SAAB 29: The Ultimate ‘Flying Barrel Fighter’ for Battling Russia

by Maya Carlin, Warrior Contributor, Weapons

Meet the Saab 29: Nicknamed the “Flying Barrel” for its portly, almost comical appearance, the Saab S29 or Saab 29 Tunnan in fact was a fast and maneuverable dual fighter-bomber that served the Swedish Air Force for over two decades. Although these airframes no longer fly the skies, the three remaining Tunnans can be viewed in museums across Europe.

The Origin Story of the Saab 29

At the end of the Second World War, it was clear that the jet aircraft was the way of the future.

As nations scrambled to research and build their own jet fighters, Sweden felt that it was falling behind. As the 1940s drew to a close, the only jet fighter fielded by the Swedish Air Force was the Saab S21R, a straight-wing turboprop aircraft modified to accommodate a jet engine.

The initial development process included two designs, one being the round basis for the Saab 29. Its aerodynamics were heavily influenced by information from abroad, most notably Nazi scientists who fled to Sweden at the end of the war.

These aerodynamic designers unequivocally demonstrated that a swept wing was superior at high speeds. Consequently, designers of the S29 included a 25-degree sweep in the wings.

The development of the S29 was greatly aided in that the British company de Havilland had just finished the production of its Ghost engine. Originally, Saab had planned to use another de Havilland engine, the Goblin.