Sweden's Saab B17 dive bomber

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Saab B17 dive bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Saab B17 dive bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook

Saab B17A dive bomber:

Design

The Saab 17 was the first original design achieved by Saab.¹ It was to be a two seat reconnaissance aircraft.¹ It was redesigned to be able to be a dive bomber.¹

Saab (Svenska Aeroplan AB) was created in 1937.¹

Some of the Saab 17s could be equipped with retractable skis.¹

Armament

The bombs were carried in the bomb bay and could be mounted on wing racks.²

Prototype

The first prototype flew on May 19, 1940.¹

Production

The B17B was the first to enter service in 1941.¹

• Prototypes: 2¹
• B17A: 132¹
• B17B, S17B: 76¹
• S17BS: 38¹
• B17C: 77¹
• Total: 325¹

Variants

• Prototypes: Had Bristol Pegasus engine.¹
• B17A: Dive bomber.¹ The engine used was an unlicensed built Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G Twin Wasp.¹
• B17B: The engine was a licence built Bristol Mercury XXIV.¹
• S17B: Reconnaissance.¹ Had camera.¹
• B17C:
• S17BS: Maritime patrol.¹ Had twin floats.¹

Usage

Denmark and Sweden were the users of the B17.¹

Denmark

Denmark had one volunteer squadron based in Sweden late in World War II.¹

Ethiopia

After World War II 47 B17As were sold to Ethiopia.¹

Specifications

	Saab B-17	Saab B17A	Saab B17B	Saab B17C
Type	Dive bomber2	Dive bomber1	Dive bomber1	Dive bomber1
Crew	22	21	21	21
Engine (Type)		SFA STWC3-G1	Nohab My XXIV1	Piaggio P.XIbis1
Cylinders		Radial 141	Radial 91	Radial 141
Cooling
HP	8502	1,0651	9801	1,0201
Propeller blades		31	31	31
Dimensions
Span				44' 11.25"1 13.7 m1
Length				32' 2"1 9.8 m1
Height				14' 5.25"1 4.4 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty
Loaded				8,521 lb1 3,865 kg1
Performance
Speed				270 mph1 434 kph1
Cruising speed				230 mph1 370 kph1
Climb
Service ceiling
Range
Armament
Wings				2: 13.2 mm MG1
Rear cockpit				1: 7.9 mm MG1
Bombs				1,500 lb1 680 kg1