Flygkompaniet's fabric workshops Malmslätt
FVM S 21
The FVM S‑21 was a light, single‑engine trainer and liaison aircraft produced in the early 1930s by Flygkompaniet’s fabric workshops in Malmslätt, Sweden. Developed under the auspices of the Swedish Army Aviation School, the S‑21 was intended to replace ageing wooden biplanes with a more modern, low‑cost platform suitable for basic pilot instruction and short‑range communication duties. Its airframe was built from a mixed construction of steel tube fuselage and wooden wings covered with fabric, a combination that gave a favourable strength‑to‑weight ratio and simplified field repairs. Powered by a 150 hp Wright J‑5 radial engine, the aircraft delivered a respectable 165 km/h cruising speed, a service ceiling of 5 200 m and a range of roughly 600 km. The cockpit accommodated two seats in tandem, offering excellent visibility for both instructor and student. Although only a limited production run of twenty‑four examples was completed before the program was discontinued in 1935, the S‑21 proved influential in Swedish aviation by demonstrating the practicality of mixed‑material construction and by providing a reliable training tool that helped shape the next generation of Swedish military pilots. Its legacy lives on in the design philosophies of later Saab trainers.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 8.75 metre
- Height
- 3.45 metre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 30
- First Flight
- 1922