J.Forsgren Swedish Military Aircraft 1911-1926 (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 68)

Thulin D

  The Morane-Saulnier Parasol built under licence, two Thulin D’s were purchased using funds collected by the Society for Women of Skane Province. Completed in early 1915, the first production Thulin D was displayed in Stockholm in May 1915 at an exhibition organized by Sveriges Aeronautiska Sallskap (Swedish Aeronautical Society, SAS). This Thulin D had a completely rectangular fuselage, similar to the French Morane-Saulnier Parasol. The four subsequent production airplanes featured a more rounded forward fuselage.
  Initially powered by a 50 h.p. Gnome engine, this had been exchanged for a 80 h.p. Gnome by September 5, when the airplane was handed over to the AFK. Issued with the serial number 15, the Thulin D was considered particularly useful for observation and artillery spotting: ”As this particular type of airplane during trials over the winter and spring of this year, it has shown itself eminently suitable for warfare during Swedish conditions, the Corps Commander hereby submit a request on behalf of the Crown to receive the offered airplane of the suggested type.”
  The second Thulin D was handed over on July 3, 1916, becoming serial number 19. Tragically, this Thulin D was lost in a fatal crash at Skillingaryd just over two weeks later, on July 19. Both the pilot, Lieutenant Karl Mannstrom and the observer, Lieutenant Magnus Kruse, were killed. The cause of the crash was due to a broken rudder.
  Formally struck off charge in April 1918, Thulin D serial number 15 was obtained by the Friends of Finland Society, and secretly sent by rail to Finland on March 18/19, 1918. With the Civil War raging in Finland, many Swedish citizens felt a strong committment to support the White’ Army, which fought against the Bolzhevik ’Red’ Army. With the Swedish government maintaining a policy of neutrality, several airplanes were smuggled to Finland through various enterprising individuals. The Thulin D was given the identification number F3 (short for Flygmaskin 3, ie Airplane Number 3). Nine days after arriving in Finland, the Thulin D crashed at Orives after the engine caught fire.
  Incidentally, another Thulin D was the first airplane to enter service with the Suomen Ilmavoimat (Finnish Air Force). Donated by the Count Eric von Rosen, the Thulin D was flown from Umea to Vasa on March 6, 1918. The ’lucky sign' of Count von Rosen, a Swastika, was painted on the airplane. Until 1945, the Swastika became the national insignia of the Finnish Air Force. During the 1980’s, a full-scale Thulin D reproduction was constructed. It is on display at the Finnish Air Force Museum at Jyvaskyla.

Thulin D Technical Data and Performance Characteristics
   Engine: 1 x 80 h.p. Gnome rotary engine
   Length: 6,5 m
   Wingspan: 11,00 m
   Height: 3,1 m
   Wing area: 18,00 m2
   Take-off weight: 635 kg
   Maximum speed: 115 km/h