Watch This World War II Saab B17A Bomber Amazing Airshow Performance

A Swedish Warplane with a Unique Role

While many aircraft of World War II are remembered for their direct combat roles, the Swedish Saab B 17A stands out for both its unique design and limited numbers. Originally developed in the early 1940s, the Saab 17 was Sweden’s first all-metal aircraft built with a stressed skin structure. It was designed as both a reconnaissance and dive-bomber platform, and while Sweden stayed neutral during the war, it still developed a strong homegrown aviation industry. The B 17’s most distinctive feature was its dive-bombing system: the landing gear doors doubled as dive brakes. When extended during a dive, these large gear doors slowed the plane’s descent, helping pilots maintain accuracy when releasing bombs and pull out safely.

The B 17A model, powered by a 1,065 hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp C-3 engine, was the most produced version. Later variants used different engines, including British and Italian designs. The aircraft could also be fitted with skis for snow operations or floats for sea-based missions, depending on terrain and season. In total, only 322 were built, and today, just five survive. Of those, only one still flies.

Blå Johan: The Lone Survivor in the Sky

The last flying Saab B 17A is known as “Blå Johan.” Owned and operated by Saab AB, it was brought back to life in the late 1990s after nearly three decades in storage. Saab staff proposed restoring it in time for the company’s 60th anniversary in 1997. After extensive restoration work, the aircraft’s engine was successfully restarted on April 1, 1997, sending out smoke and fire in a dramatic return to life. Since then, it has appeared at airshows, including one recently filmed during a Saturday morning performance, continuing to represent a rare part of Swedish aviation history.

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