Swedish military aircraft type descriptions

Saab JAS 39 Gripen

The best light weight multi role combat aircraft in production.
204 ordered for the Swedish air force and currently being delivered, with more orders to follow. More than 40 already in service with the Swedish air force, the first squadron operational in 1997.

Saab 340B AEW&C

Designated S 100B Argus in the Swedish air force. First of six delivered in 1994.
One Saab 340B was operated in the VIP transport role 1990-2003 with the designation TP 100A. In 2003 it was converted to Open Skies configuration and was redesignated OS 100.
Two second hand Saab 340B entered service in 2004 as TP 100C.

Saab 37 Viggen

A very good multi role combat aircraft. 330 built in five versions for the Swedish air force. Continously upgraded and still modern, the fighter version with some unique capabilities.

Eurocopter Super Puma

The AS.332M1 Super Puma has served with the Swedish air force in the search and rescue role since 1988. Twelve are in service and designated HKP 10.

Saab 105

Twin engined trainer aircraft with light attack / reconnaissance and liasion capability. Designation is SK 60. Functions as both primary and secondary trainer for the air force.
148 aquired by the Swedish air force, the first in 1967. Also exported to Austria.

Cessna Citation II

A single example entered service in Sept 1998, designated Tp 103. It is used for VIP transport on distances where the G IV isn't needed. More could be purchased.

Gulfstream IV

The Swedish air force operates one Gulfstream IV in the VIP transport role since 1992. Its designation is TP 102A.
Two were purchased for the ELINT role in 1995 and designated S 102B.

Lockheed Hercules

The Swedish air force now operates eight Herculeses. The first, a C-130E, was purchased in 1965 and is now the oldest operating Hercules in Europe, it was soon followed by another and later by six C-130Hs, the last in 1981. All are now updated to C-130H standard, designation is TP 84.

Beech 200 Super King Air

Four purchased by the Swedish air force, the first in 1988. They are designated TP 101 and the three remaining ones are used for light transport duties.

Rockwell Sabreliner

The Swedish air force has been using two Sabreliners, with the designation TP 86, since 1981 for a variety of equipment trials, like GPS and CARABAS.

Fairchild Metro III

Between 1984 and 1993 two Metro III/Merlin IV Cs were leased for VIP transport.
Since 1987 a Metro III, designated TP 88C is in service for different trials, like the PS-890 Erieye airborne radar.

Scottish Aviation Bulldog

The Swedish air force purchase 78 Bulldogs to be used as primary trainers starting in 1972. Today, they are used as liasion aircraft. Designation is SK 61 with five sub variants depending on avionics fit.
The army used 20 between 1972-91 for artillery observation, they were also fitted for light anti-tank missiles. Designation was Fpl 61.

Augusta Bell 204B

The air force operates six AB 204Bs since 1962 in the transport role. Designation is Hkp 3B and they are due for retirement in 1999.

Saab 35 Draken

Interceptor, the first of 612 built for four air forces entered service in 1960.
More modern variants still in service with the Finnish and Austrian air forces.

Saab 32 Lansen

Jet fighter, originally built in three versions for the Swedish air force, with production totaling 449.
First entered service in 1955, target towers and ECM versions to be retired during 1997.
Some J 32Es may continue flying with the trials establishment.

Hawker Hunter Mk.50

120 Hunters served in the Swedish air force between 1955 and 1966. Designated J 34.

de Havilland Venom NF 51

Between 1953 and 1960 60 served with the Swedish air force as night fighters using the designation J 33.

Saab 29 Tunnan

One of the first swept wing jet fighters. Very modern when it entered service in 1951. Held closed circuit speed records.
Served with distinction in the UN operation in Kongo. Also exported to Austria.

Caravelle

Between 1971 and 1998 the Swedish air force operated two Caravelles as ELINT aircraft, but with the designation Tp 85, which denotes transport aircraft. They were due to retire in 1996, but were retired in early and late 1998 respectively.

MBB Bo 105CBS

Between 1985 and 1993 four served as search and rescue helicopters with the air force, designated Hkp 9B.
The type is also in service with the army.

Vertol 107-II

Nine Vertol 107-IIs were in air force service, for primarily search and rescue work, between 1964 and 1992, with the designation Hkp 4A.
The type is also in navy service.

Alouette II

A total of eight Alouette IIs served with the air force between 1956 and 1986, designated Hkp 2.

