Saab 91 Safir

{{short description|Swedish trainer aircraft}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name = Saab 91 Safir |image = Saab 91C 01.jpg |caption = Saab 91C of the Swedish Air Force |type = [[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]] |national_origin = [[Sweden]] |manufacturer = [[Saab AB|Saab]] |designer = A J Andersson |first_flight = 20 November 1945 |introduction = |retired = |produced = 1946–1966 |primary_user = [[Swedish Air Force]] |more_users = |number_built = 323 |status = |unit cost = |developed_from = |variants = }}

The '''Saab 91 Safir''' (Swedish for [[sapphire]]) is a three (91A, B, B-2) or four (91C, D) seater, single [[aircraft engine|engine]] [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] [[aircraft]]. The Safir was built by [[Saab AB]] in Linköping, Sweden (203 aircraft) and by ''[[De Schelde]]'' in [[Dordrecht]], [[Netherlands]] (120 aircraft).

==Design and development== Development of the Safir began in 1944 as part of a plan to compensate for reductions in orders for military aircraft, in anticipation of the end of the [[Sweden during World War II|Second World War]]. Three major civil programmes were planned, the [[Saab 90 Scandia|Type 90 Scandia]] airliner, the Type 91 Safir light aircraft and the [[Saab 92]] motor car.<ref name="ae56p45">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|p=45}}</ref> The Safir was designed by Anders J. Andersson, who had previously worked for [[Bücker Flugzeugbau|Bücker]], where he had designed the all-wood [[Bücker Bü 181]] "Bestmann". The Safir thus shared many conceptual design features with the Bestmann. It was primarily of metal construction, although it did have fabric-covered control surfaces.<ref name="ae56p45-7">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|pp=45–47}}</ref> Development was slowed by the need to concentrate on more urgent military work, and by [[industrial action]] among suppliers.<ref name="ae56p47">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|p=47}}</ref> The Safir's first flight took place on 20 November 1945.<ref name="jawa66 p125">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1966|p=125}}</ref>

While the prototype was first powered by a {{convert|130|hp|kW|abbr=on}} four [[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] IC piston engine, the Saab 91A initial production model used a {{convert|145|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Gipsy Major 10.<ref name="jawa66 p125"/> The Gipsy-engine Safir was considered underpowered by military customers, and as a result, the Gipsy was replaced by a six-cylinder [[Lycoming O-435|Lycoming O-435A]] rated at {{convert|190|hp|kW|abbr=on}}, with the re-engined type becoming the Saab 91B,<ref name="ae56p47"/> flying on 18 January 1949.<ref name="jawa61p134">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1961|p=134}}</ref> The Saab 91C, first flying in September 1953, retained the O-435 engine, but has a revised four-seat cabin.<ref name="jawa61p135">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1961|p=135}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Have you seen?: 4-place Safir|magazine=[[Flying (magazine)|Flying]]|date=August 1954|volume=55 |issue=2|page=39|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TEObYvmPEG4C}}</ref> The 91D replaced the O-435 with a lighter four-cylinder [[Lycoming O-360|Lycoming O-360-A1A]] engine rated at {{convert|180|hp|kW|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ae56p48">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|p=48}}</ref><ref name="jawa61p135"/>

As well as its primary role as a trainer/touring aircraft, the Safir was used as an aerodynamic testbed. The first prototype was used as a platform for low speed testing of the swept wing for [[Saab 29]] jet fighter, and was later further modified to test the wing for the [[Saab 32]] Lansen fighter.<ref name="ae56p48"/> In addition, one ex-Swedish aircraft was sold to Japan, going through a variety of modifications to test high-lift devices for the [[Shin Meiwa PS-1]] flying boat.<ref name="ae56p48-1">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|pp=48–51}}</ref>

==Operational history== [[File:Saab 91 Safir Pirkkalassa.jpg|thumb|right|Finnish Saab 91D Safir]] Production of the Saab 91A began in 1946, but sales were slow owing to the large numbers of cheap ex-military trainers for sale after the end of the Second World War. Major users of the 91A were the Swedish and Ethiopian Air Forces. In 1951, Sweden ordered 74 91B trainers to replace its remaining Bestmanns, but Saab was busy building J29 Tunnan fighters, so production of the Saab 91B was moved to the Dutch company [[Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding|De Schelde]] at their [[Dordrecht]] factory. De Schelde continued building the Safir until 1955, completing a total of 120 Saab 91B and 91Cs.<ref name="ae56p47"/>

