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This review will deal only with the public air show that took place at Malmen Air Base in Linköping, Sweden, on June 3 rd. Malmen Air Base is also the home of the famous Swedish Air Force Museum. For further information please clink on the link: http://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/
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Review of the Aerospace Forum will be in the October-November issue of The Magazine in detail. |
There were essentially two air shows: the VIP Air Show on June 2 nd and the public one on June 3 rd. The only difference were between the two were:
- the VIP one was reserved for media representatives, military delegations, spotter’s and employees of the Swedish Aerospace industry, especially SAAB, and their families.
- the public one had an additional solo display by a Saab Viggen, that was not seen on the previous day.
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The static had an interesting array of aircraft including some from foreign nations; from Hungary a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which belongs to the NATO Airlift Management Agency (NAMA) as part of the Strategic Airlift Capability initiative (SAC). Four of these aircraft were based in Hungary. The Danish Air Force brought an “ Aerospatiale AS. 550C2 Fennec” from Karup Air Base to Sweden. A nice line up of different Gripen’s from different countries; Saab JAS 39 Gripen from the Swedish Air Force, Thailand Air Force, South African Air Force, Hungarian Air Force and from the ETPS (Empire Test Pilot School). Malmen is the place to be if you are a Saab fan, this is the only place to see such classics as static: the Saab Gripen NG, Saab Tp 100, Saab 2000 Swordfish MPA, Saab Sk 60, Saab S 100B “Argus” (ASC 890 Platform), and to see a Saab B-17, a Saab Viggen or a Saab J-29 “Tunnan” flying. Other static included: Lockheed Tp 84 Hercules (C-130 E,) North American Tp 86 Sabreliner, Gulfstream IV S 102B Korpen, Klemm Sk 15 (Klemm-35), Focke Wulf Sk 12 “Stiglitz”, Douglas DC-3 “Daisy”, Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise (Support for Saab), and Hunting Tp 83 Pembroke. Helicopters included Eurocopter Super Puma, Agusta A 109 LUHS, Sikorsky Blackhawk UH-60M and many more. |
The display program had a good mix of fast jets, display teams and helicopters from the past to the present. Regrettably the Thulin A (which is a Swedish licensed built Bleriot XI by AETA - AB Enoch Thulins Aeroplanfabrik) owned by Mikael Carlson could not fly due to high winds. Mikael Carlson has two original Thulin A. Both are a masterpiece of mechanical engineering from the beginning of aviation. In Sweden this type was used as trainer in the years 1913-1919. However, Mikael Carlson did fly an aircraft in the sky over Malmen Air Base. The replica of the “Tumelisa”. This was the first project of Mikael Carlson between 1982 and 1984. In original the Swedish designer Henrik Kjellson developed this aircraft, and it was used after the end WWI to replace the Albatross fleet. A total of 28 aircraft were built and they were in service from 1919 to 1934. The replica uses an original 9 cylinder Le Rhone 80hp rotary engine, restored by Mikael himself. |
It was great to see and hear the two-ship formation of North American AT 16 (aka T-6) by the Swedish Air Force. It’s always nice to hear the sound of this air-cooled Pratt & Whitney, R-1340-AN-1 engines. They were followed by a Hercules and by a very rare aircraft: the worlds only airworthy dive bomber the Saab B-17A, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3G engine. Note; one of this aircraft were in Service by the Austrian Air Force (1957 – 1963), and 2 in Finland (1959 – 1960). After the impressive display of the Saab B-17A we could see a powerful demonstration from Utti, Finland, from the 1Hekop, ( Helikopteripataljoona =Helicopter battalion, which is part of the army) the NHI NH90 TTH, and after that we’re going back in time, and we have the very agile Alouette II from Norway on display. By this time the sunny weather changed, into dark cloudy, cold and wet however the inclement conditions did not prevented the organizers from continuing the event: the show went on! Wow!! |
Then the Saab J-29 Tunan, Saab Sk 60, Saab J-32 Lansen, Saab J-35 Draken, Saab J-37 Viggen, Saab J-39 Gripen started up their engines getting ready for the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight display. What sounds and the smells! While they took off and flew away to make the formation, we could see a Pitts S2A, a demonstration with the Hkp 14 (NHI NH90TTH) together with the Hkp 16 (Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk). By the time the historic Saab formation flew by and made three passes it was so dark, that we could see only black aircraft against a dark gray sky. Regardless of the dark skies, the show continued with Rainer Wilke from the “Flying Bulls” who conjured up a wonderful program in the sky, followed by the Solo display of the Saab J-29 Tunnan. Another unique formation was next. The two ship formation made up of a Saab J-32 Lansen together with a Hawker J 34 Hunter. One highlight followed by the another, what an excellent air show! During the display of these two old warbirds, one brand new Saab JAS 39 Gripen from the South African Air Force and nine Saab Sk 60 on lined up on the taxiway, and waited for the clearance to take off. As the Saab J-29 approached the runway, with landing gear out, upon landing blow out the left tire, but no drama the aircraft moves straight slowly. The service team came quickly with their Volvo truck and the technicians changed the tire. Half an hour later, the Gripen and the Sk 60s got permission for takeoff. In between the organizers brought a four ship formation with the “Super Puma”, “NHI NH90 TTH”, “Agusta A 109” and the Sikorsky Blackhawk” for a small display in the air. |
Then we saw the display by the more than exotic, South African Air Force “SAAB Gripen”. Followed by two flypass of the nine ship formation of Saab Sk 60. After a split we could see the six ship formation from the Team 60, with their display program. Followed by a fabulous Tactical Ground Display from the Swedish Armed Forces. Involved were two “Blackhawks”, two “NHI NH90 TTH”, two “Agusta A 109” and one “Super Puma”. This was followed by North American Mustang and a Spitfire, and by the Baltic Bees from Latvia performed their program. From Lithuania we could see a SU-26, and by the Breitling Wing Walkers in their Boeing Stearman took off. The ladies were not to be envied in the cold weather –they must have been freezing! The next highlight was a four ship formation of Saab JAS-39 Gripen, while the next display team from Switzerland were taxiing in their PC-7s. They flow a perfect display despite the weather. This is Swiss perfection, like Swiss clockwork. Perfect! The last act of the event was the solo display from the amazing Saab J-35 Draken. Afterburner on, and up in the sky, or better clouds! The pilot impressed the public with his display. It’s a really rare to see this plane in the sky. With this solo display from a Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen the show was over. What an event, too bad about the weather. |
ASR would like to say thank you to Anna Lindh, Head of PR & Communications Aerospace Forum Sweden, and the organization's team, who did such a perfect job. Congratulation for a great show! Our tanks also goes to the pilots, technicians and engineers from Swedish Air Force Historic Flight and all the other men and women behind them who made it all possible. |
Some of the participants were:
- Swedish Air Force Historic Flight
- The Baltic Bees from Latvia
- PC-7 Swiss Aerobatic Team
- Swedish Armed Forces Tactical Ground Display
- NHI NH90 TTH Helicopter battalion from Finland
- Breitling Wing Walkers
- and so many more...
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Rating: 9 out of 10 (due to weather otherwise it would have been a 10+!) |
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