View source for Saab 29 Tunnan

{{Short description|1948 Swedish fighter aircraft family}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name            = Saab 29 ''Tunnan''<br>{{small|{{lang|sv|Flygande Tunnan}} ''/ The Flying Barrel''}}
 |image           = Saab J 29F Tunnan 29670 SE-DXB på uppvisning i Karlstad 2025 (cropped).jpg
 |type            = [[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]]
 |national_origin = Sweden
 |manufacturer    = [[Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget]] (SAAB)
 |designer        = 
 |first_flight    = 1 September 1948
 |introduction    = 1951
 |retired         = 1976
 |primary_user    = [[Swedish Air Force]]
 |more_users      = [[Austrian Air Force]]
 |produced        = 1948–1956
 |number_built    = 661
 |unit cost       = 
}}
The '''Saab 29 ''Tunnan''''' ("The Barrel"), colloquially {{lang|sv|'''Flygande Tunnan'''}}, or '''''The Flying Barrel''''' in [[English language|English]],{{efn|The names of Swedish combat aircraft, like Viggen or Draken, are in the definite form while non-combat aircraft like [[Saab Safir]] are in indefinite form.{{Sfn|Nilsson|2012}}{{Sfn|Saab AB|2014}}}}{{efn|The aircraft's nickname has commonly been translated into English as "The Flying Barrel" since the 1950s.{{Sfn|SAAB|1960}}{{Sfn|Saab AB|2014}}}} is an early [[jet propulsion|jet-powered]] [[fighter aircraft]] designed and produced by the [[Sweden|Swedish]] aircraft manufacturer [[Saab Group|Saab]]. It was the second [[turbojet]]-powered combat aircraft to be developed in Sweden, the first being the [[Saab 21R]], and it was the first [[Western European]] fighter to be produced with a [[swept wing]] after the [[Second World War]], only being preceded in Western Europe as a whole by the [[Messerschmitt Me 262]] built during the conflict.<ref name="boyne 547">Boyne 2002, p. 547.</ref><ref name="saab 1940">[http://saabgroup.com/about-company/history/1940s/ "1940s."] ''Saab'', Retrieved: 27 March 2016.</ref>

Work on what would become the Tunnan commenced in late 1945. The design, internally designated ''R 1001'', had a barrel-like fuselage due to being powered by the recently-developed [[de Havilland Ghost]] turbojet engine, giving it the distinctive rotund appearance from which its name is derived. A relatively thin swept wing configuration was adopted after wartime aerodynamic research from Germany indicated its favourable high speed qualities. The [[Swedish Air Force]] placed an initial order for three prototypes under the service designation ''J 29'' during Autumn 1946. On 1 September 1948, the first prototype performed its [[maiden flight]]; flight testing proved the aircraft to exceed performance estimates in several aspects.

During May 1951, [[Bråvalla Wing]] (F 13) received the first production aircraft.<ref name="boyne 547" /> Five principal variants of the Tunnan were produced; the first model to enter service being the ''J 29A'' fighter, the more capable ''J 29B'' and ''J 29E'' fighters, and finally the [[afterburner]]-equipped ''J 29F'' fighter. A dedicated [[aerial reconnaissance]] model, the ''S 29C'', was also produced. During the 1960s, several J 29Bs saw combat while stationed in the [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Republic of Congo]] as Sweden's contribution to a UN peacekeeping mission ([[ONUC]]). The [[Austrian Air Force]] also operated the type. In service, the J 29 proved to be relatively fast and agile. The Swedish Air Force operated the type in both fighter and [[fighter-bomber]] roles into the 1970s.

== Development ==
Sweden had fallen behind the rapid technical progress being made elsewhere, and [[Saab AB|Saab]] needed to catch up in terms of aerodynamics and jet propulsion.<ref name="widf 3">Widfeldt 1966, p. 3.</ref> Accordingly, project "JxR" was initiated in late 1945 and requirements were drawn up in October 1945.<ref name="flight 556">''Flight'' 1950, p. 556.</ref> A pair of proposals were presented by the Saab design team, led by [[Lars Brising]]. The first of these, codenamed '''R 101''', nicknamed {{lang|sv|'''cigarren'''}} ("the cigar") due to its shape, bore a strong resemblance to the American [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star]]. The second design, which was chosen, was the [[barrel (storage)|barrel]]-shaped design, codenamed '''R 1001''', which proved to be both faster and more agile.<ref name="Gobel">{{cite web |author=Goebel, Greg |url=http://www.vectorsite.net/avj29.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020614204732/http://www.vectorsite.net/avj29.html |title=The SAAB 29 Tunnan |website=vectorsite.net |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=4 December 2010 |archive-date=14 June 2002}}</ref> The nickname "the barrel" evolved early from this design, but for a while it also had the nickname {{lang|sv|'''tusen och en natt'''}} ("[[One Thousand and One Nights]]") after the project number 1001.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jaktplan |work=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] (Svd) |issue=1948-06-05 |page=9 |language=sv}}</ref>

The R 1001 concept had a straight wing, but after the engineers obtained German swept wing research data, it was given a 25 degree sweep. Information on swept wings came through Switzerland and included drawings for the [[Messerschmitt P.1101]], [[Messerschmitt P.1110|P.1110]], [[Messerschmitt P.1111|P.1111]] and [[Messerschmitt P.1112|P.1112]]. SAAB's project manager, [[Frid Wänström]], collected these documents in 1945 from Messerschmitt engineers who escaped to Switzerland at the end of the War. Among them were engineer and aerodynamicist [[Hermann Behrbohm]], who joined Saab's J 29 team. These documents clearly indicated delta and swept-wing designs "reduc[e] drag dramatically as the aircraft approached the sound barrier."<ref name="erichs 37">Erichs et al. 1988, p. 37.</ref>

