Saab 90 Scandia

Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Saab)

Company type	Aktiebolag (Swedish limited company)
Industry	Aerospace, automotive
Founded	April 1, 1937 (1937-04-01) in Linköping, Sweden
Fate	Expanded from military to civil aviation and later automobile manufacturing
Headquarters	Linköping , Sweden
Area served	Worldwide (civil and military aircraft)
Products	Aircraft, automobiles

For the automobile, see Saab 90.

The Saab 90 Scandia was a commercial passenger aircraft produced by Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Saab) in Linköping, Sweden. During 1944, as it became evident that the European conflict of the Second World War was nearing its conclusion, Saab recognized the necessity to expand beyond military production to ensure the company’s future viability. Consequently, the board resolved to develop a twin-engine airliner designed for short to medium distances, intended as a modern replacement for the Douglas DC-3. (This strategic shift also paved the way for Saab’s entry into automobile manufacturing, beginning with the Ursaab and later the Saab 92 passenger cars.)

The overall configuration of the Scandia bore resemblance to the DC-3, yet it featured notable differences such as a tricycle landing gear arrangement instead of the DC-3’s tailwheel setup. Additionally, its vertical stabilizer had a distinctive form alongside various subtler design modifications. The Saab 90 faced stiff competition from numerous surplus DC-3s readily available on the market, which complicated sales efforts.

Design and development

File:SaabScandia.jpg

Scale model of Saab Scandia displayed in Linköping

By late 1943, Saab’s design division anticipated a substantial decline in military aircraft demand following the end of the Second World War. To align with future civil aviation needs, discussions were held with Swedish airline AB Aerotransport to assess their requirements for new commercial aircraft. In February 1944, Saab’s leadership authorized detailed design work on what was initially designated Projekt CT. This new airliner aimed to replace ABA’s fleet of Douglas DC-3s for short-to-medium haul routes. It featured a low-wing monoplane design constructed entirely from metal, powered by two engines and intended to accommodate between 25 and 30 passengers. The projected operational range was approximately 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), with a maximum takeoff weight near 11,600 kg (25,600 lb). The powerplant selected was the 1,450 horsepower (1,080 kW) rated Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp radial engines, targeting an inaugural flight during summer 1945.

However, production of the prototype experienced delays due to labor strikes in early 1945 and efforts to obtain airworthiness certification under American standards to facilitate export opportunities. The project was publicly unveiled in December 1945 under the designation SAAB 90 Scandia.

The first flight of the Saab 90 (Scandia) prototype occurred in November 1946. Designed to seat between 24 and 32 passengers while maintaining good low-speed handling characteristics, it incorporated Pratt & Whitney R-2000 engines and featured fully retractable landing gear with a single nosewheel. Swedish carrier ABA, a predecessor to SAS, placed an order for eleven units. Certification was granted in June 1950, with deliveries commencing in October that year. However, following further testing, engine specifications were updated to utilize the Pratt & Whitney R-2180-E Twin Wasp E. Additionally, two Brazilian airlines (VASP and Aerovias do Brasil) procured six aircraft collectively. The prototype was eventually converted into an executive luxury aircraft for Brazilian industrialist Olavo Fontoura.

Design

The Scandia initiative began in 1944, driven by a perceived post-World War II demand for an aircraft capable of transporting 25 to 30 passengers over distances reaching 1000 km.

Key design priorities included safety, the use of two engines, durability, and cost-effective operation.

The wing utilized NACA airfoil profiles to ensure favorable stall behavior. A low-wing configuration was selected due to its advantages such as:

• Reduced structural weight
• Enhanced safety during emergency landings
• The ability to incorporate a single continuous flap

Manufacturing of the wing involved three sections: a central part housing the engine mounts, and left and right outer panels attached via bolts just beyond the engine nacelles.

The fuselage diameter was dimensioned to accommodate four seats per row, resulting in a maximum passenger capacity of 32. An alternative layout with wider, more comfortable seating arranged three abreast was also available, reducing capacity to 24 passengers. The prototype (90.001) featured Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R2000 engines rated at 1450 bhp, which were upgraded to 1650 bhp P&W Twin Wasp R2180 units in production models.

Except for the rudders—constructed from metal frames covered with fabric—the entire airframe was metal-built.