Vertol 44

For search and rescue work, the Swedish air force had two Vertol 44s in service between 1962 and 1964. Designation was Hkp 1.
After retirement from the air force, they were handed over to the navy, where they served with nine others, the last which was retired in 1971.

DHC-4 Caribou

Two were leased during 1964-65 for evaluation using the designation Tp 55.

English Electric Canberra B Mk IIB

The Swedish air force had two Canberras, designated Tp 52, for transport, in service from 1959 until 1974 when they were replaced in their ELINT role by a pair of Caravelles.

Good article on it: TP 52 - English Electric Canberra B.2 (1960-1974).

Percival Pembroke

Between 1957 and 1977 a total of 18 served as transports with the designation Tp 83.

Vickers Varsity

A single example was in service betwen 1953 and 1973 with the designation Tp 82.

It was ordered as a replacement for the lost ELINT DC-3 and served in that role until it was retired when the Caravelles entered service.

Grumman Goose

One Grumman Goose with the designation Tp 81 was in service between 1951 and 1962.

Avro Lancaster

One was used as a jet engine test bed between 1950-56 designated Tp 80.

Saab 21R

This was a jet powered development of the Saab 21. It was not useful as a fighter, so it was designated A 21R, with the "R" denoting "reamotor" = jet engine.

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.XIX

Served as reconnaissance aircraft with the Swedish air force. 50 purchased in 1948 and served until 1955 with the designation S 31.

Saab Safir

Trainer/liasion aircraft. 99 served in different versions with the Swedish air force between 1947 and 1992, with the designations Tp 91 and Sk 50.
In all, 323 produced, serving with six air forces and several civilian customers.

de Havilland Vampire

Several versions in service with the Swedish air force as fighters, J 28, and later as trainers, Sk 28.

de Havilland Mosquito NF.XIX

60 served as night fighters with the Swedish air force where it was called J 30

North American Mustang

Served as fighters with the Swedish air force, some as reconnaissance aircraft.

North American Harvard IIb/T-6 Texan/BC-1A/SNJ- /SNJ-2

143 Canada-built Harvard IIb entered service starting in 1947 as Sk 16A. Later on two more were added, one was in a mixed batch with other variants and one had been the Swedish assistant air attache's personal aircraft in the US where he was in charge of purchasing spares for the Sk 16s.

A second batch was purchased in 1952-53, which consisted of a mix of T-6 Texan, BC-1A, different SNJ. As they were incompatible with the earlier ones, 106 of them were designated Sk 16B and the six SNJ-2s Sk 16C.

The Sk 16B/Cs were taken out of service during 1957-58. Some Sk 16A remained flying until 1972.

Saab 21

Twin boom pusher prop fighter/ground attack aircraft. Entered service in 1945. Designation was J 21 and as it primarily was a ground attack aircraft later A 21
One of the very first aircraft with an ejection seat.

Bücker Bü 181B Bestmann

In the period 1945-1952 121 Bestmanns with the designation Sk 25 served as primary trainers with the air force.

Dornier 24T-1

One Do 24T-1 served as a search and rescue aircraft with the transport designation Tp 24 between 1945 and 1951.

Douglas DC-3

From 1947 until 1984, the Swedish air force had a total of seven DC-3s, designated Tp 79.

The first two, 79001 "Hugin" and 79002 "Munin" (after Odin's ravens), together with a Ju 86 called "Blondie", belonged to the so called 6. Transportflyggruppen at F 8, which at that time had a staff of twelve. In reality they were used for ELINT duties, the Tp 79s fitted out with five operator stations, the operators belonging to FRA.
79001 was shot down over the Baltic on June 13:th 1952 (wreck found in 2003), a Catalina which was looking for it on June 16:th (crew rescued by a commercial ship).

Noorduyn Norseman

Between 1949 and 1959 three Norseman with the designation Tp 78 served with the air force, mostly as ambulances.

Consolidated PBY-5A Canso

The Swedish air force had three in service during 1947-66 with the designation Tp 47, equipped, as the first Swedish air force aircraft, with radar with search and rescue as one of their duties.

More information at www.avrosys.nu.

de Havilland DH 104 Dove

One served with the air force between 1948 and 1966 designated Tp 46

Beechcraft C-45

Two were in service as Tp 45 between 1948 and 1955.

Saab 18

Twin engined medium bomber/reconnaissance aircraft. Entered service in 1944.

FFVS J 22

Deliveries of this Swedish designed and built fighter started in 1943.

