War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

J7W1

2021-04-26T14:06:01Z

U90959649: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=j7w1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]].

The J7W1 Shinden is a bomber interceptor designed to make quick work of raiding bomber aircraft. It has exceptional performance at altitude, more than exceptional armament and a decent climb rate. Double the weight of a fully loaded A6M, and definitely heaps faster to make up for it. This aircraft thrives with boom and zoom, and has a great energy retention at speed due to sleek aerodynamics. Inherently less stable than a normal tail plane thanks to a rear mounted engine push thrust configuration canard design, it is known for rapid pitch angle changes, great roll rate and less drag, by design. The flap system does not work in game currently however it enhances negative G two fold, at the cost of your speed. The aircraft is very prone to fires however, a single hit to the fuel tanks will result in an inextinguishable flame that will for sure be your demise.

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

The J7W1 Shinden has a maximum speed of 892 km/h (558 mph/485 kt) IAS (this is Vne speed - the absolute maximum speed). In a dive from service ceiling, a speed of mach 0.9 has been recorded and is sustained until IAS speed limit is reached. The aircraft can handle a max load of 11G and compresses rudder, pitch and roll at extremely high IAS speed in order of descending effect.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 8,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
!Stock
| 723 || 703 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 31.5 || 32.2 || 15.3 || 15.3 || rowspan="2" | 650
|-
!Upgraded
| 779 || 750 || 28.6 || 30.0 || 23.0 || 18.6
|-
|}

==== 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}} || 498 || 469 || 320 || ~8 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 563 || < 560 || < 560 || > 314
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,400 m || 1,660 hp || 1,942 hp
|-
|}
[[File:J7W1 vario over altitude.png|thumb|]]
[[File:J7w1 power - altitude envelope.png|thumb]]

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


* 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
* 16 mm Steel plate in the nose, in front of ammo boxes and pilot

The J7W1 is protected by armour glass (70 mm) in front of pilot and steel armour plate (16 mm) in front of pilot in between guns. It is very prone to fires, and which are difficult to extinguish. Engine snipes are common, due to the position of the engine. Wing tip damage can increase the likelyhood of unrecoverable flat spins.

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

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

{{main|Type 5 navy (30 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 30 mm Type 5 navy cannons, nose-mounted (60 rpg = 240 total)

;Muzzle velocities

* Shells: HEF-T, PT, P: 910 m/s
* Shells: HEF-I, HEF: 720 m/s
* Tracer: 910 m/s
* All other belts: Mixed shell velocities, see above.

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

{{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)
* 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (240 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Shinden is a quick, pusher prop aircraft that excels in keeping its energy up after diving from a high altitude. It is able to climb up to a nice altitude above its opponents and strafe enemies either with a "boom and zoom" or "hit and run" strategy. The Shinden sports four excellent 30mm guns mounted in the nose making it infamous for its head on capabilities as they are easy to get on target but require a bit of aim control as the guns are low velocity, as long as you keep your speed high you will become a big threat to the enemy team. The Shinden is able to outrun a myriad of aircraft at its BR with some exceptions being the [[F8F-1B]] and the [[Spitfire F Mk XIVe|Spitfire F MK XIVe]] as they have more powerful engines. Enemy bombers such as the [[B-17G-60-VE]] are optimal targets as your main weapons are able to quickly rip through the bombers armor, heavy fighters such as the [[F7F-1]] or the [[Hornet Mk.III]] are targets you may often see at your altitude and make for great prey as they are large and aren't as agile as single engine fighters. As a Shinden pilot it is unwise to let the enemy get onto your six o'clock as you aren't likely to shake them due to the poor maneuverability and that the Shindens engine is mounted in the rear of the plane, meaning any enemy behind you can quickly take you out of the fight just with a few hits to the engine. Like a majority of the Japanese planes the Shinden lacks any armor to reliable stop bullets from damaging it, however there is a piece of bulletproof glass in the front of the planes cockpit that is 70 millmeters thick as well as a 16 millimeter steel plate in the nose, making head ons a reliable way to kill enemy aircraft as you do not have to worry about enemy bullets hitting your engine. It is highly recommended to avoid participating in dogfights in the Shinden as almost any single prop fighter at its BR will be able to out turn it so its ideal to stick to energy fighting. The Shinden also has access to 60 kg bombs that can destroy lightly armoured targets in mixed battles.

