Trp 1 - Junkers F 13 Flying Ambulance (1928-1946)

Dr Hugo Junkers patented in 1910 his design of thick-section cantilever monoplane wings,  built in metal. During the twenties, the his F 13 low-winged aircraft with a single engine mounted in the nose and a fixed landing gear became what can be described as the most important European transport aircraft of its time. The F 13 was based on spars supported with welded duralumin tubes and covered in corrugated duralumin plating. This created a very rugged structure.  

This aircraft was strong and sturdy, easy to maintain and could be fitted with wheels, skis or floats. This made the type perfect for duties in isolated and remote areas as the interior parts of northern Sweden, a fact that the Swedish Red Cross had noticed. A F 13 aircraft was acquired and delivered to the organization in 1928.  

The F 13 was bought from AB Flygindustri (Afi), a company founded in 1925. It was located at Limhamn near Malmö in the south of Sweden. Officially, Afi was a Swedish enterprise that manufactured licence-built Junkers aircraft. In reality, it was a way for the Junkers company to pass over the restrictions concerning the manufacturing of aircraft in Germany which had been stated in the Versailles Treaty of 1919. Only 30 of the 155 aircraft delivered by Afi were built completely in Sweden.  The F 13 for the Swedish Red Cross was made by Junkers in Germany. However, the aircraft was modified for ambulance service at the factory in Sweden. Stretchers, seats for doctor and paramedic, suitable heating and ventilation etc. were installed. 

The aircraft - designated Trp 1 (later Tp 1) - was, as earlier ambulance aircraft, flown by crews from the Air Force. Two other Junkers F 13, also designated Trp 1 and given  the ”Ambulance Numbers” 2 and 3, were procured in second-hand from the civilian Swedish aviation company AB Aerotransport (ABA) in 1929.  

Ambulance No. 1 was from the beginning based at Boden in the north of Sweden. Later, it was re-based to F 4 at Frösön near Östersund. Ambulance No. 2 was also based at Frösön, while No. 3 served at F 2 at Hägernäs near Stockholm. As time went on, the three aircraft were replaced by the more powerful Trp 2 and Trp 2A (Junkers W 33 and W 34.  

The Trp 1 was fitted with a Junkers L 5 engine of 310 hp. 

Photo above of Ambulance No. 1 in 1928 at the waters outside Limhamn.

Length: 9,60 m. Span: 14,80 m. MTOW: 1.850 kg. Max. speed: 173 km/h.

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-07-15