Sweden's Saab B18, Saab 18 bomber
Photos
Saab B18B dive bomber1:  |
Design
The Saab B18 was originally designed in the late 1930s to be a reconnaissance plane.1 Swedish requirements kept changing so the first Saab-18 didn't appear until 1942.1 These requirements called for the aircraft to be able to do bombing and dive bombing.1
The Saab-18 was of all metal construction.1
Wings
The wings were positioned mid fuselage and were cantilevered.1
Engines
The engines used in the B18A were unlicensed Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G Twin Wasps.1
Prototype
The first Saab-18 prototype flew on June 19, 1942.1
Production
The first B18B flew on June 10, 1944.1
Production ceased in 1948.1
- Prototypes: 21
- Saab B18A, Saab S18A: 601,2
- Saab B18B: 1202, 1211
- Saab T18B: 621
- Total: 2451
- Manufacturer: Saab2
Variants
- Saab B18A: Bomber.1 Entered service in June 1944.1
- Saab B18B: Dive bomber.1 Originally designed as a torpedo bomber.2 Could carry rockets under the wings.1 First appeared in 1945.2
- Saab S18A: Photo reconnaissance.1 Equipped with radar.1
- Saab T18B: Was originally to be a torpedo bomber.1 Instead had a 57 mm and two 29 mm cannons in the nose.1
Usage
Flygvapen (Swedish Air Force) units were equipped with the B18s in 1944.1 In 1956 the last Saab-18 was withdrawn from service.1,2
Specifications
| Saab B18A1, Saab 18 A2 | Saab B18B1, Saab 18 B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bomber2, Reconnaissance bomber1, Dive bomber1 | Reconnaissance bomber1, Dive bomber1 |
| Crew | 2 - 31, 32 | 2 - 31 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: SFA1 2: Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp2 |
2: Daimler-Benz DB 605B1,2 |
| Cylinders | Radial 141,2 | Inline2, Inverted V 121 |
| Cooling | Air2 | |
| HP | 1,065 each1,2 | 1,475 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | 31 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 55' 9"2, 55' 9.25"1 17 m1 |
55' 9.25"1 17 m1 |
| Length | 43' 5"1,2 13.23 m1 |
43' 5"1 13.23 m1 |
| Height | 14' 3"2, 14' 3.25"1 4.35 m1 |
14' 3.25"1 4.35 m1 |
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 12,100 lb1 5,488 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 17,946 lb1, 17,948 lb2 8,140 kg1 |
|
| Maximum load | 19,400 lb1 8,800 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed | 357 mph1 574 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
289 mph1,2 465 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 258 mph1 415 kph1 |
|
| Climb | ||
| Service ceiling | 26,250'1,2 8,000 m1 |
32,150'1 9,800 m1 |
| Range | 1,367 miles1,2 2,200 km1 |
1,616 miles1 2,600 km1 |
| Armament | 3: MG2 | 2: 20 mm2 1: 57 mm Bofors2 |
| Nose | 1: 7.9 mm MG1 | 1: 7.9 mm MG1 |
| Rear cockpit | 1: 13.2 mm MG1 | 1: 13.2 mm MG1 |
| Rear under nose | 1: 13.2 mm MG1 | 1: 13.2 mm MG1 |
| Internal bombs | 3,307 lb1,2 1,500 kg1 |
3,307 lb1 1,500 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
