War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

J21A-1

2024-01-04T18:36:36Z

U128888708: added one single con nothing much

{{About
| about = Swedish fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j21a_1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_saab_j21a_1.jpg
}}

== Description ==

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

The J21A-1 is the first production series SAAB 21, quite sluggish but a heavily durable fighter. It has a top speed of 640 km/h, courtesy of the Daimler-Benz DB-605B engine; however, the speed and manoeuvrability are not the most impressive characteristics of the aircraft: it's the weaponry it comes armed with. A total of four 13.2 mm [[Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)|Akan m/39A]] and a 20 mm [[Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/41A]] makes it a heavy firepower-reliant fighter able to eliminate any enemy aircraft with ease.

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

The J21 series is arguably the most iconic propeller-engined aircraft to ever come out of Sweden. For the time, they were underpowered, slow aircraft that were were outclassed by nearly all opponents it could have faced. Its distinctive twin-boom, rear-engined fascia is easy to recognize and its performance is nothing to scoff at either, though the climb rate is poor and the engine overheats quickly when using WEP. The [[Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)|Akan m/39A]]'s are some of the most effective non-cannon aircraft weaponry in the game, boasting superior aspects to even the famed [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning]], specifically in terms of raw stopping power and muzzle velocity. The [[Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/41A]]'s are quite powerful as well. The challenge for the pilot is to manoeuvre this aircraft into a solid shooting solution which can be difficult especially against more agile aircraft. Although suffering from a relatively low rip speed, skilled and new pilots can use this somewhat to their advantage, mainly by diving on opponents and climbing again, although this shouldn't be attempted at extreme speeds.

{| 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 ===
[[File:J21 Armour Plating.png|450px|thumb|right|Protective components found in the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]
{{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
* Engine fire system (EFS)

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

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

{{main|Akan m/41A (20 mm)|Akan m/39A (13.2 mm)}}

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

* 1 x 20 mm Akan m/41A 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)

The automatkanon m/41A is essentially a slower firing [[Hispano 404 (20 mm)|Hispano 404]] with more ammunition, with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. While one might think that the slower firing speed is a disadvantage, it is just high enough to still be effective and is very beneficial for conserving ammunition. When stock, the cannon is very inaccurate and overheats quickly, but becomes quite accurate after modifications.

The complimentary automatkanon m/39A heavy machine guns are, as mentioned previously, arguably the best non-cannon weapons in the game. Their high muzzle velocity, very high fire rate and reasonable accuracy allow them to saturate the sky with lead. The higher calibre of 13.2 mm allows for more stopping power than the typical 12.7 mm and converts them from just being a nuisance to a threat to be heeded. It is interesting to note that due to their HEF-T rounds, they technically fall under the category of "cannon", as normally exploding rounds typically start at 20 mm.

== Usage in battles ==


For pilots just beginning to learn this aircraft's flight characteristics, it is best used as a support aircraft, it is too slow to take into dives reliably and suffers from Yak-like rip speeds, without any of the benefits that the Yaks have in agility. For pilots with more experience, you can successfully push this aircraft to its limits and beyond and eliminate lesser experienced pilots in more agile aircraft or even other more experienced pilots through strong counter-manoeuvres.

Climb to about 1,000 m then use boom and zoom tactics to pick on enemies. Due to the powerful nose-mounted armaments, head-ons are quite easy.