To make the wing as thin as possible, the [[landing gear|undercarriage]] retracted into the fuselage, rather than the wings.<ref name="flight 558"/><ref name="widf 4"/> [[Wind tunnel]] testing at the [[Royal Institute of Technology|Swedish Royal University of Technology]] and by the [[National Aeronautical Research Institute]] also influenced its aerodynamics.<ref name="flight 557">''Flight'' 1950, p. 557.</ref> These tests determined the required fuselage form to ensure it could attain the targeted critical [[Mach number]], as well as supporting the use of a straight-through airflow to maximize thrust.<ref name="flight 556-557">''Flight'' 1950, pp. 556–557.</ref> Automatically locking [[leading edge slot]]s, interconnected with the [[flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s, were also deemed necessary for lateral stability during take-off and landing. To further verify the swept wing, a [[Saab Safir]] was modified with a full-scale wing as the '''Saab 201'''.<ref name="erichs 37"/><ref name="flight 557" /> The finalized design, incorporating the new information was drawn up in January 1946.<ref>Widfeldt 1966, pp. 4–5.</ref>

[[File:SAAB J29 Tunnan.jpg|thumb|Saab S 29C ''Tunnan'' at Swedish Air Force Museum, Linköping]]
[[File:J 29F cockpit.jpg|thumb|The cockpit of a J 29F, 2013]]

The original powerplant was to have been the [[de Havilland Goblin]] [[turbojet]], however, in December 1945, the more powerful [[de Havilland Ghost]] became available. This was ideal as not only was the Ghost set up for a circular air intake, its diameter would fit within the planned fuselage.<ref name="flight 556"/> Following negotiations between de Havilland and Saab, the Ghost engine was selected to power the type.<ref name="widf 4">Widfeldt 1966, p. 4.</ref>

Despite early doubts for the supply of an equivalent to the American 75S aluminium [[alloy]], Svenska Metallverken was able to manufacture it, although significantly larger sections were used than typical for aircraft construction.<ref>''Flight'' 1950, pp. 557-558.</ref> The structure employed heavy frames and stressed skin to meet conflicting requirements on space, strength, rigidity and accessibility.<ref name="flight 558"/>

The [[Swedish Air Force]] requested verification of the performance and a production plan for the project in February 1946.<ref name="widf 5"/> In Autumn 1946, the Swedish Air Force formally ordered three prototypes, with the type designation ''J 29''.<ref name="widf 5"/> Static testing of the full-scale mock-up revealed problems with pressure cabin leaks, and concerning [[aileron]] behavior. A [[hydraulic]] system was installed to solve the latter issue.<ref name="flight 558"/><ref name="widf 5">Widfeldt 1966, p. 5.</ref> However, these modifications delayed the first flight until after the hoped for date of 1 August 1948.<ref name="widf 5"/>

The first flight by a ''Saab 29'' prototype was on 1 September 1948, was made by [[Squadron leader|S/L]] 'Bob' Moore,<ref name="flight 558">''Flight'' 1950, p. 558.</ref> who was later the first managing director of [[Saab Group|Saab GB, UK]].<ref name="Gobel"/> A problem with the landing gear affected the expected top speed of the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flygande Tunnan fyller 70 – Flygvapenbloggen|url=https://blogg.forsvarsmakten.se/flygvapenbloggen/2018/08/31/flygande-tunnan-fyller-70/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=blogg.forsvarsmakten.se|archive-date=2021-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117062635/https://blogg.forsvarsmakten.se/flygvapenbloggen/2018/08/31/flygande-tunnan-fyller-70/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the flight, Moore described the aircraft as "on the ground an ugly duckling – in the air, a swift."  Because of the shape of its fuselage, the Saab J 29 quickly received the nickname ''Flygande Tunnan'' ("The Flying Barrel"), or ''Tunnan'' ("The Barrel") for short. While not appreciated by SAAB, its short form was eventually adopted officially.<ref>[http://www.saabgroup.com/en/about-saab/saab-history/timeline/1940/saab-29-tunnan-jas-29-in-the-swedish-air-force/ "History: Saab 29 Tunnan: JAS 29 in the Swedish Air Force."]  Saab.  Retrieved 21 March 2015.</ref>

Four prototypes were built for the test program. The first two lacked armament, carrying heavy test equipment in their place instead. The third was armed with four {{cvt|20|mm}} cannons.<ref name="widf 6"/> [[air brake (aeronautics)|Air brake]]s on the fuselage and on the wings behind the rear spar and both conventional and combined [[aileron]]/[[flap (aeronautics)|flap]] arrangements were tested.<ref name="flight 558" /> Flight tests revealed that the J 29 prototypes could exceed the maximum Mach number for which they had been designed and flight performance figures were typically in excess of predicted values.<ref name="widf 6"/>

Quantity production commenced in 1948; during May 1951, [[Bråvalla Wing]] (F 13) received the first production aircraft.<ref name="boyne 547" />

The Tunnan was produced in five main variants.

