Colours of the Swedish Air Force

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Marcus Karlsson
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Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 21 May 2013, 17:52

The Swedish Air Force was formed from the Army Air Service and the Naval Air Service in 1926. The Air Force Units recived Colours of a simliar pattern: Blue with a Crowned Twobladed Propeller in the middle with a Unit Symbol in the upper inner Corner. Pictures is from the Book "Svenska flygvapnets förband och skolor under 1900-talet" by Christian Braunstein, Statens försvarshistoriska museer 2005.


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Kungl. Västmanlands flygflottilj (The Royal Västmanland Air Force Wing) (F 1), the Colour was presented at the Gärdet in Stockholm by HM King Gustaf V on 16 June 1938. Following the disbandment of F 1 in 1983 the Colour was transferred to F 16 and later to the Army Museum. The burning Mountain is from the Arms of the Province of Västmanland. The Wing was raised on 1 July 1929 and disbanded on 30 June 1983.

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Kungl. Roslagens flygflottilj (The Royal Roslagen Air Force Wing) (F 2), the Colour was presented at the F 8 base at Barkarby on 6 June 1939 by HM King Gustaf V. The Orb is from the Arms of the Province of Uppland as the Roslagen Area doesn't have any Arms and forms part of Uppland. Today its kept at the Army Museum. F 2 was raised 1 July 1926 as the 2. flygkåren (2nd Air Corps) but originated as the Marinens flygtjänsts vinterflygskola (Naval Air Service's Winter Flying School) at Hägernäs established in 1919. On 1 July 1936 it was named Kungl. Upplands flygflottilj (Royal Uppland Air Force Wing) but changed it's name two months later to the Kungl. Roslagens flygflottilj (Royal Roslagen Air Force Wing). In 1949 F 2 was reorganized into a Training Establishment and renamed Kungl. Roslagens flygkår (Royal Roslagen Air Corps). This was disbanded on 30 June 1974.

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Kungl. Östgöta flygflottilj (The Royal Östgöta Air Force Wing) (F 3), the Colour was presented at the F 8 Base at Barkarby on 6 June 1939 by HM King Gustaf V. The Griffin and Roses is from the Arms of the Province of Östergötland. F 3 originated as the Arméflygskolan (Army Flying School) or the Ing 3 Detachment from 1913 based at Malmen in Linköping. In 1916 the Detachment become the Fälttelegrafkårens flygkompani (Flying Company of the Field Telegraph Corps) becomning the 3. flygkåren (3rd Air Corps) upon the forming of the Air Force in 1926. On 1 September 1936 F 3 became the Kungl. Östgöta flygflottilj (Royal Östgöta Air Force Wing). Disbanding on 30 June 1974, a detachment survived first under the F 13 and later under the F 16 Wings. Today the Former F 3 base at Malmen is used by the Försvarsmaktens helikopterflottilj (Helicopter Wing of the Defence Forces).
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:09, edited 6 times in total.

Marcus Karlsson
Posts: 975
Joined: 13 Jul 2012, 08:52
Location: Sweden

Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 21 May 2013, 17:55

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Kungl. Krigsflygskolan (Royal War Flying School) (F 5), the colour was presented on the F 8 base at Barkarby by HM King Guataf V on 6 June 1939.
F 5 was raised on 1 July 1926 at Ljungbyhed where flying activities had begun in 1910 and between 1915-1920 the Enoch Thulin Flying School was active there. F 5 was disbanded on 30 June 1998, but it was at the same time transformed into the Flygskolan (Air Force Flying School).

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The new colour with the Badge from the School Arms was presented in Ljungbyhed by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf on 25 August 1996. Today it is carried by the AF Flying School.

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Kungl. Västgöta flygflottilj (Royal Westrogothia Air Force Wing) (F 6), the Colour was presented by HRH Prince Gustaf Adolf at the F 6 base in Karlsborg on 5 December 1940. The F 6 Wing was raised 1 July 1939 and disbanded on 30 June 1994. The Lion and Star badge is from the Provincial Arms of Västergötland.