Test flights

The prototype (registration SE-BCA) completed its maiden flight on November 16, 1946, piloted by Claes Smith. This initial flight lasted approximately 20 minutes. The aircraft demonstrated excellent slow-speed handling, maintaining full control at speeds as low as 110–115 km/h. Stall behavior was gradual and accompanied by noticeable vibrations. Notably, the aircraft exhibited good controllability even when one engine was shut down, a feature uncommon among twin-engine planes of that era. However, rudder control harmony was problematic, requiring excessive force under certain conditions. Additionally, the engine installation demanded redesign.

Before the winter of 1947/48, the prototype accumulated 154 flight hours before being grounded for modifications. The engines were repositioned higher to increase propeller-to-ground clearance. The previously equipment-only cabin was outfitted for passenger use. On February 7, 1948, test flights resumed entering a second phase focused primarily on performance evaluation. After reaching a total of 700 flight hours during testing, several improvements were adopted for production aircraft:

• Installation of more powerful engines
• Introduction of four-blade Hamilton-Standard propellers
• Addition of spring tabs on rudder and elevators to reduce control forces

Operational history

File:SAAB Scandia VASP at Sao Paolo Congonhas 1965.jpg

VASP Scandia PP-SQN (foreground) at São Paulo Congonhas airport in 1965

Deliveries of the initial production Scandias commenced in 1950. SAS received eight units between October 1950 and October 1954. Initially, SAS deployed these aircraft on domestic Scandinavian routes. From 1951 through 1955, scheduled services extended to European destinations such as Amsterdam, Brussels, and London Airport (Heathrow). Until their retirement in 1957, Scandias also operated in a limited first-class configuration on routes linking Scandinavia with Moscow via Riga.

VASP utilized both new and secondhand Scandias acquired from SAS on scheduled domestic flights within Brazil from October 1950 until late 1966.

The Swedish Air Force placed significant demands on SAAB’s resources for the Saab 29 fighter program, which ultimately led to the termination of Scandia production in Sweden; remaining manufacturing was transferred to Fokker in the Netherlands.

In total, only eighteen units were produced. By 1957 all SAS Scandias had been sold to VASP.

Plans existed for an enlarged version featuring a pressurized cabin designated as model 90B; however, it never progressed beyond design stages.

The final flight involving a model 90 Scandia occurred on July 22, 1969. The sole surviving example is the sixteenth aircraft built—ex-VASP registration PP-SQR—which is preserved in deteriorating condition at a museum located in Bebedouro, São Paulo state, Brazil.

Variants

Saab 90A

The primary production model, featuring two engines designed for short-haul airline service.

Saab 90B

A planned variant that was never constructed.

Operators

Template:BRA

• VASP

Template:DEN, Template:NOR, and Template:SWE

• Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)

Template:SWE

• Aktiebolaget Aerotransport (ABA)

Accidents and incidents

A total of three Saab Scandia aircraft operated by VASP were involved in fatal accidents, with an additional two being damaged beyond repair in non-fatal events.

• December 30, 1958: A VASP Saab Scandia 90A-1, registration PP-SQE, experienced an engine failure on the number one engine shortly after departing from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport en route to São Paulo-Congonhas. While attempting to return to the airport, the aircraft stalled during a second turn and crashed into Guanabara Bay. Of the 34 individuals on board, 20 lost their lives.
• September 23, 1959: During climb-out from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont, a VASP Saab Scandia 90A-1 with registration PP-SQV failed to reach sufficient altitude and crashed approximately one and a half minutes after takeoff. All 20 passengers and crew perished.
• November 26, 1962: A mid-air collision occurred near Paraibuna, São Paulo state, involving a VASP Saab Scandia 90A-1 (registration PP-SRA) flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and a private Cessna 310 (registration PT-BRQ) traveling in the opposite direction from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to São Paulo-Campo de Marte. Both aircraft were on airway AB-6 but failed to establish visual contact. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 23 aboard the Saab and all four occupants of the Cessna.

Surviving aircraft

File:Saab 90А-2 Scandia.jpg

Saab 90 Scandia PP-SQR located in Bebedouro, Brazil

As of 2007, just a single Saab 90 Scandia, bearing the registration PP-SQR, is known to exist. This aircraft is displayed outdoors at the Eduardo André Matarazzo Museum of Weapons, Vehicles and Machines in Bebedouro, Brazil.

Specifications

File:Saab 90 3-view Les Ailes March 22, 1947.png

Saab 90 Scandia three-view diagram

External links

• Photo collection at MyAviation.net