==== Specific Enemies Worth Noting: ====

* [[P-47D-25]]/[[P-47D-28|28]] - The high-speed Thunderbolts are a menace in any game mode. They are some of the fastest things in the bracket and sport an octet of the late M2 Brownings that will set you ablaze in a few short bursts. While they are already quick at medium altitudes, they become even faster at high altitudes, easily blitzing past the poor J21. However, they have incredibly poor turn rates and climb just as badly. The go-to tactic versus a P-47 is to turn with it in order to get on its tail then shred it with your guns.
* [[M.B.157]] - The 157 is one of the worst enemies you can come across as it is basically a Thunderbolt that can turn and climb. Its ludicrous speed along with excellent climb rate and its above-average manoeuvrability make for an enemy that you cannot face in a 1-on-1. Your best bet is to try to head-on it if you can manage to do so. The one Achilles heel of the 157 is its low ammunition count, so try to get it to waste as much ammo as possible before it needs to disengage. At this point, you can either try to gun it down or attempt to regain altitude so you may catch it later.
* [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109 F series]] - The F series of Bf 109s are noteworthy adversaries whose strengths change with the model. The F-1 and F-2 will turn better than you and climb quite as well as you do. the F-4 is almost a hard counter depending on if it runs gunpods. Without gunpods, the F-4 outspeeds, outclimbs, outturns and outaccelerates the J21, outclassing it in every way. But since most F-4s carry gunpods, their decreased performance helps even the odds. Boom & Zoom the F-1 and F-2, head on the F-4 only as a last resort.

=== 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
* Engine protected from head-on attacks
* Highly effective and accurate armament layout that will tear through enemies like paper
* Can take quite a few hits and still fly reasonably well
* Very high energy retention
* Easy to land thanks to its tricycle landing gear
* Rear-mounted engine are less prone to take damage in head-ons

'''Cons:'''

* Pusher aircraft, engine mounted facing rear, can be hit by tailing aircraft
* Fuel tanks can take damage if you pull up from a dive on an enemy plane
* Required to set convergence due to wing-mounted machine guns
* Agility is quite poor, it is subpar to most aircraft
* Engine overheats during takeoff and during flight at WEP even with full modifications
* Very low rip speed - cannot push past 640 km/h (400 mph) without threatening to rip off wings
* The back of the aircraft is quite weak and most enemy fighters if they get behind will be able to destroy it causing you to spin out and crash

== History ==

The SAAB 21 is a twin-boom pusher fighter and attacker designed by the famed Swedish engineer Frid Wänström, who also worked on the SAAB 29 ''Tunnan'', 32 ''Lansen'', 35 ''Draken'' and 37 ''Viggen''. In the anticipation and wake of World War 2, Sweden was concerned over its neutrality policy coming under threat by the other European countries, specifically hostile ones such as Nazi Germany. In order to deter belligerent forces and potential aggressors, the Swedish Air Force created a major plan to modernize their fleet, which included the import of foreign models such as the Italian [[J11|CR.42]] and [[J20|Re.2000]] as a stopgap measure.

Meanwhile, Swedish corporation SAAB began studying designs for the possible development of a new, high-performance fighter aircraft. Most of the designs were based around the Bristol Taurus two-row 14 cylinder radial engine developing around 1,000~1,100 horsepower. The most promising design was a twin-boom pusher layout and made use of many new features unfamiliar to the SAAB technicians and engineers at the time, but was able to compete with the other fighter aircraft at the time while also maintaining several advantages such as a heavy amount of nose-mounted armament and superior pilot visibility, along with ease of maintenance. The design was kept dormant until 41, as Sweden was beginning to see that it would not be able to procure improved foreign models as a result of the war, they started another rearmament program to adopt advanced indigenous fighter aircraft.

Accordingly, SAAB blew the dust off of their old twin-boom design and set to work. Earlier on, it was decided to replace the Bristol Taurus with an American Pratt-&-Whitney Twin Wasp, but this was changed when the engine manufacturer ''Svenska'' was requested to provide an alternative engine, which was difficult due to the time constraints. Thus, they decided that a licensed engine would be the best course of action. The legendary German Daimler-Benz DB 605 that powered many famous designs was chosen and modified to fit Swedish needs. Three prototypes were completed and its maiden flight was completed in 1942.

The type was delivered in 1945, and a total of 300 models were produced.

=== [[wt:en/news/6530-development-saab-j21a-1-nordic-exotic-en|Devblog]] ===
In 1941, Sweden started a domestic rearmament program in order to bolster the strength of its armed forces in an effort to ensure its neutrality during the ongoing war. Among the branches intended for reinforcement was the Swedish Air Force, which up until this point had mainly been operating foreign, partially outdated aircraft.

