Ancient history

SAAB J22, the pioneering Swedish fighter of the Second World War (VIDEO)

The FFVS J22 was one of the first modern Swedish fighter aircraft. It was a necessity solution developed due to the lack of modern aircraft and the inability to buy from abroad due to the Second World War.

The J22 first flew in 1942 and entered service in record time in 1943. It remained in production until 1946 and in service until 1952. In total around 200 aircraft were built. It was easy to fly and very maneuverable. At a height of up to 5,000 m it could even face the formidable P-51 Mustang. It developed a maximum speed of 575 km/h. achieving the optimal speed-to-power ratio with the 1,050 HP engine it had.

The aircraft had a length of 7.8 m, a wingspan of 10 m. wing area 16m2, maximum weight 2,835 kg. It had a 14-cylinder Pratt &Whitney R-1830-SC3-G Twin Wasp engine and a Hamilton Standard VP-2M three-bladed 3.1 m diameter propeller. The maximum speed reached 575 km/h. the radius of action 1,270 km and the ceiling 13,000m. The J-22A was armed with 2 8mm machine guns. and 2 13.2, but the J-22B had 4 13.2 mm heavy machine guns.