The Saab 21R was a Swedish combat aircraft with jet propulsion, which end of the 40's-years was activated. It was based on the Saab 21, a two-trunk hunter with pusher propeller. For the short term use of the new jet engines first four Saab 21A-1 are changed in such a way that De Havilland Goblin 3-Triebwerk could be inserted. Apart from the changed air intake the elevator had to be shifted, so that it did not lie directly in the drive jet. The Saab 21R resembled the English combat aircraft De Havilland Vampire in the structure.

To 10. March 1947 took place the first flight. The Swedish Air Force ordered first 120 machines. 30 machines were of type 21RA, them contained De Havilland Goblin 3-Triebwerk. Further 30 machines of type 21RB received an SFA engine, which was a manufacture under licence of the Goblin-3-Triebwerks.

The machines were supplied to the F10-Staffel after Soon it showed up that due to the missing pressurized cabin an employment was only very limited possible as fighter. Thereupon the order on 60 machines was shortened and all machines to the F7 in was transferred and starting from 1949 as ground combat aircraft used. The new designation read A21R.

The Saab 21R was until 1957 in the use. A set of machines served the service at the end as a training flight witness.

An airplane can be visited today still in the aviation museum by

Technical data

• Span: 11.37 m
• Length: 10.55 m
• Height: 2.90 m
• Unloaded weight: 3,090 kg
• Max. weight: 5,615 kg
• Range: 450 km (with auxiliary tank)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 m
• Max. speed: 930 km/h
• Engine: 1x SFA/De Havilland Goblin 3 RM 1A with 1.500 kp thrust
• Crew: 1
• Armament: 1x20 mm of Akan m/45, 8x7,9 mm of Ksp m/22F, 5x18 cm with 10x8-10 cm rockets
• Service: 1949 - 1957

Related links

• Aviation museum

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