Saab 210

Saab 210

Company type	Experimental aircraft prototype
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	21 January 1952
Headquarters	Linköping , Sweden

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The Saab 210 served as a roughly 70% scale prototype designed to test the double-delta wing layout later utilized in the Saab 35 Draken supersonic interceptor. It earned the informal moniker Lilldraken (translating to Little Dragon or Little Kite). Its inaugural flight took place on 21 January 1952.

Naming

The unofficial title Lilldraken was assigned to the 210 retrospectively, reflecting its role as a precursor to the larger Type 35 Draken. The Swedish term "Draken" carries dual meanings, signifying either "The Dragon" or "The Kite". This name supposedly originated from the Type 35 prototype’s resemblance to a paper kite when observed from above.

Design and development

File:Saab 210 Lilldraken.jpg

Saab 210 (Saab 210A), original design

File:Saab 210 v.jpg

Saab 210B, modified version

In the early 1950s, under the direction of Erik Bratt, Saab embarked on developing an innovative double-delta wing configuration intended for a supersonic fighter jet. Due to the advanced nature of this design, a compact aerodynamic test platform known as the Type 210 was constructed to evaluate its low-speed handling characteristics.

210 or 210A

This tailless aircraft featured a double-delta wing that extended nearly to the nose, with integrated wing root air intakes located just aft of a small forward fuselage. The design included a pronounced bubble canopy, a swept vertical stabilizer, and a semi-retractable tricycle landing gear. By this stage, the fighter had been designated as the J 35 Draken, while this smaller test model became informally referred to as the "Lilldraken". Propulsion was supplied by an Armstrong Siddeley Adder turbojet producing approximately 1,000 pounds of thrust.

The Saab 210 conducted its first flight with pilot Bengt Olow at the controls on 21 January 1952. Following this, it underwent a comprehensive series of flight evaluations before being modified for further testing.

210B

Subsequent alterations relocated the air intakes to positions adjacent to the cockpit to improve pilot visibility. Additionally, a drogue parachute was installed. This updated configuration was designated as the 210B, with the original layout thereafter referred to as the 210A.

Flight trials continued in this revised form, and by its final sortie on 25 October 1955, both variants of the Saab 210 had completed a total of 887 flights.

Today, the Saab 210B is preserved and displayed at the Flygvapenmuseum (Air Force Museum) located in Linköping.

See also

Bibliography

• Forsgren, Jan (2010). "Database: Saab J 35 Draken". Aeroplane. May 2010. p. 64.
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External links

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