Saab 17

Single engine dive bomber/reconnaissance aircraft. Entered service in 1942.

Reggiane Re 2000 Falco

Between 1941 and 1946 a total of 60 Re 2000 fighters with the designation J 20 served with the Swedish air force.

Caproni Ca 313S

80 Caproni Ca 313Ss served with the Swedish air force between 1940 and 1946.
30 as dive bombers, B 16A, between 1940-43, of which 26 were converted into reconniassance aircraft, S 16A, of which there was a total of 66 which served until 1945.
16 were used as torpedo bombers, T 16A, between 1941-42, later converted into reconnaissance, S 16B, serving from 1942 until 1945.
Two converted S 16A served as transports, Tp 16A, until 1946.

Seversky Republic EP-1

Only the first batch of 60 were delivered in 1940, the second was embargoed. They served with the designation J 9 until about 1951. A few were rebuilt as reconnaissance aircraft.

Fiat CR.42bis Falco

This was among the best fighters we could get, and 72 were purchased in 1940, most were retired by 1945 but a single one remained until 1946.
Designation was J 11.
It had the distinction of beeing the fastest bi-plane fighter.

Fokker F VIII

The air force leased one for some time and in 1942 purchased it and gave it the designation Tp 10. It was retired in 1944.

Götaverken GV 38

A total of six were leased in different periods between 1941 and 1945, usually only one per wing. Weren't given a designation.

Waco UIC-4 and ZQC-6

Three UIC-4s were leased during 1940 and wore the designation Tp 8, one ZQC-6 was purchased in 1940 and designated Tp 8B

Miles M 3A Falcon Major

A single example served from 1940 until 1944 with the designation Tp 7.

Fairchild 24 De Luxe

One was leased 1940-41, designation Tp 6.

Junkers Ju 52/3m

The air force leased five Ju 52/3m ci and Ju 52/3m vai in periods during 1940-45, all with the designation Tp 5.

Beechcraft 18 R

A single example served from 1940 until 1949 and had the designation Trp 4.

Heinkel He 114B-1

Twelve He 114B-1s served with the air force from 1941 until 1947 as reconnaissance aircraft. Designation was S 12.

Republic Guardsman

52 were ordered, but only two were delivered in 1940. The last of them was retired in 1953. Designation was B 6.

AB Flygindustri Fi 3

The air force contracted for a small number, five, of cargo gliders, to be designated Lg 105. Only one was delivered, and it was retired the same year, 1944.

AB Flygindustri DFS Weihe

19 licence produced Weihes with the designation Se 104 were in service with the air force between 1943 and 1954.

AB Flygplan DFS Kranich B-1

30 Swedish built Kranich B-1s, designated Se 103 served from 1943 until 1952.

AB Flygplan Schneider Grunau Baby IIB-2

A total of 31 licence built Grunau Babys with the designation Se 102 were in service from 1942 until 1961.

AB Flygindustri SG-38 (Schulgleiter 38)

40 licence built SG-38s with the designation G 101 were in air force service between 1942 and 1953.

Fiesler Fi 156 Storch

Two Fi 156K-1 purchased for evaluation in 1938, with the designation P 4. Designation was changed to S 14 in 1940, when six Fi 156C were bought and designated S 14A. Twelve Fi 156Ca-3 purchased in 1943 and six Fi 156C-3/Trop in 1948 were designated S 14B. The last one was retired in 1960.

Heinkel He 115A-2

The Swedish air force had twelve He 115s in service between 1939 and 1948 as torpedo bombers, designated T 2.

Klemm Kl 35

During 1939-40 the Swedish air force leased 14 Klemm Kl 35B, in 1942-44 13 Klemm Kl 35D. These were all designated Sk 15.

Between 1940 and 1947, 64 Klemm Kl 35D designated Sk 15A were operated by the air force, during the same time five other Kl 35D but designated Sk 15B and in 1941-47 five Klemm Kl 35DW as Sk 15C.

Saab Northrop 8-A 1

A single Douglas built Northrop 8-A 1 was delivered in 1938, it was given the designation B 5, later B 5A, and served as pattern for the licence production by Saab.

Starting in 1940, Saab built 64 as B 5B fitted with Nohab My XXIV engines and in 1941 38 as B 5C, with only minor differences.

The B 5A and a B 5B were fitted for target towing and were briefly designated B 5D, a designation which was deleted as aircraft, after being superceded as dive bombers by Saab B 17, were fitted for towing with no change in nomenclature.

