War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Do 217 N-1

2022-09-21T06:07:16Z

U127090216: I added stuff about guns.

{{About
| about = German twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Do 217 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=do_217n_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.29]].

The Do 217 N-1 is a classic heavy fighter with tremendous firepower, but poor flight performance. It can function as a ground attack aircraft (strafing enemy ground targets and/or using the bombs that it can carry) or be used as an interceptor (in a primarily anti-bomber role).

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 495 || 477 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 28.9 || 30.2 || 4.7 || 4.6 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 539 || 515 || 26.4 || 27.7 || 9.3 || 6.8
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 351 || 270 || ~9 || ~7
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 290 || < 360 || < 360 || > 311
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 8.5 mm Steel - Fore-cockpit plate
* 8.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
* 50 mm Bulletproof Glass
* 8.5 mm Steel - Dorsal gunner's plate
* 5 mm Steel - Belly gunner's plate
* 8.5 mm Steel - Belly gunner's upper plate
* 5 mm Steel - Engine armour plate x 2
* 5 mm Steel - Aft plate

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, chin-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)
* 4 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (1,000 rpg = 4,000 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 8 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (400 kg total)

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|MG 131 (13 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
* 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

The Do 217 N-1 is yet another "Zerstörer" heavy fighter in the German tech tree. It is functionally a [[Do 217 J-2]] with the MG FF/M cannons having been replaced with the faster firing, high velocity 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons. With that being said however, it has the exact same strengths and weaknesses as the J-2. That's to say it has an amazing armament for its battle rating, but lacks the manoeuvrability and speed to use it effectively, especially in a dogfight.

The Do 217 N-1 should be treated like an even more polarised version of the [[Bf 110 C-7]], with an even bigger commitment to Boom and Zoom tactics since it has very poor manoeuvrability. That means keeping a significant altitude superiority over your enemies is paramount to success, in order to dive on them and destroy them in a single pass before using the speed to climb back up to altitude where any potential enemies hopefully won't be able to follow you. Keep in mind however that the Do 217 N-1's battle rating means you may be pitted against faster fighters (like the [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]] or the [[P-39Q-5|P-39Q]]) that can catch up to you if they dive on you during a zoom climb, if they have an altitude advantage.

Against a Do 217 N-1, never go head-on with this plane because the heavy firepower of 4 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons and 4 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns will shred any plane head on and it is very hard to pilot snipe this plane frontally as there is a lot of bulletproof glass and armour protecting the pilot. If you encounter a Do 217 N-1 attack it from above, behind or below the aircraft.

=== Radar ===
{{main|FuG 202}}
The Do 217 N-1 is equipped with a [[FuG 202]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft; a control box which is part of the radar damage model is located behind the pilot.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | [[FuG 202]] - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Detection Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed Detection Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 4,000 m || 4,000 m || ±30° || ±30°
|-
|}

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Combined || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very deadly nose-mounted armament (4 x 20 mm cannons and 4 x 7.92 mm MGs) with fast fire rate, great one-second burst mass, destructive damage, flexible belt types and plenty of ammo (200 RPG for the cannons, 1,000 RPG for the MGs). This makes it excellent at head-on attacks against any aircraft, especially bombers and attackers
* Rigid construction that can take a lot of punishment from MG fire. It also barely catches fire
* Decent defensive armament consisting of 2 x 13 mm MG 131 turrets, with reasonable coverage and adequate damage
* Has access to a target detection radar which most planes don't have. Rather useful in clouds or with bad weather or low visibility
* Decent dive acceleration allowing it to easily dive at more than 500 km/h, outrunning slower opponents like the I-16 and F4F
* Improved ballistic performance of the 20 mm MG 151 over the FF/M allows for firing both the machine guns and cannons at the same time and hit the target accurately
* The 20 mm AP shells, its huge ammo capacity and the 8 x 50 kg bombs give it ground pounding ability to some extent
* Its appearance and name are very identical to its bomber variants. The player can sometimes utilise this and lure the unprepared enemy into a surprising head-on

'''Cons:'''

* Extremely poor manoeuvrability. Turn time is more than 27 second even when upgraded, meaning it might get out-turned by attackers like the IL-2, A-20G or even bombers like the B-25
* Control surfaces tend to lock up at more than 500 km/h. Due to this, when diving it might not be able to pull up in time, or cannot pull the lead properly
* Poor climb rate and energy retention makes it hard to intercept high-flying bombers
* Poor roll rate makes it hard to respond to offensive / defensive manoeuvres (e.g. scissors). The I-16 now becomes a deadly opponent due to its superior roll rate
* Its poor flight performance makes it thoroughly difficult to effectively combat other fighters
* Is a big target which is easy to get hit
* The 20mm nose mounted cannons and 13mm turrets are quite inaccurate without crew upgrades.

