Blondie was originally on strength with F 11 Wing at Nykoping, but was later transferred to F 1 Wing at Vasteras before moving again to F 8 Wing at Barkarby, near Stockholm. The aircraft wore minimal markings, bearing only its name on the forward fuselage beneath the cockpit and a standard Flygvapnet roundel either side of the rear fuselage. It was later given the fin code number “50”, when based at Bromma.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.86 - ГерманияGermany - 1934

During 1936-58 some 56 Junkers Ju 86Ks saw service with Flygvapnet, which designated the type B 3 (B for Bombflygplan - bomber aircraft), 16 of which were licence-produced by Saab. One example, serial 150, seen here, was used by Sweden’s FOA and FRA agencies to investigate the 1946 spate of “ghost rocket” sightings.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.86 - ГерманияGermany - 1934

The aircraft used for SIGINT/ELINT missions in 1946 was B 3A (Ju 86K-4) serial 150, named Blondie, powered by a pair of 820 h.p. Nohab My III (licence-built Bristol Pegasus III) radial engines. The cylindrical excrescence on the underside of the fuselage just aft of the mainwheels is the radome for its crucial AN/APS-15 navigation radar.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.86 - ГерманияGermany - 1934

A poor-quality but extremely rare photograph of Blondie’s crew in 1946, with the B 3A in the background. From left to right: Stig Lindberg, pilot; Ulf Mide, observer; Sven-Uno Palmqvist (radio operator); unknown, and SIGINT/ELINT specialist Sture Risberg.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.86 - ГерманияGermany - 1934

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.86 - ГерманияGermany - 1934