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Timelines // Designers & Designs // Engines, Manufacturers, Locations // Airfoils // Alternates // Production
Accountability (tiers approx):
Tier | J - Jaktflygplan (Fighters) | A - Attack / B - Bomber | S - Spaning (Reconnaissance) | Omitted |
I |
J 3 (Fokker CV-D) J 4 (Svenska Aero/Heinkel HD 19) J 5 (Svenska Aero Jaktfalken) J 6 (Svenska Aero Jaktfalken) |
B 1 (Fiat BR) B 2 (Fiat BR1) |
S 5 (Heinkel He 5 "Hansa") S 6 (Fokker C.V-E) |
P 1 (Sparmann S1) J 1 (Phönix D.III) J 2 (Nieuport 29C-1)
S 1 (FMV S 21) S 2 (Heinkel He 2 "Hansa") S 3 (Heinkel He 3 "Hansa") S 4 (Heinkel He 4 "Hansa") |
II |
P 3 (Sparmann E4) J 7 (Bristol Bulldog)
|
B 3 (Junkers Ju 86K) B 4 (Hawker Hart)
|
S 7 (Hawker Hart) S 8 S 9 (Hawker Osprey) |
S 14 (Fieseler Storch) |
III |
J 8 (Gloster Gladiator) J 9 (Severseky-Republic EP-1) J 11 (Fiat CR.42) |
B 5 (Northrop 8A-1) B 6 (Seversky-Republic 2PA) B 16 (Caproni Ca.313) |
S 10 (Breguet 694) S 11 (Dornier Do 215A-1) S 12 (Heinkel He 114A) S 16 (Caproni Ca.313) |
B 7 (Fokker G.1b) |
IV |
P 8A (AFF-ASJA G 1) J 20 (Reggiane Re.2000) |
B 17 (Saab 17) Götaverken GP 8 |
S 17 (Saab 17) |
J 10 (Vultee 48C Vanguard) Fiat G.50 |
V | J 22 (FFVS 22) | B 18 (Saab 18) | S 18A (Saab 18) | |
VI |
P 9A (Saab 19) J 24 (Saab 24) J 30 (De Havilland Mosquito) |
B 18 (Saab 18) B 24 (Saab 24)
|
|
|
VII |
J 21 (Saab 21) J 23 (Saab 23) J 26 (North American P-51 Mustang) P 9B (Götaverken GP 9) |
A 21 (Saab 21)
|
S 26 (North American P-51 Mustang) | Saab 210 (Mini-Draken) |
VIII |
J 21R (Saab 21R) J 27 (Saab L-27) J 28 (De Havilland Vampire) |
A 21R (Saab 21R)
A 28 (De Havilland Vampire) |
S 31 (Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.XIX) |
Gloster Meteor Mk.11 Gloster Meteor A.W. 62 |
IX |
J 29 (Saab 29 Tunnan) J 33 (De Havilland Venom NF.51) |
A 29 (Saab 29 Tunnan)
|
S 29C (Saab 29 Tunnan)
|
|
X |
J 32 (Saab 32 Lansen) Project 1210 (12/1949) Project 1220 Project 1250 (04/1951)
J 34 (Hawker Hunter) |
Project 1100 (spring 1948) Project 1108 (05/1948) Project 1119 (mid 1948) Project 1150 (1947+) A 32 (Saab 32 Lansen)
|
S 32C (Saab 32 Lansen)
|
J 35 (Saab 35 Draken) Project 1325 (03/1954) Project 1338 (12/1954) |
Fighter / Multirole Fighter / unrealized project / imported / not delivered
Sources:
General
The Complete Book of Fighters, by William Green and Gordon Swanborough (2011)
Fighters of World War II Part I, by Bernard Fitzsimons (1981 MacDonald Phoebus)
Flygvapnet: An Illustrated History of the Swedish Air Force, by Anders Annerfalk (1999)
Saab Aircraft Since 1937, by Hans G Andersson (1989)
Saab: Half a Century of Achievement, by Eric Dymock (1997)
The Saab-Scania Story, by Bjorn Olson (1987)
Aviation Classics No.16: Saab 1937-2012 (2012 Mortons Media)
Turbojet History and Development 1930-1960, Volume 2, by Antony L. Kay (2007 Crowood Press)
History of Dive Bombing: A Comprehensive History from 1911 Onward, by Peter Smith (2007 Pen and Sword Aviation)
International Warbirds: An IIllustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914-2000, by John C. Fredriksen (2001 ABC-CLIO)
X-Planes and Prototypes, by Jim Winchester (2005 Amber Books Ltd)
Secret Projects Forums -- leads
Secret Saab Projects, by Tony Buttler (article in Air Enthusiast No.90, Nov/Dec 2000)
Specific
The Hawker Hart, by Francis K.Mason (1965 Profile Publications 57)
S 9 Hawker Osprey, by Michael Forslund (2000)
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920: Volume 1, by Rene J Francillon (1988 Putnam) -- for Northrop 8A-1
P-35A, AT-12 & P-66 in Swedish Service as J 9, B 6, & J 10; by Michael Forslund (2008) -- details the story of American involvement
J 11 Fiat CR 42, by Michael Forslund (2001)
The Saab 21 A & R (Profile Publications No.138), by Bo Widfeldt
Flight Global 06/1948 -- J 21R
The Saab J 29 (Profile Publications No.36), by Bo Widfeldt
Flight Global 05/1950 -- J 29
Saab J35 Draken (Aerofax Minigraph 12), by Robert F. Dorr, Rene Francillon, and Jay Miller (1987 Aerofax)
other websites where mentioned
Older versions:
Version 2.00 -- update to reflect Multirole category; enforced chronology
Version 1.03 -- rough draft ~05/2014; prior to Multirole category.