The '''J 29A''' fighter was the first model to enter service, and was followed by the '''J 29B''' and '''J 29E''' fighters, and finally the [[afterburner]]-equipped '''J 29F''' fighter, which was the final variant built. There was also a dedicated reconnaissance variant, the '''S 29C'''.<ref name="boyne 547" /><ref>Widfeldt 1966, pp. 6–12.</ref> Between 1950 and 1956, 661 Tunnans were completed, the largest production run for any Saab aircraft.<ref name="Gobel" />

== Design ==
[[File:SAABJ29atSoderhamnmuseum.jpg|thumb|J 29F ''Tunnan'' 29666/T at Soderhamn /F 15 Aviation Museum, Söderhamn Airport]]
The Saab 29 Tunnan was the first Swedish aircraft to be specifically designed to use jet propulsion. Sweden's first jet fighter, the [[Saab 21R]], had been modified from the piston-engined [[Saab 21]].<ref name="flight 556-557"/> It is a small, chubby aircraft with a single round air intake in the nose, with the pilot under a [[bubble canopy]] directly above the air intake duct on the upper-forward section of the fuselage. It has a very thin mid-mounted moderately swept two-spar wing which is a single structure attached to the fuselage by four bolts.<ref name="flight 558" /> The [[landing gear|undercarriage]] is hydraulically operated, and was designed to be suitable for use from rough airstrips.<ref name="flight 558" /> To improve pilot survivability, the Tunnan used an [[ejection seat]] Saab developed in 1943, with an explosive jettisoning system for the canopy.<ref name="flight 558" />

The Tunnan is powered with a single {{cvt|22.4|kN}} [[de Havilland Ghost]] [[turbojet]]<ref name="flight 558"/> which have a top speed in excess of {{cvt|1050|km/h}}, better performance than Sweden's [[de Havilland Vampire]]s. The engine was bolted to the fuselage at three points and a special trolley was used to remove the engine for maintenance.<ref name="flight 558"/> The final version had an [[afterburner]], the first successful one used with a British jet engine.<ref name="widf 8"/>

Improvements were made to the wing to incorporate a [[Leading-edge extension#Dogtooth extension|dog-tooth]] leading edge, raising the critical [[Mach number]]. From 1963 onwards, all frontline J 29Fs were equipped with [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[infrared]]-seeking [[air-to-air missile]]s.<ref name="widf 8-9" />

== Operational history ==
=== Sweden ===
[[File:SAAB J29 Tunnan-8589 (cropped).jpg|thumb|J 29F in Swedish colors]]
[[File:Tunnan at Malmen 2010-06-13 3.jpg|thumb|Tunnan at the Swedish Armed Forces' Airshow]]
The J 29 was fast and agile, and set the world speed record on a {{cvt|500|km}} closed circuit in 1954<ref name="FAI">[http://records.fai.org/general_aviation/aircraft.asp?id=2846 "General Aviation World Records: Saab J 29."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113222509/http://records.fai.org/general_aviation/aircraft.asp?id=2846 |date=2007-11-13 }} ''Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)''. Retrieved: 18 February 2009.</ref> at 977&nbsp;km/h (607.05&nbsp;mph). Two S 29C (reconnaissance variant) additionally set an international speed record of 900.6&nbsp;km/h (559.4&nbsp;mph) over a {{convert|1,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} closed-circuit course in 1955.<ref name="saab 1940"/><ref name="FAI" />
 
The crash record in early service was poor, mainly due to the inexperience with swept-winged aircraft and the lack of a two-seat, [[dual control (aviation)|dual control]] Tunnan trainer variant: this meant that Swedish fighter pilots could only be trained using two seat variants of the [[de Havilland Vampire]] (a straight-winged jet), before going solo in a Tunnan.  99 pilots were killed during military practice flights in Sweden.<ref name="Gobel"/>

In May 1967, the fighter versions of the Tunnan was retired from combat service; however, a number of aircraft were retained and reconfigured for use as [[countermeasure]]s trainers and for [[target tug|target towing]] duties into the 1970s.<ref name="boyne 547"/> In August 1976, the last official military flight was performed at the Swedish Air Force's 50th anniversary air show.<ref name="boyne 547"/>

=== Austria ===
On 27 January 1961, the Swedish Government authorized the Air Board to sell 15 J 29F Tunnans to Saab for restoration and resale to the [[Austrian Air Force]]. Like the Swedish counterpart, the Saab 29 came to be colloquially called “flying barrel”  (''Fliegende Tonne'') or just “barrel” (''Tonne'') in Austria.<ref name="gotech"/><ref name="airpower „Tonne“">{{cite web |title=S-65OE mit einer "Tonne" |url=http://www.airpower.at/buecher/oelk/s149-800.jpg |publisher=airpower.at |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514030547/http://www.airpower.at/buecher/oelk/s149-800.jpg |archive-date=2006-05-14}}</ref><ref name="ointres Österrike">{{cite web |title=J29 i Österrike |url=https://www.ointres.se/j29_i_osterrike.htm |website=ointres.se |access-date=2024-03-11}}</ref><ref name="F18 kamraten 58/18">{{cite web |title=F18-Kamraten-nr-58-minsta-filstorlek.pdf |url=https://www.f18.se/joomla/images/stories/tidningen/F18-Kamraten-nr-58-minsta-filstorlek.pdf |website=f18.se |access-date=2024-03-11 |page=25}}</ref>

In 1962, the sale of a further 15 J 29F aircraft to Austria was authorized.<ref name="widf 10">Widfeldt 1966, p. 10.</ref> This second batch was modified so a camera pod could be installed in the port side of the nose of each aircraft, which required the removal of two cannons. The interchangeable camera pod could be exchanged in roughly 30 minutes, and the cameras could be redirected in flight from the cockpit.<ref>Widfeldt 1966, pp. 10-11.</ref> Due to the limitations of the 1955 [[Austrian State Treaty]], these were never armed with [[air-to-air missiles]].<ref>Lombardi 2007, p. 165.</ref> The Tunnan remained in Austrian Air Force service until 1972.<ref name="Gobel"/>

