The T 1 was not a success, but had at least given the experience that a new torpedo aircraft had to be twin engined. The choice for the successor to the T 1 fell on another Heinkel design, the He 115. Twelve aircraft of the variant Heinkel He 115 A-2 were ordered in the summer of 1938. The dozen Heinkels were delivered to Wing F 2 at Hägernäs near Stockholm from April to October 1939. The Swedish designation was T 2. They got the Air Force numbers 101-112. Further six aircraft were ordered, but were never delivered due to the outbreak of WWII.
About 400 He 115 were manufactured between 1937 and 1944. All, except six aircraft for Norway and the twelve for Sweden, were built for the German Luftwaffe. He 115 was a big aircraft with weak defensive armament. It was an easy prey for the Allied fighter aircraft and suffered from heavy losses.
The variant for the Swedish Air Force, He 115 A-2 was equipped with two BMW 132 K engines, each delivering 850 hp. This engine was a German licence manufactured Pratt Whitney Hornet. The armament consisted of two moveable 8 mm machine guns and one torpedo m/38 or m/41. As an alternative to the torpedo, two 250 kg bombs could be carried. The crew consisted of three; pilot, observer and radio operator/gunner.
The trials were very successful. The He 115 showed itself to be a sturdy aircraft that behaved well both in the air and on water. They made an invaluable contribution to the neutrality guard during the WWII. Except for torpedo launchings missions, the aircraft also were intended to be used as a bomber, smoke screening and long distance reconnaissance missions. Unfortunately, five of the twelve aircraft were lost behind repair in crashes.
On the 9th of April 1940, Germany occupied both Denmark and the most important parts of Norway in a lightning attack -operation Weserübung. In connection to this, Germany dictated a number of terms to Sweden, terms which were impossible for the Swedish government to agree with. The Germans demanded, for instance, that Sweden did not mobilize further troops. Germany demanded also Sweden to let three railway trains each of 30-40 wagons loaded with war material to be transferred trough Sweden to Narvik.
The Swedish refusal resulted in a crisis in the relationship between Sweden and Germany. As a war situation seemed possible, the T 2s left their permanent base at Hägernäs. They were relocated to Gålö, a war base in the archipelago south of Stockholm. The work to enlarge the Gålö base started immediately. Until more workshops and living quarters were built ashore, the navy ships Dristigheten and Rane was use as floating accommodation.
As alternative bases, Märsgarn (south of Gålö), Gryt and Loftahammar were also used during the years of preparedness.
Other war bases were also used. The widespread archipelago provided many suitable places for operations and good camouflage of the aircraft and equipment.
The aircraft were based off F 2 at Hägernäs until the WWII was over.
The aircraft commander/observer of No. 106 looks out for orders.
No. 106 before take-off.
Fighting face of the pilot of aircraft 107.
The observer (normally commander of the aircraft) at his position in the nose. Note the eccentric mounted 7,9 mm machine gun.
The legendary aviator Albin Ahrenberg (1889 – 1968.) takes a step on the wing of a T 2. Around 1930, Ahrenberg made himself a name after some daring flights to Greenland. In the twenties and the thirties, Albin Ahrenberg made innumerable and always faultless sightseeing flights all over the country – creating a great goodwill for aviation among the Swedish people.
During the years of WWII, the popular Ahrenberg, from the beginning a naval aviator, served as base commander at Gålö. He often flew the T 2 himself.
One of the shelters at Gålö.
Summer in the archipelago of Stockholm. Idyllic, but the war is not far away. T 2 No. 102 at readiness at the beautiful shore of Gålö.
No. 109 before take-off. Note the torpedo raft at the extreme right.
Mechanics working with cylinder and exhaust pipe in the sun outside a workshop tent at Gålö.
Engine overhaul in summer 1940.
No. 106 in a hide-away along the shore.
The Squdron parading in the open waters east-north-east of the Gålö base. Note the moored navy ship in the background (yellow circle) -HMS Dristigheten. This ship was built in 1901 as a 1st class armoured vessel. In 1927 she was converted into an aircraft depot ship. Her heavy and medium guns were removed and she got a larger th deckhouse with space for workshops etc. A heavy crane was fitted for hoisting aircraft aboard.
When F 2 rebased to Gålö in 1940, Dristigheten was initially used as a receiving ship.
To the right of Dristigheten, you can see the main base area at Gålö. Compare with the chart below!
Chart over Stockholm area. Hägernäs, ordinary base of F2 at top.
HMS Dristigheten with aircraft aboard.
The Lucerna War Base
The island of Lucerna , or as it sometimes was spelled – Luzerna - was incorporated to the town of Västervik in 1906.
During the thirties, the island of Lucerna was chosen as wartime base for the naval Air Force Wing F 2, which had its main base at Hägernäs near Stockholm . At the outbreak of WWII in 1939, no permanent facilities for the aviation existed on the island. Nevertheless, it was used frequently by the 3rd Squadron of F 2 as base for duties as neutrality guard and escort of shipping convoys. Hawker Osprey (S 9) aircraft were initially used.
The harbour at Lucerna had the advantage to have open water in the winter when other bases like Gålö were impossible to use due to the ice situation. A group of the 2nd Squadron of F 2 was based at Lucerna from time to time. They flew the modern T 2 and were also used as neutrality guard and protection of shipping, mainly convoys of ships laden with iron ore for Germany .
In 1941, the personnel were accommodated aboard the aircraft depot ship HMS Dristigheten and the steamer S/S Rane. Two years later, a permanent base was built on the island. Jetties for mooring, a slipway and a concrete apron with space for four aircraft were constructed. Barracks to accommodate flying and ground personnel, a store and a workshop were built.
Other types of aircraft were also based at Lucerna during the war. S5 Hansa, Tp 8 Waco, S 12 He 114 and the most modern of them all; the SAAB S17BS.
After the war, the facilities at Lucerna were used by a civil aviation company (Ostkustflyg) for some years.
The island of Lucerna is now famous for housing the biggest gas turbine in the world. The deep-water harbour of Västervik is located at the island.
The drawing below by Lars E. Lundin shows the base as it appeared in 1943.
A T 2 is flying low over the jetties from the north.