Further refinement:
-- designers confirm
-- designs carried forward
-- Saab toss bombsight in detail
old notes:
The chart below indicates that it is possible to work around "licensed production" if necessary, but only if details can be found on the unrealized aircraft (Sparmann, Gassner):
Tier | Fighters | Attack | Alternate | Omitted |
I | Jaktfalken | S5 / S6 / Sparmann P1 | ||
II | Gladiator | Hawker Hart | Sparmann E-4 / J7 / J11 | S7 / S8 / S9 / S12 |
III | EP-1 | Northrop 8A-1 | AFF-Gassner P7 project | B16 |
IV | Re.2000 | Saab 17 | Fiat G.50 / Brewster Buffalo / Vultee 48C / Fokker G.1a | Götaverken GP 8 / AFF-ASJA G 1 |
V | FFVS 22 | Saab 18 | ||
VI | Saab 19 | Saab 24 | J26 / J30 | |
VII | Saab 21 | Saab 21 | Saab 23 | GV-AFV GP 9 |
VIII | Saab 21R | Saab 21R | Saab 27 / A28 | S31 |
IX | Saab 29 | Saab 29 | J33 | |
X | Saab 32 | Saab 32 | J34 |
I have deliberately widened the tolerance for acceptable alternates simply because there are not many options available. The list includes projects that did not make it to production (highlighted), aircraft that were ordered but never delivered (Vultee, Fokker), and aircraft that were assembled in Sweden and flown by Swedish pilots for the mutual defense of Finland. The highlighted colors are to help with identification of projects that don't have much information (see work in progress below).
Unknowns
More information needed:
L 10 (1938): Saab B/S 17 -- this is the project that competed against the AFF-Gassner project; eventually produced as the Saab 17 bomber/reconnaissance aircraft; contract awarded to ASJA for 2 prototypes on November 29, 1938. (Andersson, 59)
L 11 (1938): Saab B/T 18 -- this is the project submitted by ASJA (Bror Bjurströmer) that competed against the Gotaverken (Bo Lundberg) proposal and Saab (Alfred Gassner) proposal; ASJA and Saab merged early 1939; the ASJA project was modified and a first prototype was ordered in November 1939 designated Saab 18A; second prototype ordered February 1940. (Andersson, 66). First prototype flown June 19, 1942; second prototype flown soon after; both powered by Twin Wasp engines (Andresson, 68). Order placed for production of B 18A July 31 1942 (Andersson, 68). This is the Saab 18.
L 12 (1939): Conventional fighter with radial engine, given the designation J 19 but never built. This is the Saab 19. ("The Swedish Zero") 605 km/h
L 13 (1939): What became the Saab 21, later during development called L 21. This is the Saab 21.
L 23 (1941): Conventional alternative to J 21. This is the Saab 23. ("The Swedish Bf109/Mustang") 626 km/h
L 24 (1942): Bf 110 lookalike, given the designation B 24 and J 24, cancelled. This is the Saab 24. ("The Swedish Bf110")
L 27 (1945): High performance piston engine fighter, given the designation J 27, never built. This is the Saab 27. ("The Swedish Super Spitfire") 700 km/h
P 1 – Sparmann S 1-A. 250km/h
P 2 – Focke Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz. Redesignated Sk 12. See chapter Trainer Aircraft.
P 3 – Sparmann E 4. Fighter aircraft, reminding of the German “Stuka”. Only a mock-up built. Cancelled in 1937.
P 4 – Fiesler Fi 156K-1 Storch. Redesignated S 14.
P 5 – Handley Page Hampden.
P 6 – Focke Wulf Fw 58 “Weihe”.
P 7A – Prototype for SAAB B 17A.
P 7B – Prototype for SAAB B 17B.
P 8 – Prototype for SAAB B 18.
P 8A – AFF/ASJA G 1. Twin-engine medium bomber. Cancelled in 1939.
P 8B – Götaverken GP 8. Twin-engine medium bomber. Reminding of Dornier Do 17. Cancelled in 1939.
P 9A – SAAB L 12. Fighter of conventional type. Cancelled in 1939. Also known as P 19/J 19, a.k.a. Saab 19.
P 9B – Götaverken GP 9. Fighter of conventional type. Cancelled in 1939.