On 20 October 1964 at 9:48&nbsp;a.m., two Austrian J 29Fs, of the second fighter bomber wing (''2. Staffel/JaBo-Geschwader''), took off from the base in Linz; the first, Bu. No. 29559 "E", was piloted by Sergeant Johan Kemetinger, the second, Bu. No. 29627 "L", was piloted by Staff Sergeant Alfred Erdler. In bad weather and a radio beacon mix-up, the pilots "smoked" and crossed the airspace of the then Czechoslovakia. Due to the bad weather, they could not even be intercepted by the emergency pair, who had to stay at the airport. The Austrian pilots thus got deep into the interior of the country and after finding that they had fuel for about the last 2 minutes of the flight, the pilots, believing that the field on which they landed was solid enough, landed in a field in the area of the village of Ořech in the Prague-West district. Coincidentally, just a few kilometres from the civilian Prague-Ruzyně airport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gotech.at/saab_j29f_tunnan.htm |title=Saab J-29F "Tunnan" |website=gotech.at}}</ref> One machine lost its landing gear on landing, the other overturned on a ditch, the pilot was trapped and had to be rescued by people working in the field. Both pilots were returned to their homeland after two days. The planes followed them later by rail.

=== UN operations in the Congo ===
[[File:J-29 jets in the Congo.jpg|thumb|UN J 29 fighters in the Congo]]
The Tunnan was the first Swedish jet aircraft to see combat. In response to an appeal by the [[United Nations]] (UN) for military support in September 1961, an initial force of five J 29Bs organized as the F 22 Wing of the [[Swedish Air Force]], were stationed in the [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Republic of Congo]] as Sweden's contribution to a UN peacekeeping mission ([[ONUC]]).<ref name="widf 9">Widfeldt 1966, p. 9.</ref> They were  subsequently reinforced by four more J 29Bs and two S 29C photo reconnaissance Tunnans in 1962.<ref name="widf 10" /> The Tunnans received ''UN'' identifying markings on their fuselages.<ref name="widf 9" />

Most missions involved attacking ground targets with cannons and unguided rockets but no aircraft were lost in action despite heavy [[Anti-aircraft artillery|ground fire]]. The consensus of the crews and foreign observers was that the Tunnan's capabilities were exceptional.<ref>[http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Jakt/118J29.htm "J 29 – SAAB 29 ”Flygande tunnan” (1951–1976)."] ''Avrosys.'' Retrieved 4 December 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1239633 "J 29 Tunnan."] ''Everything2.'' Retrieved 4 December 2010.</ref> Their secessionist adversaries used a few [[Fouga Magister]]s and other aircraft with no air combat capabilities.

Swedish pilots refused some requests for close air support to ground troops, reasoning that the risk of civilian casualties was too high. In November 1962, the Swedish air commander refused a direct order to destroy the  secessionist's Fouga Magisters since they were unarmed.<ref name="walterdorn.net">{{cite web |title=The UN's First "Air Force": Peacekeepers in Combat, Congo 1960–64 |url=https://walterdorn.net/189-un-first-air-force-peacekeepers-in-combat-congo-1960-64 |website=walterdorn.net |access-date=2022-07-10 |ref=Journal of Military History, vol. 77, no. 4 (October 2013), pp. 1399–1425}}</ref>

The only aircraft lost was by a high-ranking officer who crashed during an aborted takeoff for a test flight. When [[ONUC]] ended in 1964, some of the Swedish aircraft were deliberately destroyed at their base, as they were no longer needed in Sweden, having been superseded by later variants, and the cost of returning them wasn't justified.<ref name="widf 10" />

== Variants ==
* '''A''' – {{lang|sv|attack}} ("attack")
* '''J''' – {{lang|sv|jakt}} ("pursuit")
* '''S''' – {{lang|sv|spaning}} ("reconnaissance")
* '''SK''' – {{lang|sv|skol}} ("school")

The prefix corresponds with the designated role and does not have to correspond with a specific design: a Saab 29B equipped with attack rockets is still given the fighter prefix "J" if assigned to a fighter wing with the primary role of being a fighter, however, the same aircraft assigned to an attacker wing with the primary role of being an attacker would instead be given the attacker prefix "A".

{{Tree list}}
{{big|Saab R 1001}}
*
** {{Tree list/final branch}}'''J 29''' – four prototypes built in 1948–1950.<ref name="widf 6">Widfeldt 1966, p. 6.</ref>

{{big|Saab 29 A}}
{{Multiple image | total_width = 300
| image1 = J 29A1.png | caption1 = Early production model (J 29 A:1) with wing-mounted dive brakes.
| image2 = J 29A2.jpg | caption2 = Main production model (J 29 A:2) with fuselage-mounted dive brakes.
}}
*
** '''J 29A1''' ('''J 29 A:1''')<ref>{{cite web |title=Inglasat foto på flygande J 29 A:1, SAAB "Tunnan" |url=https://digitaltmuseum.se/021025518159/tavla |website=digitaltmuseum.se |access-date=2024-03-11}}</ref> – fighter, 32 built from 1950 to 1951; early series with wing-mounted dive brakes.<ref name="Berns 96">{{cite book |last1=Amelin |first1=Björn |editor1-last=Berns |editor1-first=Lennart |title=Flygande tunnan : en antologi |date=1996 |publisher=Allt om hobby |location=Stockholm |isbn=9185496790 |url=https://libris.kb.se/bib/7749585 |language=sv}}</ref><ref name="SFI 29A/B">{{cite book |title=SFI 29 A och B : speciell förarinstruktion : fastställes den 22/12 1954 |date=1954-12-22 |publisher=Kungliga flygförvaltningen (Royal Swedish Air Force Materiel Administration) |location=Stockholm |page=22 |url=https://libris.kb.se/bib/11328013}}</ref>
**{{Tree list/final branch}} '''J 29A2''' ('''J 29 A:2''')<ref>{{cite web |title=Inglasat fotografi på J 29A:2 |url=https://digitaltmuseum.se/021025518173/tavla |website=digitaltmuseum.se |access-date=2024-03-11}}</ref> – fighter, 192 built from 1951 to 1954; later series with fuselage-mounted dive brakes ahead of the main landing gear doors.<ref>Widfeldt 1966, pp. 6–7.</ref><ref name="Berns 96"/><ref name="SFI 29A/B"/>