The SAAB company had already been working on a design study for a modern fighter aircraft since the early 1940s. Their project had a rather unorthodox design - a single-engine, twin-boom aircraft in a pusher configuration. With the arrival of the 1941 rearmament program, sparking a great interest for domestic aircraft production, SAAB began working on refining their design for mass production.

After further work, three full prototypes were constructed for testing, two of which were fully functional. In July 1943, the prototype of the SAAB 21 first took to the skies for its maiden flight. Production of the SAAB 21 began some time after its maiden flight, with the first aircraft reaching their units in December 1945.

Overall, over 50 J21A-1s were produced before production of the first model stopped by December 1946. In total however, close to 300 piston-engined J21s of all variants were produced before the production run of the type ended in 1949.

Due to the J21's introduction to service coinciding with the dawn of the jet age, the type didn't remain in active service for too long. In fact, the J21 was retired in 1954 - some ten years after its initial introduction - and its only operator remains the Swedish Air Force.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_j21a_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 007.jpg|
File:J21A-1 WTWallpaper 008.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|F2XyFpa4YEE|'''The King from Above! J21A-1 - Sweden - Review!!''' - ''Jengar''|f_fK6YbMH_Y|'''THE Must-Have Swedish Plane: J21A-1''' - ''Spit_flyer''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[J21 (Family)]]

;Aircraft of comparable role and configuration

* [[S.O.8000 Narval]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6530-development-saab-j21a-1-nordic-exotic-en|[Devblog] SAAB J21A-1: Nordic Exotic]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474726-saab-j21a-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

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

B18B

2024-01-01T00:08:16Z

U128888708: ive added extra description about how good the bombs and guns are and their base restock time

{{About
| about = Swedish bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = B18 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_b18b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

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

Sweden had been using the Ju 86K (export version of the German Ju 86) or the B3C bomber as their main bomber. In 1938 a requirement was put forth to Swedish aircraft manufactures for a fast reconnaissance aircraft with a crew of three. SAAB was awarded the contract for the project and began to build the SAAB 18 alongside the smaller SAAB B17 bomber. At this point the B17 had the facilities priorities in construction, however, the B18 was modified from being just a reconnaissance aircraft to also being a medium bomber. The mid-project changes caused a significant delay in the production of the aircraft which didn't roll out for duty until mid-1944.

Initially, the B18A aircraft was deemed underpowered with the two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, but would later be replaced by license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605 liquid-cooled engines. Later the B18B variant was modified to operate as a dive bomber/ground attack variant which could be outfitted with three 120 kg bombs or 12 m/51 rockets which could utilize both the internal bomb bay and hardpoints on under the wings. A single defensive positions utilised two 13.2 mm Akan m/39 machine guns which had limited coverage the rear dorsal position of the aircraft. The pilot was in control of a single 13.2 mm m/39A machine gun.

The {{PAGENAME}} was a multi-role aircraft which filled a need for the Swedish air forces, which continued on until 1959. This bomber can operate in two roles, either as a medium-altitude bomber working on destroying vehicles and anti-aircraft artillery targets or to bomb enemy bases. Flying at a higher altitude will help to avoid a majority of the fighter aircraft which tend to stay at the lower altitudes. The {{PAGENAME}} can also be pressed into service in the lower altitudes and even on the deck. When outfitted with rockets, the {{PAGENAME}} can dive-bomb ground targets to include tanks, bunkers, anti-aircraft artillery and naval ships.

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


The aircraft performs extremely well, and can outrun anything. Its turn time is good, can out-turn most twin engine fighters. It has a really good rate of climb, and an excellent dive speed. The only issue with the flight performance is that it bleeds energy when you have the payload options strapped on.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 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
| 549 || 533 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 28.1 || 28.9 || 8.1 || 8.1 || rowspan="2" | 400
|-
! Upgraded
| 593 || 570 || 26.0 || 27.0 || 15.9 || 11.5
|-
|}

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

{| 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}} || 467 || 438 || 290 || ~9 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 370 || < 350 || < 400 || > 420
|-
|}

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

[[File:B18-T18 Armor Plates.png|450px|thumb|right|Protective components found in the '''{{PAGENAME}}'''.]]