P 3 -- Sparmann E-4 all-metal fighter
-- developed by Edmund Sparmann on contract for the Swedish Air Force between 1934 and 1937; canceled 1937; Sparmann's company purchased by Saab at the request of the government in 1937 (Andersson, 14).
-- Sparmann may have remained with Saab for 3 years (unverified source)
-- Sparmann may have invented a gyro-stabilizing device in 1913 (source, source)
-- if this secondary source is correct, then E-4 was to use a 680hp Nohab-built engine, 400km/h, with 2x12.7mm and 2x8mm
-- may have been designed in 1936 with bent wings similar to F4U Corsair (source)
-- "In 1936, it was decided to reinforce the Swedish Air Force, as new, modern aircraft were desperately needed. Sparmann, who suffered from being a small-scale producer, decided to aim for bigger prizes, and started rapid development of three new aircraft: a tourer (Sparmann S 2), a glider (Sparmann S 3) and a fighter (Sparmann S 4). Sadly, for Sparmann, his projects were unfinished when Saab and ASJA were granted a monopoly on deliveries to the Air Force in 1937, so he was forced to give up his company to the Saab and ASJA joint venture ..." (Annerfalk, 56)
-- "A fighter of which a prototype was ordered in 1936. Subsequently cancelled and the J 8, Gloster Gladiator, was ordered instead." (Annerfalk, 188)
P 7 -- AFF-Gassner project
-- "... design competition early in 1938 for a new Army and Naval reconnaisance aircraft ... top speed had to be at least 400 km/h ... externally somewhat similar to the British Westland Lysander and featured stub wings housing a retractable undercarriage or used for attaching floats. The wind tunnel testing, however, showed that the stub wings led to aerodynamic disturbances and they had to be abandoned. The result was a high-wing aircraft with non-retractable undercarriage, virtually impossible to modify into a light bomber which was another requirement ... project canceled." (Andersson, 19-20, 22)
-- competed against the ASJA L-10 project (which ultimately became Saab 17 to be used in both recon and bombing roles) (Andersson, 22)
P 9B -- Götaverken GP 9.
-- began as a proposal submitted by Götaverken in between April and September 1939 for competition against the P 9A [what became known as the Saab L 12, also known as P 19, J 19, Saab 19, "the Swedish Zero"], but the rights and responsibilities were transferred to a new company AB Flygplanverken (AFV) formed by Bo Lundberg (the chief designer of Götaverken since January 1939). The cost of the [P 9B] was 30 percent higher than P 9A. P 9B top speed given as high as 682 km/h; P 9A top speed 605 km/h. The Air Board expressed interest in the development of prototypes for both provided production expectations could be met. Lundberg was not able to meet production [so had to withdraw]; he was soon called back to service in the Air Force. The P 9A (Saab L 12) was considered by the Air Board to be too much for Saab to handle since they were already working on bomber contracts, so both P 9A and P 9B projects were shelved (Andersson, 20-21)
Tier II alternates
Bristol Bulldog (J7)
-- 11 purchased, 9 crashed; 2 donated to Finland
Hawker Osprey (S9)
-- seaplane counterpart to Hawker Hart (B4)
-- 6 procured
-- Nohab/Bristol Mercury VI 600hp (a.k.a. Bristol Pegasus I) 230 km/h
-- seaplane
Tier VI alternates
Tier VII and VIII alternates
Saab 23 |
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Notes:
-- this was to be a more conventional backup plan for the J21, along the lines of the P-51 Mustang
-- more information needed
Saab 27 |
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-- this was to be powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon 2200hp with contra-rotating propellers; expected speed ~700 km/h
-- more information needed
Misc
This project is on hold until I can get better sources that detail these projects:
- Sparmann E-4
- AFF-Gassner P 7
- Saab 17 in attack role (image)
- Saab 19 ("the Swedish Zero") or Saab 24 ("the Swedish Bf 110")
With that information it would be possible to bypass licensed production of foreign aircraft completely.
1st major update:
-- the fighter line is complete, made possible by licensed production; otherwise, there are several unrealized projects in the Tier III-IV region that might be usable.
-- a secondary line could be added from Tier II-VI if dive bombers are ever to be included (Hawker Hart, Saab 17, Saab 18). A completely dedicated "attack" or "heavy" line is not possible.
-- an honorable mention should be made for the Swedish bombsight development which rendered traditional dive bombing tactics obsolete. It was retroactively fitted on all Swedish bomber/attack aircraft.
old information
Update on Sparmann E-4:
-- a mockup was produced, pictures were taken, and approximately 19 drawings were made; this information comes from a record of correspondence between Sparmann and the Swedish Air Board that has been established by the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linköping.
-- the photos and drawings are expected to reside at the Military Archives in Stockholm.
Major Designers/personalities
Carl Bücker
Edmund Sparmann
Bo Lundberg
Alfred Gassner
Bror Bjurströmer
Edited by J311yfish, 09 October 2018 - 01:50 AM.