Saab 17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_17

The Saab 17 was a Swedish bomber-reconnaissance aircraft.

The project was initiated in response to a request in 1938 from the Swedish air
force for a reconnaissance aircraft that could replace the Fokker S 6. Design
work began at the end of the 1930s as the L 10 by ASJA, but after the merger
with Saab in 1939 it was renamed Saab 17. The wings were reinforced to make it
possible for use as a dive bomber. Since there was a shortage of engines the
aircraft were flown to their destination, where the engines were removed and
returned for use by the next delivery. The aircraft was also made in three
versions with different engines.

Two prototype L-10 aircraft were ordered, the first being powered by a 880 hp
(660 kW) Nohab-built Bristol Mercury XII and the second by a 1,065 hp (794 kW)
Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp.

The production B 17A used a Swedish-built Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp, the B 17B a
Svenska Flygmotor AB (SFA)-built Bristol Mercury XXIV, and the B 17C a Piaggio
P.XI. The aircraft could be fitted with wheels, skis or floats. A unique feature
of the Saab 17 was its use of the extended landing gear assembly, with its large
covers, as dive brakes.


Role
Bomber, reconnaissance

Manufacturer
Saab

First flight
18 May 1940

Introduction
1942

Retired
1955, Sweden
1968, Ethiopia

Status
Retired

Primary users
Swedish Air Force
Ethiopian Air Force
Finnish Air Force
Austrian Air Force

Produced
1941–44

Number built
323

The first test flight was on 18 May 1940 and first deliveries to the Flygvapnet
(Swedish Air Force) were in 1942. However, the development of the turbojet meant
it had a short service history, but when the B 17 ended Swedish service in
1947–50, 46 were sold to Ethiopia, remaining in service until 1968. Two B 17As
were sold to Finland in 1959 and 1960, serving as target tugs for the Finnish
Air Force, both succumbing to accidents fairly quickly. For some months from
very early 1945 fifteen B 17As were issued to DANFORCE (Danish Brigade of 5000
men in Sweden). However, as things unfolded with the German surrender, there was
no need for them in the liberation of Denmark, and the aircraft were returned to
the Flygvapnet a couple of months after the surrender.

Specifications (B 17C)

General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 13.7 m (44 ft 11 in)
Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,680 kg (5,908 lb)
Gross weight: 3,870 kg (8,532 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Piaggio P.XIbis R.C.40D 9 cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine
Propellers: 3-bladed Piaggio P.1001 variable pitch propeller

Performance
Maximum speed: 435 km/h (270 mph, 235 kn)
Cruise speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn)
Landing speed: 125 km/h (78 mph; 67 kn)
Range: 1,700 km (1,100 mi, 920 nmi)
Service ceiling: 9,800 m (32,200 ft)
Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 139 kg/m2 (28 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.220 kW/kg 0.14 hp/lb

Armament

Guns:
2× 8 mm (0.315 in) (Kulspruta) Ksp m/22F machine gun machine guns, fixed
forward-firing
1× 8 mm (0.315 in) Ksp m/22R machine-gun flexibly mounted in the rear cockpit
Bombs: 700 kg (1,500 lb) of bombs




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