Swedish engines

I have been reading a recently purchased Cross & Cockade, Spring 1975, Volume 16, Number 1, and an article about the Fokker D-VIII and its use and testing in the United States, post-war. Page 85 makes a reference to their using "Oberursels or Swedish-built LeRhones". Did anyone in Sweden actually build these engines? And were they actually sold for and used in German aircraft? Any truth to the rumors?

[Craig]

I think an Oberursel actually WAS a copy of the Le Rhone. But it wasn't as good. Since when are French engines better than German? Let's see - a Puegot or a BMW? Choose carefully . . .

The French really excelled at engine production in the Great War. Look at the thousands of SPADs, and SE5A s used Hispano-Suizas - the SPAD powerplant - as well. All in all, the French outproduced everybody.

The Thulin company built both aircraft (licensed and their own) and engines (LeRhone and Gnome) during the war. I believe the Fokker Dr.1 at Old Rhinebeck aerodrome flies with a Thulin-built LeRhone.

Some historians believe as many as 10% of all DRI were flying captured French built engines. German mechanics like them, they were easier to maintain.