SAAB J-21A

The SAAB-21 was a Swedish low-wing fighter and attack aircraft with a metal structure from the Second World War. The drive was provided by a single Daimler-Benz DB605B engine with a maximum power of 1455 HP. The flight of the prototype took place in 1943, and serial production continued in 1945-1949, ending with the production of about 295 copies of this aircraft. The deck armament consisted of a single 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon and 4 13.2mm machine guns. In connection with the ongoing World War II, Sweden, neutral in the course of this conflict, decided to develop by itself a completely new fighter-attack aircraft that would not differ from foreign designs. However, it was decided to use the DB605B engine licensed by Volvo Aero. Finally, a highly unusual machine was created with a push propeller instead of a towing one, and with a double-beam rear tail. What's more, the machine had good performance, high maneuverability and used a throwaway pilot's seat, which at that time was an avant-garde solution. SAAB-21 was produced in two basic versions: J-21 (hunting version) and A-21 (assault version). The machine also had a significant modernization potential, as the SAAB J-21R, i.e. a fighter already powered by a jet engine, was created on the basis of it. The last SAAB-21 aircraft were withdrawn from the line by 1954.