Saab restarted production of the Safir at its [[Linköping]] factory in 1954,<ref name="jawa61p135"/> building 25 Saab 91B-2s for Norway, 30 Saab 91Cs, all for military customers, and 99 Saab 91Ds.<ref name="ae56p47-8"/> Production continued until 1966, when the last Safir, a Saab 91C for Ethiopia, was completed. Total production was 323 aircraft including the prototype.<ref name="ae56p48"/> The Safir was used by the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Austrian, Tunisian, and Ethiopian [[air force]]s as a trainer aircraft, and a single aircraft was used by the [[Japan Defense Agency]] as an [[STOL]] test platform.<ref>[http://www.fcfk.com/safir/sb91/list/91201.htm SAAB Safir s/n 91.201 ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041128083917/http://www.fcfk.com/safir/sb91/list/91201.htm |date=2004-11-28 }}</ref> The type remained in Norwegian and Finnish service until the late 1980s, and in Austria until 1992.<ref name="ae56p48"/> While it was replaced as a trainer by the [[Scottish Aviation Bulldog]] in Sweden in 1971, it remained in use as a liaison aircraft, still being in service in 1994.<ref name="ae56p51">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|p=51}}</ref>

Major civilian users were [[Air France]], [[Lufthansa]] and the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''Rijksluchtvaartschool'' (RLS) on the [[Groningen Airport Eelde]], near [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]].

During development of the [[Saab 29]], the initial Saab 91 prototype was modified with a scaled-down version of the Saab 29's swept wings; this aircraft was designated '''Saab 201 Experimental Aircraft'''. This same airframe was later fitted with wings designed for the [[Saab 32 Lansen]]; this was designated '''Saab 202'''.

A single Saab 91 Safir was modified as the Saab X1G for research in Japan.

==Variants== [[File:Saab Safir 91B.jpg|thumb|Saab Safir 91B trainer taking off from Hahnweide airfield]] *'''91A''' – Original production version, powered by {{convert|145|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] 10 engine. Three seats.<ref name="jawa66 p125"/> 48 built.<ref name="ae56p48"/> Swedish Air Force designation '''Tp 91'''.<ref name="ae56p48"/> *'''91B''' – Three seat version with {{convert|190|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming O-435]].<ref name="jawa66 p125"/> 106 built by De Schelde.<ref name="ae56p48"/> Swedish Air Force designation '''Sk 50B'''.<ref name="ae56p48"/> *'''91B-D''' - Improved 91B. Three built by De Schelde.<ref name="ae56p47-8">{{Harvnb|Ford|1994|pp=47–48}}</ref> *'''91B-2''' – 91B variant for [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] with minor modifications, {{cnspan|mainly a [[constant speed propeller]]|date=August 2019}}. 25 built by Saab for Norway.<ref name="ae56p47-8"/> *'''91C''' – Four seat version of 91B, with fuel tanks moved to the wings,<ref name="flight54 p2">''Flight'' 1 January 1954, p. 2.</ref> and a constant speed propeller.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} Eleven built by De Schelde and 30 by Saab.<ref name="ae56p48"/> Swedish Air Force designation '''Sk 50C'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=SK 50B: Saab 91 Safir |website=flygvapenmuseum |url=https://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/samlingar/flygplan/jamtlands-flyg--och-lottamuseum/sk-50b-50020/ |language=sv |date=3 February 2018 |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818192349/https://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/samlingar/flygplan/jamtlands-flyg--och-lottamuseum/sk-50b-50020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> *'''91D''' – Four-seat version, powered by {{convert|180|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming O-360]] engine driving a constant speed propeller.<ref name="jawa61p135"/> 99 built by Saab.<ref name="ae56p48"/>

==Operators==

===Military operators=== ; {{AUT}} * [[Austrian Air Force]] - received 24 Saab 91Ds from 1964. Remained in service until 1992.<ref name="ae56p48"/> ; {{ETH}} * [[Ethiopian Air Force]] - received 16 Saab 91As from 1947, 8 91Bs and 16 91Cs. Some still remained in service in the early 1980s.<ref name="ae56p48"/> ; {{FIN}} * [[Finnish Air Force]] - 35 Saab 91Ds and 1 91B. Withdrawn from use in late 1980s.<ref name="ae56p48"/> * [[Finnish Frontier Guard]] Former operator ; {{JPN}} * [[Technical Research and Development Institute]] ; {{NOR}} * [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] - received 25 Saab 91B-2s from 1956 and 5 ex-Swedish Air Force 91Bs.<ref name="ae56p48"/> ; {{SWE}} * [[Swedish Air Force]] - received 20 91As, 76 91Bs and 14 91Cs.<ref name="ae56p48"/> ; {{TUN}} * [[Tunisian Air Force]] - received one 91B-D and 14 91Ds.<ref name="ae56p48"/>

===Civil operators=== ;{{AUS}} ;{{FRA}} * [[Air France]] ;{{GER}} * [[Lufthansa]] ;{{IDN}} *[[Politeknik Penerbangan Indonesia Curug]] ;{{NED}} * [[Real Logistics Services International|RLS]] ;{{PAR}} * [[Paraguayan Aeroclub]] ;{{GBR}} * [[Kelvin Hughes]] - one 91-C (G-ANOK) used as a development and test aircraft.

==Specifications (91A)== [[File:Saab 91B Safir.jpg|thumb|right|Saab 91B "Safir"]] {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59,<ref name=JAWA58-59>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1958 |publisher=Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. |location=London |pages=245–246}}</ref> Safir in the Air<ref name="In the air">Smith, 1947, pp. 459–462.</ref> |prime units?=met  |crew=1 |capacity=2 passengers |length m=7.8 |length note= |span m=10.6 |span note= |height m=2.2 |height note= |wing area sqm=13.6 |wing area note= |aspect ratio=8.3 |airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 23018]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 4412]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> |empty weight kg=580-610 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=955 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=1075 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity={{cvt|110|L|USgal impgal}} with {{cvt|25|L|USgal impgal}} reserve |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[de Havilland Gipsy Major X]] |eng1 type=4-cylinder |eng1 kw=108 |eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=fixed or variable-pitch propeller |prop dia m= |prop dia note=  |max speed kmh=265 |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh=235 |cruise speed note=economical cruise ::::{{cvt|248|km/h|mph kn|0}} max cruise |stall speed kmh=85 |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |range km=960 |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m=4600 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |climb rate ms=5 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading kg/m2=73.2 |wing loading note=at normal loaded weight |fuel consumption kg/km= |power/mass={{cvt|0.0638|hp/lb|order=flip}} |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Sweden|Aviation}} {{aircontent |related= |similar aircraft= * [[Bücker Bü 181]] * [[De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk|DHC-1 Chipmunk]] * [[T-34 Mentor]] * [[Valmet Tuuli]] |sequence= |see also= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

* {{cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Daniel |title=Enduring Gem: SAAB's long serving Safir trainer |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=Winter 1994 |issue=56 |pages=45–51 |issn=0143-5450 }} * {{cite magazine |title=SAAB 91C SAFIR : Personal Impressions on a Brief Air Test |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=1 January 1954 |volume= 65 |issue= 2345 |pages=2–3, 21 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200008.html |access-date=17 August 2019 }} * {{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Maurice A. |title=Safir in the Air |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=23 October 1947 |volume= LII |issue= 2026 |pages=459–462 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%201819.html |access-date=17 August 2019 }} * {{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=John W. R. |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62 |date=1961 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company|location=London }} * {{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=John W. R. |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67 |date=1966 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company|location=London }}

==External links== {{commons category|Saab 91}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040919211302/http://www.saabsafir.com/ Ärna Flygclubb Swedish language] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060514093018/http://www.fcfk.com/safir/ FC Flygkubb] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050831191438/http://www.hb-dbl.ch/ SAAB 91 D Safir – HB-DBL] * [http://www.sibwings.com/safirx.php SAAB 91 Safir for MS Flight Simulator ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805061015/http://www.sibwings.com/safirx.php |date=2013-08-05 }}

[[Category:Saab aircraft|91]] [[Category:1940s Swedish military trainer aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1945]] [[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]