Sporting a design the likes of which most countries discarded before it left the drawing board, the Saab 21 in Sweden bucked the trend and actually went into service. With an inline V12 driving a pusher propeller, a central nacelle, and a wing with a characteristic rearward wink, the Saab 21s unique design has fascinated aviation fans since its first flight in 1943. Here is its story.
Check out Variable Static Audio's high quality headphones! https://www.variablestaticaudio.com
Consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AviationDeepDive
Join our Discord community: https://discord.com/invite/WCevgcufwJ
Donations to support the channel: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U3F6D98ZXY48N
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n96Xmvyw9qs&ab_channel=IHYLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4cjRGttnBU&ab_channel=Sev%27sStoryCorner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__wozw2oKtY&ab_channel=WarbirdsofSweden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGcSTWGHIc0&ab_channel=usermcw
http://mustang.gaetanmarie.com/articles/sweden.htm
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/helmut-schenk/
https://opposite-lock.com/topic/17862/flightline-179-saab-j-21-21r
https://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Jakt/117j28/117J28.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Aviation/Anniversaries/July_29
https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/duesenjets-nach-naziplaenen-770039940382
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frid_W%C3%A4nstr%C3%B6m
https://aeroscale.net/news/saab-j-
21a#:~:text=Apart%20from%20the%20downright%20auxiliary,undercarriage%20and%20a%
20pusher%20engine.
https://www.airvectors.net/avj21.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler-Benz_DB_603
https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/duesenjets-nach-naziplaenen-770039940382
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=652
https://www.airvectors.net/avj21.html
https://opposite-lock.com/topic/17862/flightline-179-saab-j-21-21r
https://plane-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/saab-21-21r/
https://plasticfantastique.com/projects/the-planes-of-the-swedish-air-force/j21-saab-21/
https://www.historynet.com/the-saab-j21/
https://www.wired.com/2009/01/jan-13-1942-ejection-seat-works-pilot-elated-2/
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/saab-l23.3402/
http://flygplanshistorik.se/21/21_2.htm?m1=1&m2=62&hl=64#GTEM
https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/saab-j21-in-detail/
https://academic-accelerator.com/encyclopedia/saab-21
Introduction 0:00 - 0:40
Geopolitical Situation 0:41 - 5:24
The Drawing Board 5:25 - 9:18
Saab 21 Early Development 9:19 - 13:25
Testing & Prototype Stage 13:26 - 20:28
Service Life 20:29 - 30:45
Conclusion 30:46 - 32:16