* 10 mm steel - cockpit floor under pilot's seat
* 10 mm steel - pilot's seatback
* 10 mm steel - rear gunner protective plate
* 10 mm steel - cockpit floor under gunner's seat
* 10 mm steel - aft protective plate

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

The priority modules are the guns and bombs. Get all the bombs and guns and the first set of rockets. Save the other two for last. After the weaponry, go for all the engine modules, then wings repair and survivability mods, then go fuselage repair and lastly the other rockets.

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

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

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

* 1 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39A machine gun, nose-mounted (300 rpg) this gun works great at destroying open top and light tanks and are okay at destroying some planes

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

{{main|sb m/42 (50 kg)|mb m/40 (250 kg)|mb m/41 (500 kg)|mb m/50 (600 kg)}}
{{main|hprak m/49|psrak m/49B|srak m/51}}

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

* 18 x 50 kg sb m/42 bombs (900 kg total). these bombs do not work great for attacking bases, they are more useful to attack ground targets they have a restock time of about 60 seconds
* 3 x 250 kg mb m/40 bombs (750 kg total). these bomb work great at destroying open top and light tanks even without a direct hit and works good at destroying heavy and medium tanks it has a restock time of 60 seconds
* 2 x 500 kg mb m/41 bombs (1,000 kg total). these bombs are bigger versions of the 250 pound bombs and has the same restock time
* 2 x 600 kg mb m/50 bombs (1,200 kg total). these bombs work great at destroying large collections of ground targets but need several to destroy a base in AB
* 12 x psrak m/49B rockets. these rockets work at destroying tanks but mostly needs to be a direct hit in order to do major damage. they have a base restock time of 60 seconds
* 12 x srak m/51 rockets. just like the psrak rockets they they are okay except need to hit more rockets on a tank to actually get a kill and also has around 60 seconds to restock
* 2 x hprak m/49 rockets.

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="7%" | 1 !! width="7%" | 2 !! width="7%" | 3 !! width="7%" | 4 !! width="7%" | 5 !! width="7%" | 6
| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 50 kg sb m/42 bombs
| || 4 || || 10 || 4 ||
|-
! 250 kg mb m/40 bombs
| || || || 3 || ||
|-
! 500 kg mb m/41 bombs
| || || || 2 || ||
|-
! 600 kg mb m/50 bombs
| || || || 2 || ||
|-
! hprak m/49 rockets
| || || 2 || || ||
|-
! psrak m/49B rockets
| 4 || || 4 || || || 4
|-
! srak m/51 rockets
| 4 || || 4 || || || 4
|-
| colspan="7" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,620 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 450 kg
|-
|}

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

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

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

* 1 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39 machine gun, dorsal turret (300 rpg) both of these guns are great at destroying other planes but the base version are quite bad and its better to control the gunners yourself unless you have them upgraded in your crew
* 1 x 13.2 mm Akan m/39 machine gun, ventral turret (300 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==


The B18B is a really good aircraft in all game modes. Its frontal armament is really powerful, using HEF shells. It does have a low ammo count of 300 for all guns, including the turrets. The B18B is a good bomber hunter, as you'll be facing He 111's which have such poor defensive armaments. You can easily destroy axis bombers with this plane. The G4M1 and He-111 don't hold a candle to this bomber. You can use this plane in all roles, even fighter. The list is below for realistic battles.

'''Bomber:''' This plane can carry enough bomb to destroy 2 and a half bases on maps with three bases, and 1 base on new maps with its max bomb payload. Once you drop your payload, you can kill any remaining bombers or fighters still hanging around. Remember, if an aircraft is on your six, outspeed them and use your turrets to your advantage.