=== 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
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Combined || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Pilot has some protection in the back from the engine.
* Competitive high speed turn rate
* Good roll rate
* Amazing pitch response
* 4 x 30 mm cannons make for some great offensive firepower.
* Great high speed and handling and dive.
* Since the engine and propeller are located in the rear, it is not likely to take damage or catch fire from shots landing at its front.

'''Cons:'''

* Slow sustained turn rate.
* High speed rudder suffers some compression
* Pilot more exposed at the front.
* Since the engine is located in the rear, it is especially vulnerable to enemies behind it.
* Shots to the front may damage its "tail" flaps.
* Armament may detonate
* Fuel tanks are easily flammable and do not self seal fully.

== History ==

The J7W1 ''Shinden'' (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") was an Imperial Japanese fighter of WWII that was built near the end of the war in an attempted response to the American B-29 Superfortress bombers. The aircraft used a canard wing formation, (canard wing formation refers to how the main wings are mounted at the rear of the fuselage and smaller wings are placed at the front. Similar to the Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender.) Like the Ascender, the J7W1 was never put into mass-production and was abandoned while still in the prototype stage.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1 Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)." ''National Air and Space Museum'', 18 Apr. 2019, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kyushu-j7w1-shinden-magnificent-lightning.</ref>

Developed with the intention of intercepting heavy bombers, it was given 4 nose-mounted 30 mm cannons.

Development of the aircraft began in 1944, but shortages of manufacturing supplies continued to delay its development and testing and the first prototype wasn't completed until April 1945. The Navy placed high hopes in the new model and it was originally hoped that the Kyushu's Zasshonokuma factory and Nakajima's Handa plant would be able to produce over a thousand of the aircraft by 1947.

The prototype first flew on 3 August 1945 from Itazuke Air Base. The plane flew a total of three times, each time as a test flight before it was grounded permanently due to the Japanese surrender and end of the war.

Various parts of the Shinden survived the end of the war and its fuselage can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1/2 'Shinden.'" ''Kyushu J7W1/2 - Shinden'', tanks45.tripod.com/Jets45/Histories/Shinden/Shinden.htm.</ref>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=japan&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=j7w1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

{{Skin-gallery
|market|J7W1 "The Shark"|J7W1 'The Shark'.jpg|Camo "J7W1 'The Shark'"
|market|ugcitem_1000623|J7W1 '418'.png|Camo "J7W1 '418' in training livery"
}}

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|INb9VjLxKf0|'''Most unusual aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:25 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|6Cyq6xsiD70|'''(Arcade): {{PAGENAME}} Shinden - Magnificent Lightning''' - ''tx141TX''|yYMCtg6qa40|'''War Thunder Sub's Choice Ep 39: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''Jengar''|fphmndESyNU|'''The Shooting Range #60''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:06 discusses the J7W1.}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[XP-55]]
* [[J21 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4548-profile-j7w1-shinden-the-magnificent-lightning-en|[Profile] J7W1 Shinden - The magnificent lightning]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/202472-kyushu-j7w1/ [Forum<nowiki>]</nowiki> Aircraft Datasheet]
* [[wikipedia:Kyushu_J7W|[Wikipedia] Kyushu J7W]]

===References===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Kyushu}}
{{Japan fighters}}

A29B

2021-04-15T15:27:11Z

U90959649: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Swedish jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J29 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j29b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_J_A29B.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet 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 0 m - sea level)
! 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
| 996 || 966 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.2 || 29.3 || 19.8 || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,027 || 1,015 || 28.8 || 29.0 || 31.1 || 25.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 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}} || 800 || 575 || 350 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 640 || < 450 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Svenska Flygmotor RM2 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,057 kg || colspan="3" | 288 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,150 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,548 kg || 6,040 kg || 6,531 kg || 6,777 kg || 7,080 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,150 kgf || N/A
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.33 || 0.32 || 0.30
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,150 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.33 || 0.32 || 0.30
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