{{big|Saab 29 B}}
*
** '''J 29B''' – fighter, 332 built 1953–1955; featured 50% larger fuel capacity and underwing [[hardpoint]]s to carry bombs, rockets and drop-tanks.<ref name="widf 7">Widfeldt 1966, p. 7.</ref>
*** '''A 29B''' – attacker, same aircraft as the J 29B, when serving with attack units;<ref name="widf 7"/><ref name="beredskapsläget 57">{{cite document |id=SE/KrA/0602/A/003:H/F 2/6 |year=1957 |title=0602 Flygförvaltningen, A Flygförvaltningen 1922 – 1971, Materielavdelningen 1942 – 1954, F 2 Ärenden kring beredskapsläget, Volym 6 |trans-title=0602 Air Force Materiel Administration, A Air Force Materiel Administration 1922 – 1971, Materiel department 1942 – 1954, F 2 Matters regarding the state of preparedness, Volume 6 |language=sv |location=Sweden |publisher=Flygförvaltningens arkiv via Krigsarkivet (the Royal Swedish Air Force Materiel Administration archive, via the Swedish Military Archive)}}{{URL|1=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/arkiv/hnj2OZG3pKEMpj3UrtUyF2}}</ref> painted with olive green wingtips and fin from 1954 onward.<ref name="kronmärkt s50">{{cite book |title=Kronmärkt : målning och märkning av svenska militärflygplan under 1900-talet / Leif Hellström, Leif Fredin. |date=2000 |publisher=Allt om hobby |isbn=9172430036 |page=50 |url=https://libris.kb.se/bib/7627440}}</ref>
** '''SK 29B''' – advanced trainer, 0 built (offered 1950); featured a two-seat cabin; duplicate ejection seats, gunsights and controls; no armament, armor, cabin lights or external lights; less fuel in the upper body tank.<ref name="SK 29 sbs">{{cite journal |title=Gammal scoopmat: |journal=Flygvapennytt |ID=nr 5 1971 |page=28 |publisher=Swedish Air Force |language=sv}}</ref>
*** '''SK 29B''' (side-by-side) – proposal with side-by-side seats<ref name="SK 29 sbs"/>
***{{Tree list/final branch}} '''SK 29B''' (tandem) – proposal with tandem seats

{{big|Saab 29 C}}
[[File:J-29 reconnaissance-variant at Kamina Air Base.jpg|thumb|S 29C (late) with E-wing serving with the 22 U.N. Fighter Squadron in Kongo.]]
*
** '''S 29C''' (early) – unarmed photo reconnaissance, 76 built from 1954 through 1956; based on the Saab 29B, with 5 cameras mounted in a modified nose (no armament was carried);<ref name="widf 8"/> painted with olive green wingtips and fin from 1954 onward.<ref name="kronmärkt s50"/>
**{{Tree list/final branch}} '''S 29C''' (late) – S 29C modified with the improved wing design introduced on the Saab 29E, sometimes unofficially called ''S 29E''.<ref name="widf 8"/>

{{big|Saab 29 D}}
{{Multiple image | total_width = 300
| image1 = J 29 HSS 825 attrapper 1.jpg
| image2 = J 29 HSS 825 attrapper 2.jpg
| footer = J 29A (s/n 29137) with 30 mm HSS 825 mockups, 1952.
}}
*
** '''J 29D''' – proposed fighter variant with [[afterburner]]; a single prototype was built to test the afterburning Ghost RM 2A turbojet with 27.5&nbsp;kN (2,800&nbsp;kgp/6,175&nbsp;lbf) afterburning thrust. Prototype ultimately converted to J 29 F standard as the J 29F prototype.<ref name="widf 8">Widfeldt 1966, p. 8.</ref>
*** '''J 29D ''' ('''alt 1.''') – proposal (alternative 1) fitted with a target acquisition radar in a nose radome either above the nose intake or placed inside it.<ref name="Forslund 2017">{{cite book |title=Saab 29 : 'Flygande tunnan' / Mikael Forslund; colour illustrations by Thierry Vallet; translation: Jan Forsgren. |isbn=9788365281340 |url=https://libris.kb.se/bib/20219710}}</ref>
***{{Tree list/final branch}} '''J 29D''' ('''alt 2.''') – proposal (alternative 2)<ref name="Forslund 2017"/> fitted the type with 4 × 30&nbsp;mm Hispano HSS 825 guns.<ref>Swedish archive document collection: FF materialavdelningen, serie E I, volym 9</ref> One J 29A (number 29137) trialed with 30&nbsp;mm HSS 825 [[mockup]]s in 1952.<ref>{{Cite web |title=29137 J 29A |url=https://forum.flyghistoria.org/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8775 |access-date=2021-06-13}}</ref> After trestle mount trials of the 30&nbsp;mm HSS 825 in 1954 it was found that the weapon was unsafe and the idea to use it on the J 29D was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thorsson|first=Nils|title=Historik och kartläggning av vapenmateriel för flygplan|year=1975|location=Arboga, Sweden|pages=21}}</ref>

