Saab 17

History

During World War II (1939-1945), with the German conquest of Western Norway and the Soviet invasion of Finland eastward, Sweden had to maintain a viable defense against its own imminent invasion. foreign power. As a result, the country invested in the procurement of foreign war materiel, eventually turning to local industry as this became an unviable and impractical option.

The Saab 17 was a product of the time, designed and built from local sources, to serve as a light bomber and reconnaissance platform for the Swedish Air Force while in the air.

Production ran from 1941 to 1944, with 323 examples completed. The line was eventually put into use by countries including Austria, Ethiopia and neighboring Finland before it ended.

The "B17B" followed as a further development of the bomber, but with a 980 hp Bristol Mercury XXIV engine (engine built locally by SFA). The total production of the bomber brand was 55 units.

The last bomber brand became "B17C". These were used in the 1,040 hp Italian Piaggio P. Xbis RC 40D series engine, with a total production of 77 units.

The model's capabilities include a top speed of 270 mph, a cruising speed of 230 mph, a range of up to 1,055 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 32,155 feet.

The "S17BL" was a reconnaissance role for the aircraft family, 21 were eventually produced. The brand's seaplane version uses pontoons instead of wheeled retractable landing gear, and has completed 38 aircraft in this form.

The Swedish Air Force took delivery of the aircraft in 1942, but service and production were limited due to the advent of jets. This quickly rendered any further development of radial drive designs moot for most of the world's air power. The Model 17 entered service in Sweden in 1955, after which the stock was sold to Ethiopia and did not take off until 1968.

Finland only received two aircraft in the late 1950s, with the two serving as target tugs.

Saab 17 Specs

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes