A Forgotten Sweden’s WWII Most Versatile Dive Bomber

During World War II, Sweden remained neutral but still took serious steps to protect its borders. The country’s air force, known as the Flygvapnet, needed strong and flexible aircraft to handle multiple missions across its rugged terrain. This led to the creation of the Saab B17, a Swedish dive bomber that is rarely mentioned today but played an important part in Sweden’s military aviation during the war years.

The Saab B17 was Sweden’s first domestically produced aircraft under the Saab name. What made it stand out was its ability to operate in various weather and terrain conditions. It could be equipped with wheels for runways, skis for snow, or floats for water landings. This flexibility allowed it to be used across the country, regardless of season or environment. Designed for dive bombing and reconnaissance, the B17 could strike targets with precision—something few aircraft of its size could manage at the time.

Origins in a Time of Growing Tension

The story of the B17 began in the late 1930s when tensions were rising across Europe. Although Sweden wanted to stay out of the conflict, the government understood that a strong defense was still necessary. In 1936, Sweden launched an ambitious plan to expand its air force. The goal was to build nearly 300 combat aircraft and almost 100 training planes by 1943.

At that time, Sweden’s aircraft industry was still developing. Most of its planes came from licensed foreign designs, such as German and American models. However, it became clear that the country needed to rely more on its own industry for future defense. In 1938, the Swedish Air Force called for a new reconnaissance aircraft to replace the outdated Fokker S6 biplanes. This request sparked the beginning of what would become the Saab B17.

The Birth of Saab and the L-10 Project

The company that started the project was ASJA (AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning). ASJA had experience assembling foreign aircraft and began designing a modern monoplane called the L-10. In 1937, ASJA merged with the newly formed Saab (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget), combining experience with resources. The L-10 became Saab’s first serious step into aircraft production.

The new design aimed to cover more than just reconnaissance. Saab engineers built the aircraft with dive bombing and light bombing in mind, understanding that a small air force like Sweden’s needed aircraft that could perform multiple tasks. Development, however, was not without problems. Engine shortages during the war meant Saab had to reuse engines between different aircraft. After test flights, the engines were taken out and installed in the next airframe to keep production moving.

Flight Testing and Design Challenges

The first prototype flew in May 1940, powered by a Bristol Mercury engine. A second test aircraft followed, this time using an American Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine. The success of these test flights led to the Swedish Air Force placing orders for two versions of the aircraft: the B17 bomber and the S17 reconnaissance model.

However, early B17s faced issues with wing strength, especially during dive bombing. The wings weren’t strong enough for the stress of steep dives and sometimes failed under pressure. Saab quickly worked to fix the problem by reinforcing the wing structure. By 1942, improved B17s began entering service. Production continued until August 1944, with 324 units built in total.

Design Features That Made It Unique

The B17 was built as a mid-wing monoplane, meaning the wings were attached at the middle of the fuselage and didn’t need outside support wires. This improved both strength and flight performance. The aircraft had a long fuselage and carried a crew of two—a pilot and an observer who also operated the rear gun.

Its wings stretched 13.7 meters wide, and the full length of the aircraft was just under 33 feet. One notable design detail was its landing gear. The wheels retracted into fairings under the wings, which also worked as air brakes during dive bombing runs. This gave the plane better control during steep dives, helping it carry out more accurate attacks on targets.