{{big|Saab 29 E}}
*
** '''J 29E''' – fighter, 29 built in 1955; introduced an improved wing design with a leading edge [[dogtooth extension]] to increase the [[critical Mach number]].<ref name="widf 8"/>
*** '''A 29E''' – attacker, same aircraft as the J 29E, when serving with attack units;<ref name="beredskapsläget 57"/> painted with olive green wingtips and fin.<ref name="kronmärkt s50"/>
**{{Tree list/final branch}} '''S 29E''' – unofficial name for late S 29C modified with the improved E-wing design.<ref name="widf 8"/>

{{big|Saab 29 F}}
[[File:J-29 F „fliegende Tonne“ Aufklärungsversion.jpg|thumb|Austrian J-29F {{lang|de|Aufklärungsversion}} (reconnaissance variant) with the two left guns replaced with a camera pack, 1979]]
*
** '''J 29F''' – fighter, 308 aircraft converted from available stocks of B and E model airframes from 1954 to 1956; featured the afterburning Ghost and dogtooth wing; all remaining aircraft were further modified in 1963 to carry a pair of US-designed [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, in Swedish service designated as the rb 24.<ref name="widf 8-9">Widfeldt 1966, pp. 8–9.</ref>
*** '''A 29F''' – attacker, same aircraft as the J 29F, when serving with attack units;<ref name="beredskapsläget 57"/> painted with olive green wingtips and fin.<ref name="kronmärkt s50"/>
** '''J-29F {{lang|de|„Tonne“}}''' ({{lang|de|Jagdversion}}, "pursuit version") – fighter, 20 unmodified J 29F used by the Austrian Air Force.<ref name="gotech"/>
**{{Tree list/final branch}} '''J-29F {{lang|de|„Tonne“}}''' ({{lang|de|Aufklärungsversion}}, "reconnaissance version") – photo reconnaissance fighter, 10 modified J 29F used by the Austrian Air Force, fitting a camera pack by Swedish [[Malmö Flygindustri]] (MFI) in place of the two left cannons, housing three 70&nbsp;mm Vinten cameras in a green housing; 12 packs bought by the Austrian Air Force (installation was reversible), with 10 aircraft constantly modified. Only used by the 2nd fighter-bomber squadron ({{lang|de|2. Staffel/JaBo-Geschwader}}).<ref name="80 år"/><ref name="gotech"/><ref name="airpower J-29F data">{{cite web |title=Saab J-29F "Tunnan" |url=http://www.airpower.at/buecher/oelk/s303-800.jpg |publisher=airpower.at |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514144347/http://www.airpower.at/buecher/oelk/s303-800.jpg |archive-date=2006-05-14}}</ref>
{{Tree list/end}}

== Operators ==
;{{AUT}}
[[File:HGM Saab 29 Tunnan.jpg|thumb|Austrian J 29F Tunnan from 1. Staffel/JaBo-Geschwader.]]
* [[Austrian Air Force]]
** [[1st Fighter Bomber Wing (Austrian Air Force)|1. Staffel/JaBo-Geschwader]] (''1. Sta/Jabogeschw''; "Jagdbombergeschwader"): A-O yellow tailcodes; 15 J-29F fighter bombers<ref name="tigerstaffel">{{cite web |title=TIGERSTAFFEL |url=https://luftstreitkraefte.at/tigerstaffel/ |website=luftstreitkraefte.at |access-date=2024-03-11}}</ref><ref name="gotech">{{cite web |title=Saab J-29F "Tunnan" "Fliegende Tonne" |url=http://www.gotech.at/saab_j29f_tunnan.htm |website=gotech.at |access-date=2024-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626082129/http://www.gotech.at/saab_j29f_tunnan.htm |archive-date=2010-06-26}}</ref><ref name="80 år">{{Cite book |title=SAAB 29 80 år |publisher=Svensk flyghistorisk förening |year=2018 |location=Stockholm, Sweden |pages=22–25 }}</ref><ref name="airpower J-29F data"/>
** [[2nd Fighter Bomber Wing (Austrian Air Force)|2. Staffel/JaBo-Geschwader]] (''2. Sta/Jabogeschw''; "Jagdbombergeschwader"): A-O red tailcodes; 5 J-29F fighter bombers, 10 J-29F reconnaissance fighers<ref name="tigerstaffel"/><ref name="gotech"/><ref name="80 år"/><ref name="airpower J-29F data"/>

;{{SWE}}
[[File:Saab J29 Tunnan, Swedish Air Force. Waddington Airshow 2013.jpg|thumb|Saab J 29, [[Swedish Air Force Historic Flight]], [[RAF Waddington]] Airshow 2013]]
* [[Swedish Air Force]]
** [[Östgöta Wing|F 3 Malmslätt]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Jämtland Wing|F 4 Frösön]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Västgöta Wing|F 6 Karlsborg]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Skaraborg Wing|F 7 Såtenäs]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Svea Air Corps|F 8 Barkarby]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Göta Wing|F 9 Säve]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Scania Wing|F 10 Ängelholm]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Södermanland Wing|F 11 Nyköping]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Kalmar Wing|F 12 Kalmar]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Bråvalla Wing|F 13 Norrköping]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Hälsinge Wing|F 15 Söderhamn]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Uppland Wing|F 16 Uppsala]]<ref name="widf 10"/>
** [[Norrbotten Wing|F 21 Luleå]]<ref name="widf 10"/>

