These walk-around photos were taken at F11 Museum at Skavsta Airport outside Nyköping in 2022. They show a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, designated Fpl 51B in Swedish Army service — a lightweight, high-wing liaison and observation aircraft known for its outstanding low-speed handling and short-field performance. The Swedish Army acquired 29 Super Cubs in four batches between 1958 and 1966, primarily for artillery fire direction and pilot training, operating them from small grass strips in close support of ground forces. The Fpl 51B differed from the earlier 51A mainly in having enlarged windows for improved visibility from the rear seat — essential for an observer directing artillery fire.
This particular aircraft, 51256, was delivered to the Swedish Army in April 1959 as part of the second batch of six Fpl 51B aircraft. It has a notable history: in 1960, during the Congo Crisis, the Swedish Army made six aircraft from this exact batch — 51251 through 51256 — available to the United Nations. They were painted entirely white, marked ONU (Opération des Nations Unies), and transported to the Congo via the US Air Force. This aircraft received the UN marking ONU-506. None of the aircraft saw active use in the Congo and all were returned to Sweden. Fpl 51256 served in the Army until 1973 and was donated to the Swedish Air Force Museum in 1978, which has since deposited it at F11 Museum.