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Kungl. Svea flygflottilj (Royal Skaraborg Air Force Wing) (F 7), the Colour was presented at the F 7 base at Såtenäs in 1943 by HRH Prince Gustaf Adolf. The Badge is based on the Västergöland Lion without the stars as the County of Skaraborg had used the Arms of the Province of Västergötland. On the F 7 Colour the Stars was removed to create a difference from the F 6 Colour. The F 7 Wing was raised 1 July 1940.

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Kungl. Svea flygflottilj (Royal Svea Air Force Wing) (F 8), the Colour was presented at the F 8 base at Barkarby on 6 June 1939 by HM King Gustaf V. On 1 June 1974 it was transferred to the F 1 and in 1990 to the Army Museum. The Colour shows the St Eric's head from the Arms of Stockholm. Since 1999 it is kept at the Former F 8 Officer's Mess. The F 8 Wing was raised 1 June 1938 orignaly with the designation Kungl. Stockholms flygflottilj (Royal Stockholm Air Force Wing). In 1961 the Wing was reduced to F 8 Depot and in 1963 it became Kungl. Svea flygkår (Royal Svea Air Corps) which mainly was a Anti Aircraft Missile Unit with two Sqns equiped with the British "Bloodhound". In 1962 it became the first Air Force Unit to recive Helicopters. On 30 june 1974 F 8 was disbanded.
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:18, edited 1 time in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 25 May 2013, 10:44

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Kungl. Jämtlands flygflottilj (Royal Jämtland Air Force Wing) (F 4), the colour was presented at the Barkarby base of F 8 by HM King Gustaf V on 6 June 1939. The Elk attacked by the Eagle and Dog is from the Arms of the Province of Jämtland. F 4 was raised 1 July 1926 as the 4. flygkåren (4th Air Corps) becoming Kungl. Jämtlands flygflottilj (Royal Jämtland Air Force Wing) on 1 July 1936. The Wing was disbanded on 31 December 2004.

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The new F 4 Colour was presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf at Frösön (The F 4 base) on 2 September 2001. The Buck from the Arms of the Province of Hälsingland denoting heritage from the former F 15 Wing. Following the disbandment of the F 4 Wing the colour was transferred to the F 21 Wing.
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:21, edited 1 time in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 25 May 2013, 10:46

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Kungl. Göta flygflottilj (Royal Gotha Air Force Wing) (F 9), the Colour with the "Göta Lion" was presented at the F 9 base at Göteborg-Säve by HRH Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf on 13 October 1941. F 9 was raised in 1941 and disbanded on 30 June 1969.

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Kungl. Skånska flygflottiljen (Royal Scanian Air Force Wing) (F 10), the Colour with the Scanian Griffin's Head was presented at the F 8 Base at Barkarby by HM King Gustaf V on 17 September 1944. F 10 was raised in 1940 and disbanded 31 December 2002.

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Kungl. Södermanlands flygflottiljen (Royal Södermanland Air Force Wing) (F 11), the Colour was presented at the Great Square in the F 11 Garrison Town of Nyköping on 22 May 1942 by HRH Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf. Today it is kept at the Army Museum. The Griffin is from the provincial Arms of Södermanland. The Ticture is however changed from Black to Yellow to make it stand out on the Blue Field. F 11 was raised on 1 July 1941 and disbanded on 30 June 1980.

