Saab J 21R
Saab · Sweden · first flew 1947 · fighter
The Saab J 21R is historically unique as the only aircraft in the world to have entered operational service in both piston-engine (J 21A) and jet-engine (J 21R) forms. Converting the twin-boom pusher layout to jet power was a bold engineering exercise by Saab.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-boom push configuration converted to jet — the only aircraft to enter service as both piston-pusher and jet
- Twin tail booms with central jet nacelle replacing earlier piston
- Ejection seat faces rearward to clear the tail structure
Distinctive twin-boom layout with the jet engine buried in the central nacelle behind the pilot; the rearward-ejection seat bulge and twin tail fins are definitive recognition features.
Specifications
- The Saab J 21R has a length of 10.55 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.37 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 800 km/h (497 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The J 21A was a twin-boom pusher piston fighter that entered Swedish service in 1945; Saab then replaced the piston engine with a de Havilland Goblin turbojet to create the J 21R, which first flew in 1947 and entered service in 1950. The twin-boom layout required the pilot to use a rearward-facing ejection seat to avoid the tail structure. It was an unusual transitional design during Sweden's switch from piston to jet aircraft.
Variants
The J 21R was preceded by the piston-engined J 21A; the A 21R was the ground-attack variant of the jet version.
Where you'll see it
The J 21R served with the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) from 1950 until 1956, when it was replaced by more modern jets. It never served outside Sweden.
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