;{{flag|United Nations}} [[United Nations Operation in the Congo|ONUC]]
[[File:United Nations peacekeeping air forces in Congo - January 1963.jpg|thumb|ONUC in Congo. Saab 29s along with Iranian and Philippine [[F-86 Sabre]]s.]]
* [[UN Air Division]]
** F 22 (UN Fighter Squadron 22)<ref name="widf 10"/>

== Surviving aircraft ==
{{expand section|date=March 2021}}
* J 29F 29624 displayed at the Aeroseum in a cavern at Gothenburg/Säve airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aeroseum.se/|title=FLYGETS UPPLEVELSECENTER – I UNDERJORDEN}}</ref>
* J 29F 29640 preserved at Midlands Air Museum, Coventry, UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php |website=Midland Air Museum|access-date= 18 December 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408215558/https://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php|archive-date=8 April 2023|title=Aircraft Listing}}</ref>
* J 29F 29665  at the [[Musée de l'Air]] located at the former [[Paris–Le Bourget Airport]] in [[France]].<ref>[http://www.museeairespace.fr/c/m/saab-j-29f-tunnan/presentation/ "Saab J 29F Tunnan."] ''Musée de l'Air''. Retrieved: 21 March 2015.</ref>
* J 29F 29566 on display at the [[Museum of Military History, Vienna|Museum of Military History]] in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]]
* S29C  29902 preserved at F11 Museum at [[Stockholm Skavsta Airport]], [[Nyköping]], [[Sweden]]<ref>[https://digitaltmuseum.org/021027100949/flygplan "Spaningsflygplan, S 29C"] "Digitalt Museum". Retrieved: 23 November 2023.</ref>
* J 29B 29657 in outdoor storage at [[Pima Air & Space Museum|Pima Air and Space Museum]], [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], [[Arizona]], US. 
* J 29F 29670 currently airworthy and flying in/around [[Sweden]].
* J 29 29543 on display at the Italian Air Force Museum in Vigna di Valle (Rome)

== Specifications (Saab J 29F Tunnan) ==
[[File:SAAB J 29 Tunnan - 3D drawing.svg|thumb|Saab J 29 Tunnan 3-view drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=The Great Book of Fighters,<ref>Green and Swanborough, 2001 {{page needed|date=March 2015}}</ref> The Saab J 29<ref name="widf 12">Widfeldt 1966, p. 12.</ref> J 29F pilots manual<ref>{{Cite book|title=SFI J 29 F, speciell förarinstruktion}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--General characteristics-->
|crew=1
|length m=10.23
|span m=11
|height m=3.75
|wing area sqm=24.15
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<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=4845
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight kg=8375
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
<!--Powerplant-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[de Havilland Ghost#Variants|Svenska Flygmotor RM2B]]
|eng1 type=centrifugal-flow turbojet engine with afterburning
|eng1 lbf=
|eng1 note=6,200 lbf (27.58 kN) wet at 10,250 rpm; 4,750 lbf (21.1 kN) dry at 10,250 rpm.
<!--Performance-->
|max speed kmh=1060
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|range km=1100
|range note=
|ceiling m=15500
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=32.1
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br/>
:* 4 x ''{{cvt|20|mm}} akan m/47C'' (license produced [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404#British production|Hispano Mark V]]) [[autocannon]] with 180 rounds per gun
|rockets=<br/>
:* ''{{cvt|75|mm|1}} srak m/55'' ([[Bofors]] {{cvt|75|mm|1}} rocket "Frida")<ref name="Sjögren"/> [[air-to-air rocket]] with [[contact fuze]] [[High-Explosive, High-Capacity|high-capacity warhead]];<ref name="FV rak 1957">{{Cite book|title=Beskrivning över Flygvapnets raketmateriel|year=1957}}</ref> 2-4 rockets per [[Hardpoint|pylon]] up to a total of 24
:* ''{{cvt|80|mm|1}} prak m/46C'' ([[RP-3]] with sloped fins of Swedish design)<ref name="Sjögren">{{Cite book|title=FV Raketbeväpning 1944-1954, Raketbeväpning i svenska flygvapnet : en sammanställning över Försökscentralens (Provningsavdelningens) medverkan vid utveckling och utprovning av raketbeväpning åren 1944-1954|last=Sjögren|first=Sven}}</ref><ref name="FV rak 1957"/> [[air-to-ground rocket]] with {{cvt|80|mm|1}} [[Armor-piercing ammunition|armour-piercing warhead]]; 1 rocket per pylon up to a total of 8
:* ''{{cvt|145|mm|1}} psrak m/49'' (Bofors {{cvt|103|mm|1}} rocket)<ref name="Sjögren"/> [[air-to-ground rocket]] with {{cvt|145|mm|1}} [[High-explosive anti-tank|shaped charge warhead]]; 1-2 rockets per pylon up to a total of 14
:* ''{{cvt|150|mm|1}} srak m/51'' (Bofors {{cvt|103|mm|1}} rocket)<ref name="Sjögren"/> [[air-to-ground rocket]] with {{cvt|150|mm|0}} [[High explosive shell|high-explosive warhead]]; 1-2 rockets per pylon up to a total of 14
:* ''{{cvt|180|mm|1}} hprak m/49'' (Bofors {{cvt|180|mm|1}} rocket)<ref name="Sjögren"/> [[air-to-ground rocket]] with [[semi armor-piercing, high-explosive]] warhead; 1 rocket per pylon up to a total of 4
|bombs=<br/>
:* ''{{cvt|200|kg|0}} brandb m/51'' [[incendiary bomb]]; carried in on the drop tank hardpoint<ref>{{Cite book|last=Berns|first=Lennart|title=Flygande Tunnan, En antologi av Lennart Berns|location=Sweden|pages=144}}</ref>
:* ''{{cvt|600|kg|0}} drop tanks'' could be armed as incendiary bombs in the air or filled with [[napalm]] from the start; carried in on the drop tank hardpoint
|missiles=<br/>
:* ''Rb 24'' ([[AIM-9B Sidewinder]]) [[air-to-air missile]]; carried on the third hardpoint from the center
|hardpoints=<br/>
:* 8 inner hardpoints for rocket/missile pylons; inner hardpoint only capable of carrying one smaller rocket due to the landing gear<ref name="Sjögren"/>
:* 2 outer hardpoints for [[drop tank]]s or incendiary bombs, however tests were conducted with carrying rockets on this hardpoint: 8 x ''75 mm Bofors'', 2-4 x ''103 mm Bofors'' or 1 x ''180 mm Bofors'' rocket could be carried per drop tank hardpoint via a dedicated pylon<ref name="Sjögren"/>
|avionics=
}}