== History ==

The Dornier Do 217 is a multi-role aircraft (bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, night fighter) built for the Luftwaffe during World War 2. It is very similar to many previous Dornier built bombers, such as the Dornier Do 17, in its 'Flying Pencil' shape and fuselage. Overall 1,925 Dornier Do 217s were made as well as many variants. The Do 217 J and Do 217 N variants were mainly used as night fighters to deal with the RAF's nightly bombing raids. The rest of the variants would be used as bombers or reconnaissance aircraft depending on which mission they would be on.

=== In-game description ===
Dornier Do 217 N-1 night twin-engine fighter.

At the same time the Do 217M bomber was created, Dornier Flugzeugwerke also developed the Do 217N night fighter to enable the installation of DB 603A engines. The first prototype got off the ground in July 1942.

Production Do 217 N-1 night fighters were armed with 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannons (belt-fed, with 200 rounds each), which had a high rate of fire and better ballistic characteristics, instead of 20 mm Oerlikon MG FF/M cannons.

Four additional 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannons could be installed, inclined in a so-called Schräge Musik mount in the upper section of the aircraft. "Schräge Musik" literally means "oblique (or weird) music", which was a colloquial name for "abnormal" jazz in Germany of that period. The Schräge Musik mount was implemented via the removable R22 factory kit and included fuselage-mounted cannons that fired upward and forward at a 70-degree angle. Oberleutnant Rudolf Schoenert, an ace of night fighter aviation, had developed the idea.

The Schräge Musik mount allowed a night fighter to attack a bomber from below, that is at their belly, which was the least-protected area of the plane. Although the Schräge Musik mount increased the aircraft's takeoff weight, its combat effectiveness justified this disadvantage.

Since the plane's defensive armament was recognized as unnecessary for the night fighter, some planes had their upper turret removed and their lower gun position terminated. The projection for the lower turret was then removed with the help of a long wooden fairing. These modifications reduced the night fighter's weight and improved its aerodynamics. The planes that were modified in this way were designated Do 217 N-1/U1.

The standard package of the Do 217 N-1 included a FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C airborne radar. In addition, the plane had a FuG 25 or FuG 25a identification friend or foe transponder housed in the rear section of the left nacelle.

The rear bomb bay was retained on Do 217 N-1 night fighters, to leave the option open for them to be used as "night hunters".

The total production volume for Do 217 N-1 night fighters was small, amounting to only 95 aircraft.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=do_217n_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|MNacjyimuCQ|'''The Shooting Range #95''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 12:02 discusses the Do 217 N-1.}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/436317-do217n-12/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=543 [Military Factory<nowiki>]</nowiki> Dornier Do 217]

{{AirManufacturer Dornier}}
{{Germany twin-engine fighters}}

J21A-2

2022-09-14T21:43:46Z

U127090216: Added a con to this page

{{About
| about = Swedish fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j21a_2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_saab_j21a_2.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,300 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 616 || 599 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 21.9 || 12.6 || 12.6 || rowspan="2" | 300
|-
! Upgraded
| 666 || 640 || 19.0 || 20.0 || 19.0 || 15.5
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 445 || 425 || 325 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 390 || < 420 || > 715
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

* 10 mm steel - Firewall armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Firewall cover armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Pilot's back armour plate
* 60 mm bulletproof glass

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===

{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Akan m/45 (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/45 cannon, nose-mounted (140 rpg)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, wing-mounted (325 rpg = 650 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The J21A-2 (along with the rest of the J21A variants) is an excellent energy fighter. The plane retains and gains speed very well, as long as it is flying in a straight line. In level flight or in a dive, the J21A is very fast and can outrun most of its opponents. Additionally, it can manoeuvre quite well compared to some of its opponents but pilots must watch to ensure their speed does not drop too low as this makes the J21A an easy target. The nose-mounted armament makes it possible to successfully fight head-on with opponents and the 20 mm cannon is especially devastating when combined with the 13.2 mm machine guns. This armament also makes the J21A good as a bomber-interceptor since it can knock out critical components of an opponent's aircraft very quickly.

Overall, the J21A was designed (and should be used) as an interceptor. One excellent tactic is to climb at about 20 degrees until reaching 4,000-5,000 m and operating from that altitude in a boom-and-zoom role. This enables the J21A to use its excellent dive speed and heavy armament to maximum effect.

