In the childhood of aviation the Danish
aviation was to be found in the front row.
The pioneers
The very first flight in Europe made in
an aircraft heavier than air, and powered by an engine,
took place in Denmark when Jacob Christian
Ellehammer September 12th 1906, on the island of
Lindholm flew no less than 42 meters. For this flight he
used an aircraft of his own construction and powered by
an engine which he had constructed as well.
This achievement, however, could not be recognised
internationally as the first flight. First of all there
were no witnesses from any official aviation
organisations and secondly because Ellehammer
had tethered his machine to a central pole using a wire
forcing his aircraft to roll and fly in a circular
track.
A few months later the Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont
performed the first officially recognised flight in
Europe.
What maybe not so many people know is
that Ellehammer in 1908, during a visit to
Germany, made the very first flight in that country.
Actually quite surprising to think about bearing in mind
that the First World War was only 6 years ahead.
Ellehammer also worked
with helicopters. September 28th 1912 he actually
managed to lift off and hover in a helicopter - again of
his own construction.
Other known pioneer aviators are
Alfred Nervø, who, among other things, June
3rd 1910, as the first ever flew overhead
Copenhagen.
Not forgetting Robert Svendsen, who as the
first Dane held an international certificate issued
January 15th 1910. July 3rd 1910, Robert Svendsen became the
first pilot in Scandinavia to fly passengers. It took
place at the place which later should be "Kloevermarken"
Airfield. From there he also made the first flight
across Oeresund. It took place July 17th 1910,
where he crossed the Sound and landed at Limhamn near
Malmoe.
Further more Robert SvendsenSeptember
2nd 1911 made the first postal flight in
Scandinavia. He brought 150 letters across the Little
Belt from Middelfart til Fredericia.
Aircraft production
The first 50 years of aviation history
is a period where Denmark is very active within aviation
and even aircraft production. In the early period it is
common to produce aircrafts on license. The B&S
monoplan was produced at the Burmeister & Wain
shipyard in 1911, Avro 504 og Hawker
Dankok was build at the Naval Shipyard "Orlogsvaerftet"
in 1925 and 1927. Not less than 44
Piper Cub, was build at Cub Aircraft Co. in
Lundtofte during 1939.
But not all was on license. During the
period 1936 until 1951, Kramme & Zeuthen
developed and built around 200 of their famous KZ
aircrafts (KZ I through KZ X) of which many still is
in airworthy condition.
When this production ended it also marked the end of
Danish aircraft production.
My Interest of aviation
When I think of the proud historical
Danish connection to the development of aircrafts and
aviation, I find it a little strange that only a very
small group of persons outside the circles of pilots,
has found it interesting, as a hobby, to research Danish
aviation or aviation as such.
I am proud to say that I am one of the
few.
Actually I have this interest in my genes.
My grandfather spend several days in 1910 as a spectator
at the KloevermarkenRobert Svendsen
prepared his flight to Sweden.
For a long period of
time, I have had my need for aviation fully covered. For
more that 35 years I have been working at Royal Danish
Air Force Vaerloese. Now the politicians has ruled that
there is no longer a need for an Air Force at the
National Capital. The base will close. So in the future
I will have to get my need for aviation covered at
Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup.
My interest, which started in my childhood, is to
look at the aircrafts, to register them and to make
pictures of them.
Oh yes - and then to use the aircrafts as a passenger
of course.
These pages about aviation and spotting are a
description of my way of doing things, but maybe other
people will have fun reading my scribbles.