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Kungl. Kalmar flygflottilj (Royal Kalmar Air Force Wing) (F 12), the Colour was presented by HM King Gustaf V at the F 8 Base at Barkarby on 17 September 1944. The Tower, Stars and Waves are from the Arms of the City of Kalmar. These are the oldest municipal Arms in Sweden dating from 1250. F 12 was raised on 1 July 1942 and disbanded on 30 June 1980.
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:26, edited 1 time in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 31 May 2013, 12:38

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Kungl. Bråvalla flygflottilj (Royal Bråvalla Air Force Wing) (F 13), the Colour was presented at the F 8 Base at Barkarby by Hm King Gustaf V on 17 September 1944. Today it is kept at the Army Museum. During the Years 1974-94 and 1980-94 the Colours of the F 3 and F 11 was kept at the Wing as it preserved the traditions of these two Wings. F 13 was raised 1 July 1943 at the Bråvalla Gård (hence the name) near Norrköping (hence the St. Olof badge from the City Arms) and disbanded 30 June 1994.

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Kungl. Hallands flygflottilj (Royal Halland Air Force Wing) (F 14), the Colour bearing the Lion from the provincial Arms of Halland was presented at the same time as the F 13 Colour. The raising of F 14 was ordered on 17 June 1942 and was declared operative on 2 July 1945. On 1 October 1961 F 14 was converted into a Ground Training Organization, Flying activities having ceased the day before. The new F 14 was given the name Hallands flygkår (Halland Air Corps) becoming the Flygvapnets Halmstadsskolor (Air Force Halmstad Schools) on 1 December 1972. In 1999 the name was changed to the Försvarsmaktens Halmstadsskolor (Armed Forces Halmstad Schools).

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This was the new Colour presented to the Air Force Halmstad Schools by HRH Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland in May 1972. The three crowned Hearts is from the Arms of the City of Halmstad. The original F 14 was kept as a tradition Colour. Both Colours was kept upon the namechange in 1999. In 2004 the Armed Forces School Halmstad was in 2004 merged with the Arméns tekniska skola (Army Technical School) and part of the Örlogsskolorna (Naval Schools) to form the Försvarsmaktens tekniska skola (Armed Forces Technical School). I have no information at present how this affected the Colour situation.
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 11:07, edited 2 times in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 03 Jun 2013, 16:11

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Kungl. Hälsninge flygflottilj (Royal Hälsinge Air Force Wing) (F 15), the Colour was presented at the F 15 base in Söderhamn by the C.-in-C. of the Air Force Lieutenant General Bengt Nordenskiöld. The Buck is from the provincial Arms of Hälsingland. F 15 was raised 1943 and became operative on 1 July 1945 and disbanded in 1998.

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Kungl. Upplands flygflottilj (Royal Uppland Air Force Wing) (F 16), the first Colour was presented at the F 8 in Barkarby by HM King Gustaf V on 17 September 1944. As the Orb from the Uppland Arms was at the time used on the Colour of F 2 and "Vase" from the Royal Arms was instead used on the Colour of F 16. The Wing was raised on 1 July 1943 and disbanded on 31 December 2003.

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On 30 April 1996 a new Colour was presented at the Stockholm Artillery Yard by the Supreme Commander General Owe Wiktorin. Now the Orb from the Uppland Arms was placed on the Colour as F 2 was no more. The Sevenpointed star denotes that F 16 upheld the traditions from seven disbanded Wings (F 1, F 2, F 3, F 8, F 11, F 13 and F 18).
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:36, edited 1 time in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 03 Jun 2013, 16:14

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Kungl. Blekinge flygflottilj (Royal Blekinge Air Force Wing) (F 17), the first Colour was presented at the F 8 base Barkarby by HM King Gustaf V on 17 September 1944. The Oak with three Crowns is from the provincial Arms of Blekinge. F 17 was raised 1 July 1944 and is still operative.

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On 15 April 2004 HM King Carl XVI Gustaf presented a new Colour to F 17 at it's base Kallinge. To the Blekinge Oak has been added symbols of the disbanded Wing s whose traditions are kept by F 17. The Griffin's head for F 10, the Tower for F 12 and the Eagle for F 5.

