Establishment of the Air Force in 1926
At first, planes were used only to fly with. But the outbreak of the First World War marked the beginning of the military use of aircraft, which in Sweden meant reconnaissance and the training of aviators. All military aviation was also linked to the navy or the army. However, in 1926, the flying units of the army and navy were combined to form an independent air force. On 1 July of that year, the Air Force began its operations with four wings, an aviation school and several workshops.
This newly established air force expanded rapidly in the 1930s and 1940s, and by the mid-1950s, was considered the fourth largest air force in the world, and was mostly supplied by domestic industry.
With a speed twice that of sound
The role of aviation in Sweden can perhaps be said to follow a path characterised by love of adventure, innovation and strategy, as well as by close cooperation between civilian and military players. One thing that has remained constant through all these years is that planes use the same basic principle in order to fly as they did a century ago. But naturally, there is an enormous difference, as today’s aircraft fly through the air at twice the speed of sound.
Everyone is welcome to see and read about the Swedish Air Force Museum’s amazing collection of planes.