The last model built was the J 35F, the final version to remain in Swedish service. The early models were intended purely for air defense. Sweden's fleet of Drakens came in six different versions and two other models of the Draken were offered for export. A total of 651 Saab Drakens were manufactured. It entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1960. Operational historyĪlthough the J 35 Draken was not designed to be a dog-fighter, it proved to have a good quick turn capability, and it was a capable fighter plane. The second prototype, equipped with an afterburner, unintentionally broke the sound barrier on its first flight while climbing. The first prototype, not fitted with an afterburner, made its maiden flight on 25 October 1955. The 210's successful testing results led to an order for three full-size Draken prototypes. The Saab 210 tested the concept of the double delta, first flying on 21 January 1952. The double-delta shape was so revolutionary that it warranted the only sub-scale test aircraft built in Sweden: the Saab 210, unofficially nicknamed "Lilldraken" (the little draken). The Draken could deploy a drag chute to reduce its landing distance. A ram turbine, under the nose, provided emergency power and the engine had a built-in emergency starter unit. Propulsion was provided by a single Svenska Flygmotor RM 6B/C turbojet ( Rolls-Royce Avon 200/300). The inner wing has an 80° angle for high speed performance, while the outer 60° wing gives good performance at low speeds. ĭraken's design incorporated a distinctive "double-delta" configuration, with one delta wing within another larger delta. In September 1949, the Swedish Defence Material Administration issued a request for a fighter/interceptor aircraft, and work began at Saab the same year. Other demanding requirements were the capability to operate from reinforced public roads used as part of wartime airbases, and for refuelling/rearming to be carried out in no more than ten minutes, by conscripts with minimal training. Although other interceptors such as the US Air Force's F-104 Starfighter were being conceived during the same period, Saab's "Draken" would have to undertake a combat role unique to Sweden. As well as F13, the 90 examples of the J35A served with F16 at Uppsala and the Draken Operational Conversion unit, with 25 examples subsequently being converted into SK35C two seat conversion trainers.As the jet era started, Sweden foresaw the need for a jet fighter that could intercept bombers at high altitude and also successfully engage fighters. The first Saab 35s to enter operational service were J35As received by F13 at Norrkoping during March 1960. these led to the first operational aircraft, with the first operational Saab J 35A Draken taking to the skies on 15th February 1958, powered by the Svenska-Flygmotor-RM6B-engine (license built derivative of the Rolls-Royce Avon 200 engine). The first flight of a prototype was on 25th October 1955, with the second prototype joining the test programme in January 1956, with the third following in March the three aircraft were all powered by imported British built Rolls-Royce Avon 200 engines.
#Saab 35 draken series#
After that, the Swedish Air Force ordered a mock up of Saab's propasal, designated Saab J 35 Draken, in March 1952, followed by three prototypes and three pre series examples ordered in August 1953. Wind tunnel testing supported the aircraft’s usability, what was proven by a smaller Draken called Saab 210 Lill-Draken in 1952. Saab selected a twin-delta configuration for a small and lightweight aircraft. The new type was intended to provide air defense against bombers, which required a level flight speed in the Mach 1.4-1.5 range (later increased to Mach 1.7-1.8), a high rate of climb and the ability to operate from the same locations as the J29. In 1949 the Flygvapen (Swedish Air force) issued a draft operational requirement for an interceptor aircraft to replace the Saab J29, which had only made it's first flight the previous year.
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