Another effective tactic is to fly level and fast at medium altitude 2,000-3,000 m and act as a support fighter, assisting team mates who are overwhelmed by picking off some of their opponents in hit-and-run attacks. While the J21 can manoeuvre quite well (especially with combat flaps) it is not advisable to do this except as a last resort because the aircraft bleeds speed very rapidly. Also, this can expose the J21's engine (mounted in the rear of the aircraft) to and an enemy, allowing him the opportunity to knock out the J21's engine or hit its fuel tank (centrally located between the cockpit and the engine). This is another reason to avoid running away from an opponent, except when you can dive faster than the enemy or outclimb him. Many planes at the J21's level can keep up with it, although many also cannot. As long as you know your opponent and their capabilities, you can use the J21 very effectively.

Although the J21 can be set on fire rather easily due to its centrally located fuel tank, it is often possible to put out the fire by diving very steeply and fast. This creates enough of a slipstream around the fuselage to often put out the fire.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very stable, does not stall in level flight even with the throttle set to zero
* Retains controllability at all speeds, even when stalling
* Engine protected from head-on attacks
* Most armament is nose-mounted
* Heavy armament with excellent ammunition belts

'''Cons:'''

* Pusher aircraft, engine mounted facing rear, exposed to enemy aircraft which may follow
* Required to set convergence due to wing-mounted machine guns
* Loses speed rapidly in sharp turns
* Long weapon reload time (in AB)
* Has one of the most expensive aircraft to repair in AB at ~19 K Silver Lions
* Water cooling system overheats fast on WEP
* Higher repair cost for not much gain on it's predecessor

== History ==

The J21A-2 was a variant of the Saab 21, a twin-boom propeller fighter used by the Swedish air force. A unique design, it had a pusher-configuration engine and a twin-boom tail, giving it a very unique appearance. The J21A-2 was the second production variant of the J21 fighter, featuring a Swedish-built 20 mm cannon along with numerous other refinements. A total of 124 J-21A-2 aircraft were built in two batches; these aircraft served as the mainline Swedish fighter until the introduction of more capable jet-engined fighters.

In the early 1940s, it was apparent that Sweden badly needed a new fighter aircraft. Thus, Sweden ordered SAAB to design a new aircraft based on the German Daimler-Benz DB 601, 603 or 605 engine. At that time, the German and Swedish had a series of neutrality agreements, allowing Sweden to import the German-made aircraft engines. One radical configuration considered was a twin-boom aircraft, similar to the P-38 Lightning, but with a single rear-mounted engine in pusher configuration. However, SAAB was initially asked to instead produce the J23, a more conventional aircraft design.

In late 1941, the Swedish air ministry reverted to its previous decision and asked the SAAB firm to produce the J21 design. Thus, design work progressed through 1942 and 1943. The final prototype featured a twin-boom wing with a single DB-605B engine, and carried a main armament of one 20 mm cannon along with four 13.2 mm heavy machine guns. The first prototype flew in mid-1943, but was quickly revealed to have inferior performance to the Fw 190, Spitfire and P-51 Mustang. However, 484 aircraft were ordered anyway.

The first of these aircraft, named J21A-1, entered service in 1945 with a total of 54 aircraft built. The J21A-2 was a later version that entered service in 1946-1947, with 66 aircraft built in two batches for a total of 124 aircraft. The J21A-2 featured numerous minor improvements compared to the J21A-1, including the installation of a Swedish 20 mm cannon and better avionics.

The J21A-2 entered service in 1947, but had an extremely short service life. The aircraft's poor performance and relative obsolescence meant that it served for an extremely short time. The 124 aircraft built were quickly replaced by the more modern J29 Tunnan and British de Havilland Vampire, leading to the aircraft’s retirement by 1954. However, it is worth noting that SAAB also experimented with coupling a jet engine to the J21 airframe; this resulted in the A21RB, a unique aircraft coupling the J21's fuselage with a de Havilland Ghost engine. No J21A-2 airframes still exist but three J21A-3 aircraft still exist in museums today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_j21a_2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474726-saab-j21a-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden fighters}}

J21A-2

2022-09-14T21:37:57Z

U127090216: I added a small amount of information to the pros about the guns.

{{About
| about = Swedish fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j21a_2
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_saab_j21a_2.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,300 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 616 || 599 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.0 || 21.9 || 12.6 || 12.6 || rowspan="2" | 300
|-
! Upgraded
| 666 || 640 || 19.0 || 20.0 || 19.0 || 15.5
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 445 || 425 || 325 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 390 || < 420 || > 715
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

* 10 mm steel - Firewall armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Firewall cover armour plate
* 10 mm steel - Pilot's back armour plate
* 60 mm bulletproof glass

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===

{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Akan m/45 (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/45 cannon, nose-mounted (140 rpg)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
* 2 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine guns, wing-mounted (325 rpg = 650 total)

== Usage in battles ==


The J21A-2 (along with the rest of the J21A variants) is an excellent energy fighter. The plane retains and gains speed very well, as long as it is flying in a straight line. In level flight or in a dive, the J21A is very fast and can outrun most of its opponents. Additionally, it can manoeuvre quite well compared to some of its opponents but pilots must watch to ensure their speed does not drop too low as this makes the J21A an easy target. The nose-mounted armament makes it possible to successfully fight head-on with opponents and the 20 mm cannon is especially devastating when combined with the 13.2 mm machine guns. This armament also makes the J21A good as a bomber-interceptor since it can knock out critical components of an opponent's aircraft very quickly.

