F 8 Barkarby

F 8 Barkarby, Kungliga Svea Flygflottilj, Royal Svealand Air Force Wing, or simply "F 8", is a former Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located in Barkarby just north of the capital Stockholm on the east coast.

History of the airbase
The meadows in the area were used since 1913 for basic flying training. From 1919 until 1936 the airport was a permanent international airport until the commercial traffic was transferred to the newly built Stockholm-Bromma Airport with paved runways.

From 1926 until 1938 the airfield was also used for evaluation of new aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. Units from other wings were also stationed here for air defense of the capital Stockholm.

In 1936, the decision was made to set up a permanent fighter air wing. Three squadrons of J 8 were initially detached to F 1 Hässlö but moved to Barkarby on October 1, 1938. The aircraft were rather quickly replaced in 1940 by J 9.

In 1945 after the end of the war, the squadrons were reequipped with J 22. Some of the aircraft were received from F 16 and F 9. A few J 21A-1 were also stationed here initially for trials and training.

In 1949 the squadrons were gradually converted to jets with the introduction of J 28B Vampire. They were in turn replaced in 1952 with J 29 Tunnan.

In 1957 the squadrons received the J 34 Hunter. They were kept until 1964 when the three squadrons were disbanded and the aircraft were transferred to other wings. The name was changed to Kungliga Svea Flygkår (Royal Svealand Air Corps).

In 1961 a decision was made to base the new high-altitude Rb 68 Bloodhound air-to-air missile at F 8 and replace the fighters. F 8 Barkarby became the technical centre in Sweden for training officers and conscripts for using the new missiles.

F 8 remained an active military base until the decommissioning in 1974 when it was opened for general aviation.

Current use
The airfield is known today as Barkarby Airport and was used until 2010 for general aviation for hobby flyers and enthusiasts with small planes. The area around F8 has been heavily developed in the beginning of the 21st century, with a big Outlet shoppingcenter, Ikea store and numerous other stores. In 2010 the airfield was closed down permanently. The municipality is now building office and living areas on the former airfield and surroundings. Aerial photograph of Barkarby airfield, former F8