At the outbreak of the WWI a German Albatros B.IIa -  damaged after a forced landing in Stockholm - was kept and later bought by the Swedish authorities. The Albatros was used as a pattern for manufacturing in Sweden. Totally 42 aircraft of this type were operated by the early army aviation.  

Also the navy aviation used the Albatros B.IIa, but these five aircraft were bought (in second-hand) from Germany.  

When the Air Force was established in 1926, the following Albatros aircraft  were taken over by the new service branch: 

-    Five Albatos B.II aircraft with 120 hp Mercedes engines (”120-trossar”) from the Army Aviation Company. All built by the workshops of the Army Aviation Company at Malmen (FVM = Flygkompaniets Tygverkstäder på Malmen). Air Force designation Sk 1.  

-    Three Albatros B.IIa aircraft with 120 hp Mecedes engines from the Navy. All of German origin. Air Force designation Sk 1. 

-   Ten Albatos B.II aircraft with 160 hp Mercedes engines (”160-trossar”) from the Army Aviation Company. All built by the workshops of the Army Aviation Company (FVM). Because of its stronger engines, these aircraft were designated as advanced trainers. See Ö 2 - Albatros B.II!  

The aircraft were handed over to and used by the new Air Force Flight Academy at Ljungbyhed (F 5).  

Engine trouble was constantly a problem for the Sk 1. Due to this, three aircraft were written off in 1928. A grounding order for the remaining five was issued in 1929. The aircraft were written off the same year.   

For the Model Builder

Choroszy Modelbud, Poland, has a resin model kit of the similar Albatros CIa. Swedish markings are not included. Scale 1:72. Kit # A50. Click on the thumbnail for larger image.

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-07-17