AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Aircraft manufacturing |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Founder | AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna |
| Defunct | 1939 |
| Fate | Merged into Svenska Aeroplan AB (Saab) |
| Successor | Svenska Aeroplan AB (Saab) |
| Headquarters | Linköping , Sweden |
Area served | Sweden |
| Products | ASJA F1, ASJA L1 Viking, ASJA L2 (Ö 9), ASJA L10, ASJA L11, ASJA Viking II, licensed production of de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth, Focke-Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz, Hawker Hart, North American NA-16, Northrop 8A-1, Raab-Katzenstein RK-26 Tigerschwalbe, Svenska Aero SA-14, Svenska Aero SA-15 |
| Owner | AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna |
Number of employees | fewer than 100 (by 1933) (1933) |
| Parent | AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna |
AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning—commonly known as ASJA—was a Swedish aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Linköping, Sweden. Founded in late 1930 as a subsidiary of the industrial group AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna (translated as Swedish Railway Workshops Co), ASJA primarily focused on producing aircraft under license from other designers, while also developing its own models such as the ASJA L1 Viking and ASJA Viking II. In 1936, ASJA entered negotiations with Bofors to establish a joint enterprise for aircraft design and production; this collaboration led to the formation of AB Förenade Flygverkstäder (AFF) on 31 March 1937. By 1939, ASJA was absorbed into the newly created Svenska Aeroplan AB, better known as Saab.
History
ASJA originated as a subsidiary division of the industrial conglomerate AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna, which had established itself by the 1920s as a leading manufacturer of rolling stock and locomotives for Sweden’s expanding rail system. Facing a decline in its core business during that decade, the parent company sought to diversify its operations, branching out into products such as heating boilers, hot water heaters, and heat exchangers marketed under the Parca brand. In September 1930, the board formally resolved to launch an aircraft manufacturing division.[1]
At its inception, ASJA was a modest operation employing fewer than one hundred staff by 1933.[1] Given that wooden components remained vital in aircraft construction during this period, carpenters made up over 25% of ASJA’s workshop workforce. The company’s early activities predominantly involved licensed production of externally designed aircraft, alongside efforts to develop proprietary models including the ASJA L1 Viking and ASJA Viking II.[1] Although ASJA was expected to share technical expertise with other Swedish aviation firms such as Svenska Aeroplan AB, it reportedly showed reluctance in doing so, limiting collaborative ventures.[1]
In 1936, the Swedish Riksdag mandated procurement of 257 combat aircraft and 80 trainers by 1943 to equip the Swedish Air Force. The prospect of securing substantial orders attracted attention from ASJA and competing manufacturers alike. This spurred discussions between ASJA and Bofors regarding the establishment of a joint company dedicated to aircraft design and production. By January 1937, both parties agreed to an equal shareholding arrangement.[1] Consequently, on 31 March 1937, they founded AB Förenade Flygverkstäder (AFF), envisioned to handle new aircraft development tailored to Air Force requirements while splitting manufacturing responsibilities between facilities in Trollhättan and Linköping.[1]
Despite involvement in AFF, some within ASJA preferred to continue advancing their own aircraft projects independently.[1] In 1938, recognizing a demand for fresh army and naval reconnaissance planes, ASJA chose to submit their ASJA L10 design directly rather than through AFF. This decision undermined confidence in AFF and contributed to its dissolution by spring 1939.[1] Subsequently, a series of complex negotiations led to mergers, acquisitions, renamings, and relocations within a short timeframe—most notably resulting in ASJA’s integration into a reorganized Svenska Aeroplan AB, widely known as Saab.[1]
Although this acquisition ended ASJA’s independent existence and discontinued use of its brand name, its manufacturing facilities became integral components of Saab’s production infrastructure. Several aircraft initially developed under ASJA’s direction continued to be manufactured during this period.[1] Moreover, former executives from both ASJA and AFF assumed influential positions within the new organization. Saab remains an active aerospace manufacturer today.[1]
Products
- ASJA F1
- ASJA L1 Viking
- ASJA L2 (military code Ö 9)
- ASJA L10 (which was later developed into the Saab 17)
- ASJA L11 (which subsequently evolved into the Saab 18)
- ASJA Viking II
- de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth
- Focke-Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz
- Hawker Hart
- North American NA-16
- Northrop 8A-1
- Raab-Katzenstein RK-26 Tigerschwalbe
- Svenska Aero SA-14
- Svenska Aero SA-15
References
External links
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