Saab Group
Saab 18
The Saab 18 was a twin‑engine medium bomber and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Saab AB in the early 1940s for the Swedish Air Force. Design work began in 1938 under the designation B 5, and the first prototype flew on 23 December 1942. Powered by two Licensor-built Daimler‑Benz DB 605A V‑12 engines delivering 1 650 hp each, the aircraft featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, a retractable undercarriage, and a glazed nose for the navigator‑bombardier. Its internal bomb bay could carry up to 1 200 kg of ordnance, while external racks allowed additional loads. Later versions were equipped with heavier armament, including 20 mm cannons and forward‑firing machine guns, and some were converted to torpedo‑bombers (designated T 18) for anti‑ship missions. Production ran from 1944 to 1949, with 210 units completed. Although the Saab 18 entered service after World War II, it provided Sweden with an indigenous, all‑metal combat platform that reinforced national defense during the early Cold War. The aircraft’s versatility—transitioning from bomber to reconnaissance, maritime strike, and even transport roles—demonstrated Saab’s engineering adaptability and laid the groundwork for later successful designs such as the jet‑powered Saab J 29 Tunnan.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1942
- Service Entry
- 1944