'''Ground Attacker/CAS:''' With 12 rockets and 2 x 600 kg bombs, this plane is a devastating ground attacker. It can pen 500 mm of armor with the M/49A and is really good at getting rockets on target. The bombs will one shot anything in a huge radius. It is a great aircraft for ground support. Watch out for SPAAs though, as they will find you a large and easy target.

'''Fighter/Bomber Hunter:''' The 13 mm is absolutely devastating. When you prepare to engage a bomber, go head-on, and try to bait them into getting behind you. Use your turrets from below where they have no coverage, and aim for the cockpit. For fighter engagements, you need to ask yourself three things. Am I faster than them? Am I higher than them? Can I dive at least 1.5 km? If one of them is yes, go for the engagement. If none are yes, run away, and use your good turret coverage and acceleration to fly away.

=== 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
|-
|}
It is advisable to keep the radiators at 20%, and the prop pitch on 95%, since you are traveling at high speeds.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extremely quick for a twin engine aircraft, especially at altitude. Able to cruise at ~560 km/h @ 5 km and even run away from some single-engine fighters
* Blisteringly fast maximum top speed, able to reach almost 900 km/h without ripping wings, possibly fastest twin engine prop in the game
* Above average climb rate for an aircraft of its size
* Defensive guns will melt any enemies that attack from behind
* Air spawn gives it a good opportunity for chasing down enemy bombers with its superior speed
* Versatile secondary weapons allow it to take on a variety of roles
* Very strong ground attacker, carries 12 rockets, 2 x 600 kg bombs, perfect CAS plane
* Low repair costs for Swedish standards
* Really effective airbrakes
* 13.2 mm machine guns have HEF bullets, which make them more potent than the already powerful 50 cals.

'''Cons:'''

* Gunners are vulnerable and die easily
* Higher than average chance of getting set on fire
* Single forward facing 13.2 mm inadequate for taking down larger aircraft like the BV 238
* Very nose heavy when landing, must take great care not to tip forward and crash, leave the airbrake retracted when landing
* As with most DB engine aircraft, the cooling system is vulnerable and you will find yourself overheating after only a few hits
* Low ammo count of 300 rounds per gun for each gun, including the turrets. It is advisable to reload your turrets after an engagement

== History ==

The B18B is a dive bomber variant of the Saab 18 bomber used by the Swedish air force during and after the Second World War. Initially designed to replace the older Ju 86 bombers in Swedish service, the Saab 18 series were capable of fulfilling fast reconnaissance, bomber and attack roles. The B18B was the second variant of the Saab 18 family after the B18A and served as a dive-bomber. The aircraft was later developed into the T18B, a dedicated attack aircraft, and served well into the 1950s before being retired.

The B18B was an improved version of the prior B18A dive bomber and featured numerous improvements: notably, the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines were replaced with more-powerful license-built DB 605 inline engines. Additionally, later B18Bs had one less defensive weapon as the underside turret was removed; this was a relatively small change given that the weapon had extremely limited firing angles making it quite ineffective. The B18B retained the bomb load of the B18A and was capable of carrying up to 2 x 600 kg bombs internally, along with eight 50 kg bombs or twelve rockets on wing racks.

The B18B first flew in July of 1944 and soon entered service with the Swedish air force, with a total of 119 aircraft built. The aircraft was later developed into the T18B, which was originally designed to serve as a torpedo bomber but ended up as an attack aircraft, fitted with additional frontal-firing weapons including a 57 mm cannon. In the late 1940s, the three-man crew was reduced to two, and the aircraft were fitted with ejection seats. The B18B was finally phased out in the late 1950s, replaced by the Saab 32 Lansen. A single example survives today at the Swedish Air Force Museum as the only Saab 18 still intact.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_b18b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images:
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:B18B side rear view.jpg|Side rearview B18B
File:B18B frontal view.jpg|Frontal view B18B
</gallery>

== See also ==


;Similar role

*[[Ju 88 A-4]]
*[[Pe-2-1]]
*[[Potez 633]]
*[[Martin 167-A3]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474730-saab-b18b/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden bombers}}