Swedish Air Force in WWII

[Mothrider]

Good day, good people,

I am new to this site and have been browsing around; very impressed by the level of knowledge and enthusiasm.

I wondered if anyone who knows a bit about the RSAF in WWII, or who perhaps knows a Swedish Air Force historian, might be able to help me. (This might be a harder than usual question to help on!)

I understand that much of the RSAF was based in southern Sweden in the last few years of the war, mainly to deter incursions, and to escort crippled belligerent aircraft to Swedish bases when required. However, with German assets (like Tirpitz, and airfields like Bardufoss) in northern Norway, the Swedes must have had some up to date assets in the north of the country to guard against 'eventualities', perhaps at Kalixfors, near Kiruna. I am trying to find out what Swedish aerial defence was available in the Kiruna area in July 1944 and would be very grateful if anyone knows, or knows someone who knows, what this might have comprised.

Thanks in anticipation - any info most welcome.

Dave

[MacHarvard]

Dave, you might as well go straight to the source. Any Swede under the age of about 70 speaks english to some degree. When Mike Östberg and I wrote a book about the ASJA/SAAB Sk 14 (a licence built BT-9), we got a lot of help from the Swedish Aviation Historical Society. Their website/forum is at http://www.flyghistoria.org/english/engelska.htm

Doug

[Mothrider]

Hi Doug,

Thanks very much for your reply - much appreciated. I have actually encountered the society before, and looked at joining. It was only the 87 dollar fee that put me off; a bit high for my particular purpose, so I was hoping to be able to find someone who might help without my facing that kind of fee...

So, I'm still hanging in there hopefully...!

Best regards,
Dave

[JDK]

Interesting question.

Re Doug's suggestion, it can't hurt to ask anyway! I'm a member of a number of organisations, but almost always received excellent help for free or costs alone from other groups when I've asked. I always explain what I'm asking for (usually publication, sometimes research for a warbird or historic aircraft) and offer to supply any resultant publication/s etc and thanks and acknowledgement.

Hope that helps, and welcome to WIX!

[Mothrider]

Hi James,

Thanks very much for your advice, which I have followed!

I will post back if anything useful comes from my request.

And thanks very much for the welcome! Much appreciated!

Best regards,

David