The last ones were retired in 1950.

RWD-13

In September an example with Polish refugees landed in Sweden. It was purchased by the air force and remained in service until 1951, as a target tug but mostly for army transport. It's sometimes credited with the designation Tp 11, but it was never an official designation.

Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe

Four, of the variants Fw 58KJ-1, Fw 58KO-1 and Fw 58KO-2 were bought for evaluation in 1938 and given the designation P 6. They were transferred to the mapping agency, but operated by the air force until 1944. They were retired in 1949 with the final one stricken in 1957.

Handley Page Hampden Mk I

A single evaluation example was bought in 1938 and given the designation P 5 and wasn't retired until 1945. We couldn't buy any to use as bombers.

North American/Saab NA 16-4M

In 1937-49 54 North American and Saab built NA 16-4M served as trainers with the designation Sk 14. A further 83 Saab built examples, in service from 1942 to 1949, were designated Sk 14A.

As the Saab J 21 was introduced and had a nose gear, there was a need for a trainer with nose gear, so starting in 1945 23 NA 16-4M were rebuilt with nose gears and designated Sk 14N. The last of these were retired in 1949.

Gloster Gladiator

Sweden had 37 Gladiator Is in service between 1937 and 1942, designated J 8 and 18 Gladiator IIs between 1938 and 1945 as J 8A.

At the outbreak of the 1939-45 war in Europe, this was the mainstay of the Swedish fighter defence.

Twelve Gladiator IIs served with F 19 in Finland in 1940-41.

Junkers 86

First delivered in 1936, this became the air force's first aircraft with retractible landing gear. Designation was B 3. One also served as a transport aircraft with the designation Tp 9.

Focke-Wulf/ASJA/CVV Fw 44J Steiglitz

Two examples for evaluation in 1936, given the designation P 2, when adopted as a trainer in 1937, it was redesignated Sk 12. A total of 85 were used until 1946.

de Havilland DH 90 Dragonfly

A single example served, as Trp 3 between 1936 and 1942.

Hawker Hart

Three Hawker Harts entered service as S 7 in 1934, seven ASJA/CVM Harts as S 7A in 1936. In 1937 they were redesignated B 4 and B 4A, and a further 35 ASJA/CVM/Götaverken Harts were delivered starting in 1936. The last ones were retired in 1947. Five served in Finland in 1940-41.

Hawker Osprey

Six Hawker Ospreys, designated S 9, were operated from the aircraft carrying cruiser Gotland in 1934-42, but weren't finally retired until 1945.

Sparrmann S 1-A

10 aircraft of this type served with the air force between 1934 and 1945, designated P 1

Junkers Ju W 34h

Two, designated Trp 2A in service between 1933 and 1945. They were equipped with floats in summer and skis in winter and served as ambulance aircraft.

Junkers/Flygindustri Ju W 33g

A single example served from 1933 to 1935 as Trp 2. Its duty was as an ambulance aircraft.

de Havilland/ASJA DH 82 Tiger Moth

36 Tiger Moths

ASJA Typ 2

Two examples of this secondary or advanced trainer were in service between 1932 and 1940, with the designation Ö 9.

ASJA RK 26 Tiger-Schwalbe

25 in service from 1932 and ten years on, a single one lasted one until 1945. Designation was Sk 10.

de Havilland DH 60T Moth Trainer

Ten were in service between 1931 and 1936, designated Sk 9.

In the float configuration it was designated Sk 9H.

Bristol Bulldog

Eleven Bulldog II/IIA were in Swedish service as J 7 in 1930-40. Two of them were transferred to Finland in 1939.

Svenska Aero Jaktfalk

This was the first really good domestically designed fighter. In different versions it was designated J 5 and J 6. It was never purchased in large numbers by the air force.

Svenska Aero SA-13 Övningsfalken

A single example was operated between 1930 and 1937 as Ö 8.

Svenska Aero SA-12 Skolfalken

One example in service as Sk 8 between 1929 and 1938.

Svenska Aero SA-10 Piraten

One example in service as Ö 7 between 1928 and 1937.

Junkers/Flygindustri Ju F 13fe/F 13de

Three were purchased as ambulance aircraft in 1928, the last served until 1946. Designation was Trp 1.

Heinkel/Sv.Aero HD 19

Six of these, designated J 4, served with the air force in the years 1928-37.