== See also ==
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* {{lwc|Dassault Ouragan}}
* {{lwc|Dassault Mystère}}
* {{lwc|Hawker Hunter}}
* {{lwc|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15}}
* {{lwc|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-9}}
* {{lwc|Lavochkin La-15}}
* {{lwc|North American F-86 Sabre}}
* {{lwc|FMA IAe 33 Pulqui II}}
* {{lwc|Republic F-84F Thunderstreak}}
* {{lwc|Focke-Wulf Ta 183}}
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of military aircraft of Sweden]]
|see also=
}}

== References ==
=== Footnotes ===
{{notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist |50em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* Berns, Lennart and Robin Lindholm. "Saab J 29 Tunnan". ''International Air Power Review'', volume 13/2004, pp.&nbsp;152–73.
* Boyne, Walter J. ''Air Warfare: An International Encyclopedia, Volume 1.'' ABC-CLIO, 2002. {{ISBN|1-5760-7345-9}}.
* Erichs, Rolph et al. ''The Saab-Scania Story''. Stockholm: Streiffert & Co., 1988. {{ISBN |91-7886-014-8}}.
* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. ''The Great Book of Fighters''.  St. Paul, [[Minnesota|MAN]]: MBI Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN |0-7603-1194-3}}.
* {{cite journal |last1=Hellström |first1=Leif |title=To Africa in a Barrel |journal=The Aviation Historian |date=2015 |issue=13 |pages=22–34 |issn=2051-1930}}
* Lombardi, Fiona. ''The Swiss Air Power: Wherefrom?  Whereto?'' vdf Hochschulverlag AG, 2007. {{ISBN |3-7281-3099-0}}.
* {{Citation |last=Nilsson |first=Axel |url=http://www.fmv.se/en/Projects/JAS-39-Gripen/Milestones/ |title=JAS 39 Gripen − Milestones |publisher=[[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]] (FMV) |website=fmv.se |date=13 January 2012 |access-date=12 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222071158/https://www.fmv.se/en/Projects/JAS-39-Gripen/Milestones/ |archive-date=22 February 2014}}
* {{Citation |author=Saab AB |url=http://www.saabgroup.com/en/About-Saab/Saab-History/Timeline/ |title=Project:s Saab Historic Milestones |publisher=[[Saab AB]] |website=saabgroup.com |date=23 March 2014 |at=Swedish naming of aircraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324050331/http://www.saabgroup.com/en/About-Saab/Saab-History/Timeline/1940/Saab-29-Tunnan-JAS-29-in-the-Swedish-Air-Force/ |archive-date=24 March 2014}}
* {{Citation |author=SAAB |format=[[advertisement film]] |work=Suecia-Film: Helge Sahlin (director), EG Camitz (script), Carl-Eric Edlund (photography), 4=Gunnar Bucht (music) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhCSSlfNJk8&t=255s |title=The J35 "Draken" |access-date=2025-11-16 |publisher=[[Saab AB]] & Swedish Air Force's {{lang|sv|filmdetalj}} |date=1960}}
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1950/1950%20-%200854.html "Saab-29: Sweden's new jet fighter."] ''Flight International'', 4 May 1950. pp.&nbsp;556–58.
* Taylor, John W.R. "Saab J 29."  ''Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present''.  New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. {{ISBN |0-425-03633-2}}.
* ''This Happens in the Swedish Air Force'' (brochure). Stockholm: Information Department of the Air Staff, Flygstabens informationsavdelning, Swedish Air Force, 1983.
* Widfeldt, Bo. ''The Saab J 29''. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1966.
* Wilson, Stewart. ''Combat Aircraft since 1945''. Fyshwick, [[Australia|AU]]: Aerospace Publications, 2000. {{ISBN |1-875671-50-1}}.
* Winchester, Jim. "Saab J 29".  ''Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile)''. Rochester, Kent, UK: The Grange, 2006. {{ISBN |1-84013-929-3}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Saab 29 Tunnan}}
* [http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/ Military aviation: Swedish and worldwide]
* [http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/text/29tunnan.htm  Saab J 29 Tunnan]
* [http://www.luft46.com/mess/mep1101.html Me P.1101 similar German aircraft design]
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=&airlinesearch=&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=29670+foxbat&range=&sort_order=photo_id+desc&page_limit=15&thumbnails= The photo: only flying Saab J29F in Swedish colours is operated by heritage flight of the Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force)] - 2012.

{{Saab aircraft}}
{{Swedish military aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saab J 29 Tunnan}}
[[Category:Saab aircraft|29]]
[[Category:1940s Swedish fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]