1997

Seat from the Military Aircraft Morane-Saulnier 35 «Hélène»

Dübendorf, 1919–approx. 1930

This seat made of plywood was in all likelihood produced as a spare part in the workshops of the Dübendorf airport. It was intended for use in a «Hélène». This French aircraft had been acquired in August 1914, after the founding of the Swiss flying corps. The machine mainly served the purpose of training pilots in air combat manoeuvring. It was liquidated in the 1930s.

As early as 1915 the army had contemplated building airports in northern Graubünden and in the Upper Engadine. However, it was not until 1937 that the only airport in the canton for military and civilian purposes was constructed in Samedan.