The museum holds the remains of a Douglas DC-3 that was missing for over 50 years before being recovered from the Baltic Sea.
It features a 'Cold War' exhibit that recreates a typical Swedish home from the 1950s to illustrate the era's pervasive civil defense preparations.
The collection includes the remains of the first Swedish-built jet fighter, the Saab 21R.
Many of the aircraft displayed are restored to airworthy or near-airworthy condition by the museum's specialized workshop team.
The museum is situated on the Malmen Air Base, which has served as a military aviation site since 1912.
The Swedish Air Force Museum in Linköping is a national museum dedicated to the history of the Swedish Air Force from its inception in 1912 to the present day. It houses an extensive collection of over 300 aircraft, including iconic models like the Saab 35 Draken and the JAS 39 Gripen. The museum features the 'DC-3 exhibit,' which displays the wreckage of a Swedish signal intelligence aircraft shot down by the Soviet Union in 1952. Visitors walk through immersive, historically-themed environments ranging from the early days of aviation to the Cold War era. The facility includes a research archive, a flight simulator, and interactive displays designed for all ages. It is located at Malmen, which remains an active military airfield. The architecture includes a large, climate-controlled hangar space that organizes the aircraft chronologically. It serves as a primary hub for Swedish aeronautical research and cultural preservation.
The elevated viewing platform overlooking the main hangar provides a panoramic shot of the stacked aircraft.
Use the flight simulators located in the interactive area to gain a pilot's perspective of the aircraft.
Follow the floor markings to ensure you experience the Cold War exhibit in the intended chronological sequence.
Check the museum's website for scheduled 'open cockpit' days when visitors can view interiors of specific aircraft.
Attempting to touch the aircraft surfaces, as the materials are sensitive to oils from human skin.
Closed on certain public holidays; check the website for specific seasonal adjusted hours.