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Kungl. Södertörns flygflottilj (Royal Södertörn Air Force Wing) (F 18), the Colour was presented in 1948 and is today kept at the Army Museum. . Södertörn is an area south of Stockholm divided into the Provinces of Uppland and Södermanland, hence the Griffin of the later holding the Orb of the former. Today the Colour is kept at the Army Museum. F 18 was ordered raised in 1944 but obtained operational status only on 1 July 1946. In 1974 flying operations ceased (a Squadron from F 16 was however based at the former F 18 Airfield until 1985) and F 18 was converted into the Ground Training Unit The Flygvapnets Södertörnsskolor (Air Force Södertörn Schools). This later Unit was disbanded on 1 July 1986.

The F 19 Wing was the Swedish Volunteer Air Unit sent to support Finland during the Soviet-Finnish Winter War 1939-1940. As a temporary unit it never recived a Colour.
Last edited by Marcus Karlsson on 02 Jul 2016, 10:41, edited 1 time in total.

Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 09 Jun 2013, 14:22

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Flygvapnets Uppsalaskolor (The Air Force Uppsala Schools) (F 20), the first Colour was presented at F 8 Barkarby by HM King Gustaf V on 17 September 1944. F 20 was raised as the Royal Air Cadet School on 18 april 1944, becoming in 1966 the Royal Air Force War School and in 1982 the Air Force War College. In 1985 F 20 recieved it last name, it was disbanded on 31 December 2004 and replaced by the newly formed Air Combat School.

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A Colour of this pattern with the Arms of F 20 instead of the Wreath and Crowns was presented on 9 april 1974. It was replaced on 2 September 1994 by a new one of the same pattern. The 1994 colour was presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf. This Colour is today used by the Air Combat School.

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Kungl. Norrbottens flygflottilj (Royal Norrbotten Air Force Wing) (F 21), the Colour bearing the Crossed Keys from the Arms of the Garrison Town Luleå was presented at the same time as the first F 20 Colour. F 21 was raised on 1 March 1941 as the Royal Norrbotten Air Base Group and raised to Wing Status only on 1 July 1963, having gained it's first own Squadron in 1949.

F 21 was the last permanent Air Force Wing formed, but for duties with the UN in the Congo during the 1960ies F 22 was temporarily raised. F 22 was not presented with a Colour due to it's temporary status.

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Flygvapnets Centrala skolor (Air Force Central Schools). The Schools was raised 1942 in Västerås, from 1959 the Schools began transferring to F 14 and with the transfer completed AFCS was disbanded in 1961. The Colour was also transferred to F 14 upon disbandment.

Marcus Karlsson
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Joined: 13 Jul 2012, 08:52
Location: Sweden

Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 02 Jul 2016, 10:57

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The New Colour of the F 7 Wing, to the old Västergötland Lion has in the lower inner corner been added the Gotha Lion of the F 9 Wing. Denoting that F 7 is keeper of the traditions of also the F 9.

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Nailing Ceremony at the Army Museum of the new F 21 Colour. To which hade been added the Moose attacked by a Falcon and dog for heritage form the F 4 Wing and the Buck for heritage from the F 15 Wing.

Marcus Karlsson
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Joined: 13 Jul 2012, 08:52
Location: Sweden

Re: Colours of the Swedish Air Force

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 02 Jul 2016, 11:06

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Colour of the Helikoperflottiljen (Helicopter Wing). Formed 1 January as Försvarsmaktens helikopterflottilj (Defence Forces Helicopter Wing) 1998 by uniting the Helicopter Units of the Air Force, Army and Navy. The Colour was presented by the then Supreme Commander General Sverker Göransson 27 May 2009, up till then the Ostrogotha Army Flying Battalion Colour (see the thread Heraldic Regimental Colours of the Swedish Armed Forces) had been used. The Pegasus is from the Armorial Bearings of the Wing, the single Winged Sword denote the Army Flying Service, the Winged Anchor and Gun Barrels denote the Naval Flying Service and the Winged Propeller the Air Force.


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