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.
The first flight was made on 1 June[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.
Start was officially given as a gift to the navy on 1 August 1912. It is today displayed at the Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection.
The type was first constructed in 1909 by Austrian Igo Etrich and later developed in to a two-seater military aircraft in 1912.
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