; Armour

* 64 mm bulletproof canopy windscreen
* 10 mm steel plate behind pilot's seat
* 10 mm steel plate in the nose, in front of pilot

The stout little J/A29B is a sneaky little fighter which might be underestimated during a head-on. A 64 mm bulletproof windscreen is in place, which, since it is sloped, provides 165 mm total protection, allowing the pilot to have a greater chance of survival in a head-on. However, unless highly experienced, pilots should avoid head-ons, especially against aircraft such as the [[Super Mystere B2]] and the [[G.91 YS]] which also feature 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons. Make sure to avoid the B2 as well, as the AA.20 air-to-air guided rockets will make the J/A29B have a hard time standing up to this aircraft.

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

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

{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
{{main|Akan m/47C (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm akan m/47C cannons, chin-mounted (180 rpg = 720 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
{{main|srak m/55 Frida|psrak m/49A|srak m/51|hprak m/49}}

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

* Without load
* 24 x 7,5 cm srak m/55 Frida rockets
* 14 x 14,5 cm psrak m/49A rockets
* 14 x 15 cm srak m/51 rockets
* 4 x 18 cm hprak m/49 rockets

== Usage in battles ==
The J/A29B, also known as the "flying barrel", is armed with 4 x 20 mm Akan m/47C cannons that perform well, but still lack a bit of a punch for a fighter. The J/A29B has a good top speed but acceleration is not the quickest. Once it has built up speed it can catch most enemy jets that it will face, but something that will help it greatly in doing so is having an altitude advantage to dive on the target to get that extra acceleration to hunt down targets.

Turning with the J/A29B is a bad idea since the plane loves to bleed speed when turning, even though the J/A29B is good at turning, it can only do so for a small amount of time, before losing enough speed to be easy target for incoming enemies. The J/A29B's strengths are the Hit & Run tactic also known as Boom n Zoom. Should the J/A29B be uptiered against 8.7, it will struggle to keep up with the enemy jets but that will make the J/A29B into an excellent support fighter: when allied jets are engaged in combat with the enemy and make that enemy bleed its speed, the J29A can swoop in and help the teammate.

When taking off in RB and Sim modes you must be careful, J/A29B struggles to get off the runway, spooling, pressuring your front landing gear right before you engage flaps, and using flaps are all essential to a safe takeoff in this plane.

=== ''Pros and cons'' ===


'''Pros:'''

*High speed in a straight line.
*Powerful cannons with decent ammunition pool and access to very good AA belts.
*Good ordinance selection for ground attack.
*Effective airbrake and flaps.
*Great turning ability at speed.
*Good roll rate.
*High quantity of rockets which launch individually.

'''Cons:'''

*Slow acceleration.
*Slow climb rate.
*Relatively large target in Ground Battles for SPAA.
*Struggles to get off the runway with some loads.
*Extremely sluggish turning capability at low speed. Will dump speed when turning also.

== History ==

=== Initial development ===
During WWII, Sweden had effectively fallen behind in the development of military aircraft. This was largely due to a severely underdeveloped aircraft engine industry in Sweden which meant that there were no high-end engines available for aircraft production. Thus Sweden was still projecting propeller-driven fighter aircraft in 1945 equivalent to fighters projected by other nations 1-3 years prior. Since it was obvious by 1945 that jet aircraft was the future the Swedish Air Force decided to immediately scrap all propeller-driven fighter projects and instead make the jump to a jet fighter. Sweden's leading aeronautical firm SAAB, who was already actively working with the Swedish Air Force on the previously mentioned propeller fighters, was tasked with projecting this new jet fighter. Several designs were looked at but by mid-1945 it was decided that a mid-high wing aircraft with a central air intake would be the best option. Due to the mid-high wing it was not possible to house the landing gear in the wings. Instead, it was decided to house the landing gear in the fuselage of the aircraft. This concept got the project name R1001, R standing for "reaktionsmotor" (reaction engine), the Swedish military term for jet engines.

