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SCANDINAVIAN
HISTORIC FLIGHT
P.O.BOX 134 Lilleaker,
N-0216 OSLO, Norway |
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AIRCRAFT
SAAB TF-35 Draken
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| Specifications |
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| Powerplant: |
One Volvo Flygmotor RM6C
rated at 8,000 kp in afterburner |
| Wingspan: |
9,4 m (30 ft. 10 in.) |
| Length: |
15,3 m (50 ft.) |
Max. weight:
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16,000 kg (35,300 lbs.)
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| Performance |
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| Max.speed: |
Mach 2.0+ |
| Typical cruise: |
Mach .89 @ 30,000 ft. |
| Range: |
1708 NM @ 30,000 ft
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| Endurance: |
3 hrs. 30 min |
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In 1949, the innovative SAAB aircraft company in Sweden launched studies of a new fighter aircraft that would supersede the J-29 and A-32 jet fighters. The design requirements called for high supersonic speeds, high rate of climb and high service ceiling. Short runway requirements and ease of maintenance were also important. Prolific aircraft designer Erik Bratt and his team of engineers settled on the double delta configuration which gave the Draken (Dragon) its very characteristic profile. After several model experiments, a reduced size prototype, the SAAB 210 "LillDraken" (Little Dragon) was built to flight test the configuration. Following flight testing of the reduced size prototype, the first flight of the full-scale prototype took place in October 1955. The aircraft proved to have outstanding performance in terms of speed, climb and agility. It was an aircraft well ahead of its time. It went into operational service in 1960 with the unit F-13 in Norrköping starting a long and successful career in the Swedish Air Force. The Draken was also acquired by the air forces of Denmark, Finland and Austria. The aircraft is still in service with the Swedish Air Force after several upgrades, proof of a great design. A total of 606 of the different Draken versions were built.
The Scandinavian Historic Flight Draken, OY-SKA, a TF-35 two seat fighter-trainer, was presented to the flight by the Royal Danish Air Force in 1994 after this type had been phased out of their inventory. Although the aircraft was in excellent condition, it had to be outfitted with a full civilian avionics suite, a major undertaking. After a considerable technical and bureaucratic effort, a civilian certification was granted. The aircraft retains its Royal Danish Air Force paint scheme. It is based at Karup Airbase in Denmark and looked after by Danish SHF active members. The Draken quickly became very sought after by airshow organizers. The aircraft is the first true supersonic fighter flown by a European vintage aircraft operator.
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