Painting and markings
of Swedish military aircraft
Since the beginning in 1912, up to the present time
- a brief overview

1926 - The air force is created

To begin with, there was no change in markings. The naval aircraft remained as they were, and so did the ex-army ones.

In the 1926-27 period, more than half a dozen schemes were used, some as trials. Among them were black crowns, white crowns, white crowns with black edges, black crowns with white edges, blue/yellow/blue squares, white crowns on a black square and white numbers on black fields, black crowns on a square white field, black crowns on a white circle and more.

1927: m/27

On January 21:st new, common, regulations for the whole air force were adopted.

[The 1927 national insignia] The directions stated that the national insignias would consist of three black crowns on a white circle and rudders with yellow and blue vertical stripes, the yellow closest to the hinge. The white circles could be omitted on light backgrounds.

[Albatros trainer] Identification codes were to consist of one figure to denote its unit, followed by one to three figures for its identity within the unit.

0 was assigned to the Central Flying School, the numbers 1 to 4 to the wings F 1 to F 4. In 1929 the 0 for the school was changed to 5. The numeral 6 was i 1931 assigned to aircraft belonging to the central staff.

The renumbering took most of 1927, using different principles in different units. At F 2 a 2 was simply added in front of the old navy number. At F 3 the first numeral, denoting year, was replaced with a 3. When the S 6 entered service, they were numbered from 1 and up, the J 3s renumbered from 51 and up. At F 4 the number series started with 1 for S 1 and 51 for A 1. At F 5 was also different number series used for different types.

1928

[Bulldog in m/27] The old painting instructions remained as they were, which meant that trainers were pale yellow or aluminium, combat aircraft aluminium or green/brown camouflage, naval aircraft steel grey.

In July it was decided that all land based aircraft were to be painted aluminium all over. Naval aircraft to be steel grey.

1931: m/31

On Nov 3:rd new regulations were adopted which should be in effect before the end of the year.

According this system, the identification numeral should consist of four figures, the first as before denoting unit. The second the aircraft's type and main use in the following manner:
1 Bomber, torpedo, long range reconnaissance
2 Fighters
3 Reconnaissance
4 Maritime surveillance
5 Basic trainers
6 Advanced trainers
7 Transports

Figures three and four were to be the aircraft's number within the type and not unit, and were thus centrally assigned. So if transferred to another unit, the last three figures would remain the same. Were possible, aircraft retained their old numbers.

1932: m/32

Virtually the same regulations as stipulated in the m/31 order. Went in force in October 1932.

[Two Moths in the air] Starting in 1932 trainers were painted in a bright yellow and red scheme.

1935: m/35

With the July 2:nd regulations a serial number proper was introduced. It was to be put with small figures on the rear fuselage and remain the same throughout the aircraft's life. In most cases it was the same as the last three figures in the m/32 marking, but some changes were made:
1 Heavy bombers and torpedo bombers
2 Fighters
3 Reconnaissance
4 Maritime surveillance
5 Basic trainers
6 Advanced trainers
7 Light bombers
8 Trials, evaluation
9 Transport

(From 1940 the serial number was four figures on new aircraft. Starting in 1942 the present system, with five figures, the first two denoting aircraft type, was introduced.)

[] At the Central Flying School the busy air traffic made it desirable to not to mix up "6", "8" and "9", so there the "6" and "9" were modified to make them more different. From 1943 this model of figures were to be used at all wings.

The bold numerals were used in smaller sizes for the wing designations, the regular type face for individual numbers.

The tactical identification numbers were to be a figure for the unit in front of and the individual number behind the fuselage insignia.

These changes were to be implemented before July 1936.

1936

Trainers were starting to be painted with armour grey fuselages and orange wings.

The Ju 86s were painted in a German scheme as an exception to the aluminium scheme.

1937: m/37

[Orange/grey Steiglitz] To reduce the risk of confusion, the tactical numbers were changed so the unit number was to be to the left and the individual number to the right of the fuselage insignia, and also on the aircraft's nose (see the differently marked Moths above).

The yellow/blue bands on the rudder were deleted.

[The 1937 national insignia] The national insignias were changed to be yellow crowns with black outlines on a blue circle. This as a result of camouflage trials in 1935.

Unit number 6 stood for the central staff until 1938 and wing F 6 from 1940. Four leased Ju 52/3ms didn't belong to a specific unit and got the code TP.

The m/37 regulations also had a provision for tactical markings which weren't fully implemented. They consisted of lines and bands on the rear fuselage:

When the world situation heated up in 1938 these markings were painted over, at least by some units.

Starting in 1939 new trials were made in order to get a more functional system of markings, partly at the request of army air defence units. The m/37 commander markings were deemed unsuitable from a security standpoint.

Trials were made with different schemes, including squadron colour markings on spinners (red, yellow, blue) or as a band on the lower 2/3 of the fuselage behind the national insignia, and different coloured numerals depending on squadron (yellow, red, white, light blue, orange, black).

Better national insignias were also trialled: As m/37, as m/37 with yellow ring, reversed m/37 (blue=yellow) with and without blue ring. Blue/yellow wing leading edges were also tested.

Camouflage

In 1937-38 a standard camouflage scheme was adopted: Solid green upper surfaces and light bluegrey under surfaces.

Some types were to get a mottled "Italian style" camouflage.

Next: 1940 -

Swedish military aircraft markings 1912-

Document last updated 1999 May 07, 1999 Sep 28, 2000 Feb 01, 2000 Apr 28 by Urban

Photos used in this document are either by myself, Bernt Törnell or by various photographers and provided by Saab.

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