The original specifications for the R1001 called for a radar rangefinder, four Bofors 20 mm akan m/45 cannons mounted in the nose with 180 rounds per gun, external fuel tanks and a top speed of 1,000 km/h. The engine was originally supposed to be an indigenous design by the company STAL but by late 1945 Sweden had gotten the green light for acquiring the British "in development" de Havilland Ghost engine. There are several reasons why Sweden was allowed to buy this new powerful engine even before it was finished, but the two main factors were the economic state of Britain after the war and Sweden's good relations with the company de Havilland. The engine was however not the only thing which changed at an early stage. Originally the R1001 featured straight wings, as was common at the time. However, by pure luck Sweden was able to acquire some German WWII research papers from a Swiss source regarding swept wings on aircraft and their increased performance at high speeds. Thus it was decided to change the R1001 design to feature swept wings. The first blueprints of the R1001 featuring swept wings were finished by late 1945 and within 3 years a prototype had been constructed and was ready for flight testing. During these 3 years the design would change even further from the original concept. The radar rangefinder was dropped for unknown reasons, and the Bofors cannons were switched for Hispano designs due to delays at Bofors. By 1947 the aircraft had also received the designation J29.

=== Testing and production ===
The J29 prototype flew for the first time on the 1st of September 1948 and immediately showed incredible performance. The pilot chosen for this flight was SAAB's test pilot at the time, an Englishmen by the name Robert A. "Bob" Moore. He was a British squadron leader with previous experience flying jets and was thus suitable for the tests. The test flight lasted for half an hour and after a successful landing, Moore stated that "on the ground, it's an ugly duckling, but in the air it's a swift." Like many aircraft which pick up a nickname due to a specific feature or shape, the J29 would fairly quickly receive the nickname "Flygande Tunnan" (The Flying Barrel) or just "Tunnan" (The Barrel) for short. Initially thought of as degrading, the nickname Tunnan would not only become the official name for the aircraft but would also start the SAAB tradition of naming their combat aircraft, a tradition which persists to this day.

After correcting a few production errors the prototype would not only achieve the specified top speed of 1,000 km/h but it would even surpass it, achieving a sustainable speed of 1,060 km/h at one point. The design of the J29 showed a lot of promise for the future and talk of future variants would begin even before production had started. In fact, just a month after the prototype had taken to the air, there was talk of implementing attack-rockets and deflatable internal fuel tanks.

Production of the first J29 variant, the J29A, would commence in 1950 and deliveries to the air force would start in early 1951. It was quickly realized that the internal fuel capacity of the J29A was too limited and work began on implementing the previously discussed internal deflatable fuel tanks. This would be realized in a new version of the J29, designated [[J/A29B|J29B]], which entered production and service in 1953. The J29B's new internal fuel tanks gave it a 50% increase in fuel capacity compared to the J29A. The J29B would be followed by an unarmed reconnaissance version called the S29C which had been planned at an early stage. The S29C was to be followed by the [[J29D]], featuring increased armament and an afterburner, but due to a variety of reasons the J29D never entered production. Instead, a modified version of the J29B, called the J29E, would enter service. The E-variant featured a new dog toothed wing which increased maneuverability at high speeds. The J29E was soon followed by the [[J29F]] which was an upgrade-program for 210 J29B and E aircraft, increasing their performance and allowing them to serve throughout the 1960s.

All in all, 661 J29s would be produced for the Swedish Air Force, the largest production run by SAAB ever. The last of these would serve until the late 1970s.

=== Legacy ===
The J29 was a truly historical wonder for its time. After being stranded for the duration of the war, Sweden managed to not only catch up with modern aircraft development in a short amount of time but it was also able to lead jet fighter development in Europe for the time and arguably even into modern times. The J29 was the first swept-wing jet fighter to be mass-produced in Europe and together with the Soviet [[MiG-15]] and American [[F-86A-5|F-86]] it set the bar for how the next generation of fighter aircraft should be. It was extremely fast for its time and actually managed to take home two closed-circuit world speed records during the mid 1950s.

