HNoMS Start

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Start was the Royal Norwegian Navy's very first aeroplane. It was bought in Germany and arrived in Horten 25 May 1912. The cost was 30 000 Norwegian kroner and the funding came from private contributions after a speedy initiative from the commander and officers of the submarine HNoMS Kobben (Norway's first submarine). One of the largest contributors was H.M. King Haakon VII of Norway. Start was officially given as a gift to the navy on 1 August 1912.

The first flight was made on 31 May^[1] by secondløytnant Hans Fleischer Dons (who was also second in command on the submarine HNoMS Kobben). He took off from Gannestad in Borre, flew over Karljohansvern naval station and Moss before landing in Øra not long from Fredrikstad. The flight was 48 km long and took 35 minutes. Dons was congratulated by both the King and the government.

Facts:

• Type: Rumpler Taube 2 seater reconnaissance plane
• Wing span: 13,8 m
• Length: 10 m
• Weight: 1.400 kg
• Motor effect: 100 hk
• Maximum speed: 100 km/t
• Time needed to climb to 1.000 m: 20 min
• Armament: 1 carbine

The type was first constructed in 1909 by Austrian Igo Etrich and later developed in to a two seater military air craft in 1912.

[edit] References

• Royal Norwegian Navy history page (Norwegian)
• Royal Norwegian Air Force history page (Norwegian)
• Royal Norwegian Air Force history page (Norwegian)