As a result of the third stage in its expansion, the museum has been renovated and enlarged, and now links issues of war preparedness and peace efforts to technological development and surrounding world analysis. We interweave our explanations of how planes take off with the development of the Swedish welfare state in the 20th century.
The museum has been in existence since 1984, and served both as the F 3 squadron museum and a storage building in Ryd. The inauguration of the museum in 1984 marked the beginning of a public aviation museum at Malmen – the cradle of Swedish aviation. In 1989, the museum underwent an additional expansion with a second exhibition hall, enabling it to proudly exhibit a unique collection of aircraft from the decade following 1910 to today’s JAS 39 Gripen.
The DC-3 that was shot down, found and salvaged
On 13 June 1952, the Swedish Air Force’s DC-3 Tp 79001 was shot down over the Baltic Sea by the Soviet fighter plane. The Swedish plane was especially equipped for radio intelligence, and its crew consisted of three Air Force personnel and five personnel from the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA). The downing was an event that triggered the most dramatic days in Swedish defence history since the Second World War, and placed Sweden in the midst of Cold War events.
What actually happened to that DC-3 remained a mystery for more than 50 years. The Soviet Union did not admit the downing until the 1990s.
The Swedish Air Force Museum tasked by the Government
Not until 2003 was the wreck of the DC-3 found, about 50 kilometres east of the Gotska Sandön Island. In 2004, the plane was salvaged and placed at the base on Muskö Island for an investigation of the crash and care. In the same year, the Government tasked the National Swedish Museums of Military History (SFHM) to preserve and exhibit the DC-3 at the Air Force Museum. This required an expansion, and plans for the third stage of the museum’s expansion moved toward realisation.
A necessary expansion
Beginning in 2008, the museum was given an annual increase in appropriations of SEK 7 million for the preservation of the DC-3, as well as for the renovation and expansion of the museum. The expansion was necessary in order to enable the museum to accommodate the DC-3.
New museum – new content
In addition to the exhibition about Swedish during the Cold War, with a focus of the salvaged DC-3, this renovation includes:
- An inspiring knowledge room with archives and a library.
- The Flight Lab, science centre, for children and young people, which tangibly tells about "why and how things fly”.
- Space for continually changing temporary exhibitions.
- An auditorium for films, meetings and other events.
- A restaurant and café - Calle C.
The exhibition on the history of Swedish military aviation and technological development during the first half of the 20th century has been enhanced by various portrayals of planes as symbols of belief in the future. These stories are linked to those who designed, flew and serviced the planes, as well as to the threat existing in the world at that time.
A museum for everyone
A visit to the Swedish Air Force Museum is a great experience for both those who are interested in aviation and technological development, and for visitors who want to learn more about the history of Swedish society and Swedish defence. The museum was formally rededicated on 12 June 2010.
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