Besides its international legacy, the J29 was the first Swedish-designed aircraft to see combat. In September 1961, as part of the Congo-crisis, five J29Bs were stationed in the Republic of Congo to contribute to a UN peacekeeping mission (ONUC) in the region. This led to the formation of the air wing F 22 which exclusively served in Congo. F 22 was later reinforced by four more J29Bs and two S29C reconnaissance planes in 1962. F 22 would quickly take air superiority in the area which in turn lead to them primarily performing attack-missions during the conflict. No aircraft were lost during the ONUC despite large amounts of ground fire. When the ONUC was terminated in 1964, the aircraft-type had been decommissioned in Sweden and thus it was decided to only send home a select few J29s to Sweden. The majority of the F 22 J29s were blown up on the spot in Congo when the Swedish left the area.

=== J/A29B ===
Between 1953 and 1955, SAAB would produce and deliver 361 J29Bs to the Swedish air force. These would come to serve in the Swedish air force up until the early 1960s.

As mentioned previously the J29B was fitted with new internal deflatable fuel tanks and these were located in the inner wings. This gave the J29Bs ~50% more fuel than its older brother the J29A. The J29B could also equip two under wing drop tanks weighing up to 600 kg each, which increased the range even further. Interestingly the drop tanks could also be armed as incendiary bombs via a switch box in the cockpit. Beyond drop tanks the aircraft were also capable of carrying a wide variety of rockets for different missions.

Due to delays with the [[A32A]]-development, the J29B would initially serve as an attack aircraft, being designated as the A29B. While rockets were available for the [[J29A]] it was decided to use the J29B as an attack aircraft due to it being a new aircraft type which could be sent directly to the attack wings. There they would stay until 1957 when the A32A finally entered service. Afterwards, they served as regular fighters under the designation J29B.

In Sweden, the J29B would be used until 1963 when the type was ultimately decommissioned due to being obsolete. However a large sum of J29Bs had by this time been upgraded to J29F standards, and these would serve until 1978.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}

A29B

2021-04-15T15:26:34Z

U90959649: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Swedish jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = J29 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_j29b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_J_A29B.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet 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 0 m - sea level)
! 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
| 996 || 966 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.2 || 29.3 || 19.8 || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,027 || 1,015 || 28.8 || 29.0 || 31.1 || 25.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 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}} || 800 || 575 || 350 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 640 || < 450 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Svenska Flygmotor RM2 || 1
| colspan="2" | 5,057 kg || colspan="3" | 288 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,150 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,548 kg || 6,040 kg || 6,531 kg || 6,777 kg || 7,080 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,150 kgf || N/A
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.33 || 0.32 || 0.30
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,150 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.39 || 0.36 || 0.33 || 0.32 || 0.30
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

; Armour

* 64 mm bulletproof canopy windscreen
* 10 mm steel plate behind pilot's seat
* 10 mm steel plate in the nose, in front of pilot

The stout little J/A29B is a sneaky little fighter which might be underestimated during a head-on. A 64 mm bulletproof windscreen is in place, which, since it is sloped, provides 165 mm total protection, allowing the pilot to have a greater chance of survival in a head-on. However, unless highly experienced, pilots should avoid head-ons, especially against aircraft such as the [[Super Mystere B2]] and the [[G.91 YS]] which also feature 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons. Make sure to avoid the B2 as well, as the AA.20 air-to-air guided rockets will make the J/A29B have a hard time standing up to this aircraft.

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

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

{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
{{main|Akan m/47C (20 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 20 mm akan m/47C cannons, chin-mounted (180 rpg = 720 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
{{main|srak m/55 Frida|psrak m/49A|srak m/51|hprak m/49}}

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

* Without load
* 24 x 7,5 cm srak m/55 Frida rockets
* 14 x 14,5 cm psrak m/49A rockets
* 14 x 15 cm srak m/51 rockets
* 4 x 18 cm hprak m/49 rockets

== Usage in battles ==
''The J/A29B, also known as the "flying barrel", is armed with 4 x 20 mm Akan m/47C cannons that perform well, but still lack a bit of a punch for a fighter. The J/A29B has a good top speed but acceleration is not the quickest. Once it has built up speed it can catch most enemy jets that it will face, but something that will help it greatly in doing so is having an altitude advantage to dive on the target to get that extra acceleration to hunt down targets.''

