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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1123.PDF
July iind, 1948 FLIGHT By Wing Cdr. Maurice A. Smith, D.F.C. Sweden's Air Defences Impression Following a Visit to a Swedish Squadron : Vampires in Service and for Training SWEDEN is at present engaged in re-equipping,regrouping and reorganizing its Air Force. A singlegeneration has seen a complete change in outlookforced upon this small, advanced and cultured nation by the development of aerial weapons and as a result of the late war. A common border was shared with Norway; a friendly Germany and Denmark faced the populated southern areas of Sweden across the narrow stretches of the Baltic and Kattegat, while in the far north mountain, forest, snow and darkness were effective defence against invasion. Now the old natural defences count for little, Germany counts for even less, and Finland is something of a question- mark in the North. Therefore, it has seemed to Sweden that if she is to be ready to meet any threat to her in- dependence, the time has come to concentrate on building up a powerful defensive air force. The recent Swedish defence estimates are indicative of the country's attitude towards air defence. 125 million kroner are voted for new supplies for the Air Force, 45 million kroner for the Army and 20 million kroner for the Navy. An additional 15 million is also voted for Naval artillery of the coastal defence type. Thus, the sum voted for the Air Force equipment is greater than the combined total for the Army and Navy. Plans provide for the con- version of Vastmanlands (Fi) medium-bomber wing to night-fighter duties, and the Ostgdta (F3) tactical recon- naissance wing to day fighters. The Roslagens (F2) wing, which was,also engaged on tactical reconnaissance, is shut down. The torpedo-bomber wing at Blekinge (F17) is to become an attack wing. The total resources are ten day- fighter wings, of which three are to have a 50 per cent strength increase; one night fighter wing; a strike force of four wings; and one reconnaissance wing. In addition, an Air Force radar school is to be founded. First and most important units to receive attention are the fighter squadrons and fighter O.T.U.s which axe now equipped with J2IS, J22S, Mustangs and Vampires. Seventy Vampires were ordered in Januafy/'ig^^ and all had been successfully flight-delivered by August, 1947. A new order for Vampire* 3S*ljas since* bee^-piaced, the exttfat^©f*which is secret, but th"e Qqfolin engines fot'which will be built under licence in Sweden. The production of these engines will give Svenska Flygmotor Ab valuable experience in preparation for production of Ghosts for the latest Swedish fighter design, the J29, and for turbines of their own design. Most of the J22S (a Swedish single-seater with home-built Twin Wasps) have now been replaced, and the J21 order has been completed. The later jet variant, the J21RS, are just going into production to provide Sweden with a second Goblin-powered interceptor and ground attack aircraft. Variants of the twin-engine B18 are used for medium- bomber, reconnaissance and strike duties, and this design, resembling the Mosquito, would be a valuable all-rounder in emergency. Air Force Administration The Swedish Royal Air Force has existed as an independ- ent force since 1926, and the Commander-in-Chief is Lt.- Gen. B. G. Nordenskiold. He is subordinate only to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. Under him is the Royal Air Board of which he is the senior mem- ber, and which undertakes many of the duties, such as the ordering of aircraft, engines, and equipment, and the main- tenance of airfields and buildings, which are the responsi- bilities of our Ministry of Supply. The deputy chief of the Royal Air Board, Maj. Gen. N. O. F. S&derberg, may be jjegarded as the counterpart of our Controller of Supplies (Air). There is also an Air Staff of which Col. G. A. West- ring is" the chief, and in,.which there are departments similar to the directorates under our own Chi^f of Air Staff. These are for control of operations, training,-organization, signals, personnel, accident prevention, meteorology, staff, and Vampires must be operated from snow-covered fields for many months of the year.
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