Heinkel HD 16

Two were purchased for evaluation in 1928. They weren't very successful, partly because they were slow, partly due to lack of good airborne torpedos, but they served as nothing better was available until 1939.

They were flown both with floats and wheels.

FVM Phönix C.I E 3 Dront

Two in service as Ö 5 1928-30.

DH 60X/M Cirrus/Gipsy Moth

Two in service as Sk 7 1928-36.

Heinkel/CFM HD 36

One Heinkel built example in service as Sk 6 1927-39, 20 built by CFM and designated Sk 6A in service 1927-40, with the last one scrapped in 1943

Fokker/CVM C.VD/C.VE

A total of 48 served with the air force as fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, designated J 3 and S 6 from 1927, with the last retired in 1945.

HE 5 Hansa

A total of 34 in five different versions served between 1927 and 1945.

Svenska Aero HE 5 Hansa, S 5, four, 1927-36; Svenska Aero/CFV HE 5/t, S 5A, 22, 1928-41; CVV HE 5/t, S 5B, one, 1934-43; CVV HE 5/t TB, S 5C, nine, 1935-45; CVV HE 5/t TB, S 5D, four, 1937-45.

Gloster Grouse Mk II

One, ex army, was retained as Ö 3 until 1929.

FVM Albatros 160

The Albatros 160, designated Ö 2 as it differed from the Albatros 120 by having a more powerful engine, were taken over from the army. After 1930 they weren't used for training any more, the last one was scrapped in 1935.

Heinkel HE 4 Hansa

A single, ex-navy (since 1925), example served until 1931. Its designation was S 4.

CVM S 21/S 25

The air force had 16 of these ex-army (since 1925) aircraft in service, designated S 1, the last until 1932.

Nieuport-Delage ND 29C 1

Ten of these, starting service with the army in 1925 and retired from the air force in 1930, were designated J 2

Fiat BR.I

Designation B 2. Two in service 1925-37, ex army.

Fiat BR

Designation B 1. Three in service 1924-32, ex army.

Bristol F 2B

One ex army in service as Ö 6 was retired in 1934.

FVM Phönix C.I E 1 Dront

Designated Ö 4 16 of these served with the air force, the last retired in 1932.

Svenska Aero/CFS Heinkel S.II Hansa Brandenburg

Six ex-navy (since 1924), were in service, the last until 1934 as S 3.

Caspar/Sv.Aero/TDS Heikel S.I Hansa Brandenburg

Eight ex-navy (since 1923) served in the air force with the designation S 2, the last until 1929. The first was of typ 31, the remaining seven typ 32, as they were slightly different.

FMV Phoenix C.I E2

Designated A 1, the air force had 11 of these in service, two ex-army, the last retired in 1935.

FMV/Phönixwerke 122 D.III

A total of twelve served with the Swedish army starting in 1919. In air force service they were designated J 1 and the last was retired in 1933.

FVM/CFM 01 Tummelisa

The air force got to take over 24 of these ex-army advanced trainers, where they had been since 1919. Designation was Ö 1. In 1935 they were retired.

Heinkel HD 35

One, ex army, served as Sk 5 served until 1929. It wasn't used as a trainer, but as the personal aircraft of the head of the central flying school.

Heinkel/Svenska Aero HD 24

Two Heinkel built and four by Svenska Aero with 180 hp Mercedes engines were delivered starting in 1926, with the designation Sk 4.

Svenska Aero built two with Junkers L 5 engine, which were designated Sk 4A

Three Sk 4 were rebuilt with 240 hp Puma engines and given the designation Sk 4A.

The last one remained until 1939.

Avro 504 K

Five were taken over from the navy and designated Sk 3 and were used as trainers until 1928.

Friedrichshafen/TDS FF 33J

These had served with the navy since 1918, later as trainers, and of the four which were taken over by the air force as Sk 2 the last two remained until 1929.

Albatros 120/B.IIa

Thirteen of this type with the designation Sk 1 served with the air force until 1929.

Previously, the Albatross 120s had been with the army since 1920, the Albatross B.IIa with the navy.

In addition, the air force recieved a single aircraft of these types, which were never operated nor given designations:
FVM J 24B, ex-army, scrapped in 1931; Heinkel HE 3, ex-navy, scrapped in 1927; Macchi M.7, ex-army, retired in 1927; Siskin IIA, ex-army, scrapped in 1926; Avro 504N, ex-army, scrapped in 1927.

Military aviation
Last modified 2004-06-06 by Urban Fredriksson

griffon@canit.se