Overall, the J21A was designed (and should be used) as an interceptor. One excellent tactic is to climb at about 20 degrees until reaching 4,000-5,000 m and operating from that altitude in a boom-and-zoom role. This enables the J21A to use its excellent dive speed and heavy armament to maximum effect.

Another effective tactic is to fly level and fast at medium altitude 2,000-3,000 m and act as a support fighter, assisting team mates who are overwhelmed by picking off some of their opponents in hit-and-run attacks. While the J21 can manoeuvre quite well (especially with combat flaps) it is not advisable to do this except as a last resort because the aircraft bleeds speed very rapidly. Also, this can expose the J21's engine (mounted in the rear of the aircraft) to and an enemy, allowing him the opportunity to knock out the J21's engine or hit its fuel tank (centrally located between the cockpit and the engine). This is another reason to avoid running away from an opponent, except when you can dive faster than the enemy or outclimb him. Many planes at the J21's level can keep up with it, although many also cannot. As long as you know your opponent and their capabilities, you can use the J21 very effectively.

Although the J21 can be set on fire rather easily due to its centrally located fuel tank, it is often possible to put out the fire by diving very steeply and fast. This creates enough of a slipstream around the fuselage to often put out the fire.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very stable, does not stall in level flight even with the throttle set to zero
* Retains controllability at all speeds, even when stalling
* Engine protected from head-on attacks
* Most armament is nose-mounted
* Heavy armament with excellent ammunition belts and generally reliable guns.

'''Cons:'''

* Pusher aircraft, engine mounted facing rear, exposed to enemy aircraft which may follow
* Required to set convergence due to wing-mounted machine guns
* Loses speed rapidly in sharp turns
* Long weapon reload time (in AB)
* Has one of the most expensive aircraft to repair in AB at ~19 K Silver Lions
* Water cooling system overheats fast on WEP

== History ==

The J21A-2 was a variant of the Saab 21, a twin-boom propeller fighter used by the Swedish air force. A unique design, it had a pusher-configuration engine and a twin-boom tail, giving it a very unique appearance. The J21A-2 was the second production variant of the J21 fighter, featuring a Swedish-built 20 mm cannon along with numerous other refinements. A total of 124 J-21A-2 aircraft were built in two batches; these aircraft served as the mainline Swedish fighter until the introduction of more capable jet-engined fighters.

In the early 1940s, it was apparent that Sweden badly needed a new fighter aircraft. Thus, Sweden ordered SAAB to design a new aircraft based on the German Daimler-Benz DB 601, 603 or 605 engine. At that time, the German and Swedish had a series of neutrality agreements, allowing Sweden to import the German-made aircraft engines. One radical configuration considered was a twin-boom aircraft, similar to the P-38 Lightning, but with a single rear-mounted engine in pusher configuration. However, SAAB was initially asked to instead produce the J23, a more conventional aircraft design.

In late 1941, the Swedish air ministry reverted to its previous decision and asked the SAAB firm to produce the J21 design. Thus, design work progressed through 1942 and 1943. The final prototype featured a twin-boom wing with a single DB-605B engine, and carried a main armament of one 20 mm cannon along with four 13.2 mm heavy machine guns. The first prototype flew in mid-1943, but was quickly revealed to have inferior performance to the Fw 190, Spitfire and P-51 Mustang. However, 484 aircraft were ordered anyway.

The first of these aircraft, named J21A-1, entered service in 1945 with a total of 54 aircraft built. The J21A-2 was a later version that entered service in 1946-1947, with 66 aircraft built in two batches for a total of 124 aircraft. The J21A-2 featured numerous minor improvements compared to the J21A-1, including the installation of a Swedish 20 mm cannon and better avionics.

The J21A-2 entered service in 1947, but had an extremely short service life. The aircraft's poor performance and relative obsolescence meant that it served for an extremely short time. The 124 aircraft built were quickly replaced by the more modern J29 Tunnan and British de Havilland Vampire, leading to the aircraft’s retirement by 1954. However, it is worth noting that SAAB also experimented with coupling a jet engine to the J21 airframe; this resulted in the A21RB, a unique aircraft coupling the J21's fuselage with a de Havilland Ghost engine. No J21A-2 airframes still exist but three J21A-3 aircraft still exist in museums today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_j21a_2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474726-saab-j21a-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden fighters}}