''Turning with the J/A29B is a bad idea since the plane loves to bleed speed when turning, even though the J/A29B is good at turning, it can only do so for a small amount of time, before losing enough speed to be easy target for incoming enemies. The J/A29B's strengths are the Hit & Run tactic also known as Boom n Zoom. Should the J/A29B be uptiered against 8.7, it will struggle to keep up with the enemy jets but that will make the J/A29B into an excellent support fighter: when allied jets are engaged in combat with the enemy and make that enemy bleed its speed, the J29A can swoop in and help the teammate.''

''When taking off in RB and Sim modes you must be careful, J/A29B struggles to get off the runway, spooling, pressuring your front landing gear right before you engage flaps, and using flaps are all essential to a safe takeoff in this plane.''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

*High speed in a straight line.
*Powerful cannons with decent ammunition pool and access to very good AA belts.
*Good ordinance selection for ground attack.
*Effective airbrake and flaps.
*Great turning ability at speed.
*Good roll rate.
*High quantity of rockets which launch individually.

'''Cons:'''

*Slow acceleration.
*Slow climb rate.
*Relatively large target in Ground Battles for SPAA.
*Struggles to get off the runway with some loads.
*Extremely sluggish turning capability at low speed. Will dump speed when turning also.

== History ==

=== Initial development ===
During WWII, Sweden had effectively fallen behind in the development of military aircraft. This was largely due to a severely underdeveloped aircraft engine industry in Sweden which meant that there were no high-end engines available for aircraft production. Thus Sweden was still projecting propeller-driven fighter aircraft in 1945 equivalent to fighters projected by other nations 1-3 years prior. Since it was obvious by 1945 that jet aircraft was the future the Swedish Air Force decided to immediately scrap all propeller-driven fighter projects and instead make the jump to a jet fighter. Sweden's leading aeronautical firm SAAB, who was already actively working with the Swedish Air Force on the previously mentioned propeller fighters, was tasked with projecting this new jet fighter. Several designs were looked at but by mid-1945 it was decided that a mid-high wing aircraft with a central air intake would be the best option. Due to the mid-high wing it was not possible to house the landing gear in the wings. Instead, it was decided to house the landing gear in the fuselage of the aircraft. This concept got the project name R1001, R standing for "reaktionsmotor" (reaction engine), the Swedish military term for jet engines.

The original specifications for the R1001 called for a radar rangefinder, four Bofors 20 mm akan m/45 cannons mounted in the nose with 180 rounds per gun, external fuel tanks and a top speed of 1,000 km/h. The engine was originally supposed to be an indigenous design by the company STAL but by late 1945 Sweden had gotten the green light for acquiring the British "in development" de Havilland Ghost engine. There are several reasons why Sweden was allowed to buy this new powerful engine even before it was finished, but the two main factors were the economic state of Britain after the war and Sweden's good relations with the company de Havilland. The engine was however not the only thing which changed at an early stage. Originally the R1001 featured straight wings, as was common at the time. However, by pure luck Sweden was able to acquire some German WWII research papers from a Swiss source regarding swept wings on aircraft and their increased performance at high speeds. Thus it was decided to change the R1001 design to feature swept wings. The first blueprints of the R1001 featuring swept wings were finished by late 1945 and within 3 years a prototype had been constructed and was ready for flight testing. During these 3 years the design would change even further from the original concept. The radar rangefinder was dropped for unknown reasons, and the Bofors cannons were switched for Hispano designs due to delays at Bofors. By 1947 the aircraft had also received the designation J29.

