. Wasserkuppe is still an important soaring centre in Germany with a well-known museum. See map below.  

In 1935, a SG 38 was built by students at Chalmers Institute of Technology in Gothenburg. In 1939, Svenska Kano Verken (SKV), manufacturers of canoes and wooden panelling, ventured to build a new factory at the airfield at Halmstad to also produce sailplanes. When the company got the rights to produce the SG 38 glider, the building of sailplanes became the predominate activity and SKV changed its name to AB Flygindustri (AFI - ”Aviation Industry Limited”). 1941-1944 the company delivered both assembled gliders and building kits. More than 200 of the kits were for the of glider SG 38. 40 of these were ordered by the Air Force and delivered to all Air Force Wings. The gliders were assembled during the winters by the eager future pilots themselves. The gliders also got Swedish Air Force numbers - 8001-8040.  

The G 101 was made out of wood - the fuselage as a framework. The wings were covered with plywood and canvas.  

The G 101 on the photo is preserved at Flygvapenmuseum.  

Length: 6,28 m. Span: 10,41 m. Height: 2,43 m. MTOW: 210 kg. Max. speed: 115 km/h. Lift/drag ratio 10:1 at 52 km/h.

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-07-11