Representatives of ASJA, the aircraft department of AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna (Swedish Railway Workshops Ltd.), visited a number of aircraft firms in the USA during 1936. One result was an agreement of the license production of the North American NA-16-4M, intended as a Type II (advanced) trainer in the Swedish Air Force. The Swedish designation became Sk 14. One aircraft (SwAF/n 671) was bought in the USA and was used  by the Air Force for evaluation and tests.

ASJA also managed to entice nearly fifty American engineers, mainly from the Douglas concern, to its works at Linköping. The engineers returned to America at the outbreak of WWII, but provided the Swedish aircraft industry with invaluable know-how during their time in our country.  

The Sk 14 was the Swedish first trainer with enclosed cockpit. It was entirely built of metal, except for the sides of the fuselage and the control surfaces, which was covered in fabric. It was powered by a Wright Whirlwind R-975-E3 engine, which delivered 455 hp. The aircraft was fitted with a fixed tailwheel landing gear.  

In 1938, the Air Force signed a contract with ASJA for the delivery of 35 aircraft. A second NA-16-4M was bought from North American to be used as a pattern aircraft and was delivered as the last aircraft in the first batch (SwAF/n 609). The other 34 Sk 14s got  the Air Force numbers 672—699 and 603-608.  

The deliveries to the Air Force Flight Academy (F 5) at Ljungbyhed took place in 1939-1940. A second batch of  18 aircraft was ordered by the Air Force in the end of 1939. These aircraft were delivered in the first half of 1941. Air Force numbers 5810-5827.  

ASJA became incorporated with SAAB in 1939. When the Air Force in 1940 ordered a third batch of 23 aircraft, they were built by the workshops of SAAB at Linköping. Due to the American embargo, no more Wright engines could be obtained. Instead, these 23 aircraft were equipped with the Italian Piaggio P VIIRC16 engine of 500 hp. This batch got the Air Force numbers 5824-5850. Due to the change of engine, this variant was designated Sk 14A. The deliveries took place in the first half of 1942.  

But the story does not end here. A last, fourth batch of 60 Sk 14As were ordered  in 1942. These aircraft were built at SAAB’s works at Trollhättan, where the SAAB cars are manufactured today. The aircraft were delivered 1943-1946 and got the Air Force numbers 14001-14060.  

Totally, 137 Sk 14/Sk 14As were provided to the Swedish Air Force between 1937 and 1946. Some aircraft, Sk 14N, were later fitted with nosewheel landing gears to prepare the pilots for the J 21A.    

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-07-10