=== Testing and production ===
The J29 prototype flew for the first time on the 1st of September 1948 and immediately showed incredible performance. The pilot chosen for this flight was SAAB's test pilot at the time, an Englishmen by the name Robert A. "Bob" Moore. He was a British squadron leader with previous experience flying jets and was thus suitable for the tests. The test flight lasted for half an hour and after a successful landing, Moore stated that "on the ground, it's an ugly duckling, but in the air it's a swift." Like many aircraft which pick up a nickname due to a specific feature or shape, the J29 would fairly quickly receive the nickname "Flygande Tunnan" (The Flying Barrel) or just "Tunnan" (The Barrel) for short. Initially thought of as degrading, the nickname Tunnan would not only become the official name for the aircraft but would also start the SAAB tradition of naming their combat aircraft, a tradition which persists to this day.

After correcting a few production errors the prototype would not only achieve the specified top speed of 1,000 km/h but it would even surpass it, achieving a sustainable speed of 1,060 km/h at one point. The design of the J29 showed a lot of promise for the future and talk of future variants would begin even before production had started. In fact, just a month after the prototype had taken to the air, there was talk of implementing attack-rockets and deflatable internal fuel tanks.

Production of the first J29 variant, the J29A, would commence in 1950 and deliveries to the air force would start in early 1951. It was quickly realized that the internal fuel capacity of the J29A was too limited and work began on implementing the previously discussed internal deflatable fuel tanks. This would be realized in a new version of the J29, designated [[J/A29B|J29B]], which entered production and service in 1953. The J29B's new internal fuel tanks gave it a 50% increase in fuel capacity compared to the J29A. The J29B would be followed by an unarmed reconnaissance version called the S29C which had been planned at an early stage. The S29C was to be followed by the [[J29D]], featuring increased armament and an afterburner, but due to a variety of reasons the J29D never entered production. Instead, a modified version of the J29B, called the J29E, would enter service. The E-variant featured a new dog toothed wing which increased maneuverability at high speeds. The J29E was soon followed by the [[J29F]] which was an upgrade-program for 210 J29B and E aircraft, increasing their performance and allowing them to serve throughout the 1960s.

All in all, 661 J29s would be produced for the Swedish Air Force, the largest production run by SAAB ever. The last of these would serve until the late 1970s.

=== Legacy ===
The J29 was a truly historical wonder for its time. After being stranded for the duration of the war, Sweden managed to not only catch up with modern aircraft development in a short amount of time but it was also able to lead jet fighter development in Europe for the time and arguably even into modern times. The J29 was the first swept-wing jet fighter to be mass-produced in Europe and together with the Soviet [[MiG-15]] and American [[F-86A-5|F-86]] it set the bar for how the next generation of fighter aircraft should be. It was extremely fast for its time and actually managed to take home two closed-circuit world speed records during the mid 1950s.

Besides its international legacy, the J29 was the first Swedish-designed aircraft to see combat. In September 1961, as part of the Congo-crisis, five J29Bs were stationed in the Republic of Congo to contribute to a UN peacekeeping mission (ONUC) in the region. This led to the formation of the air wing F 22 which exclusively served in Congo. F 22 was later reinforced by four more J29Bs and two S29C reconnaissance planes in 1962. F 22 would quickly take air superiority in the area which in turn lead to them primarily performing attack-missions during the conflict. No aircraft were lost during the ONUC despite large amounts of ground fire. When the ONUC was terminated in 1964, the aircraft-type had been decommissioned in Sweden and thus it was decided to only send home a select few J29s to Sweden. The majority of the F 22 J29s were blown up on the spot in Congo when the Swedish left the area.

=== J/A29B ===
Between 1953 and 1955, SAAB would produce and deliver 361 J29Bs to the Swedish air force. These would come to serve in the Swedish air force up until the early 1960s.

As mentioned previously the J29B was fitted with new internal deflatable fuel tanks and these were located in the inner wings. This gave the J29Bs ~50% more fuel than its older brother the J29A. The J29B could also equip two under wing drop tanks weighing up to 600 kg each, which increased the range even further. Interestingly the drop tanks could also be armed as incendiary bombs via a switch box in the cockpit. Beyond drop tanks the aircraft were also capable of carrying a wide variety of rockets for different missions.

Due to delays with the [[A32A]]-development, the J29B would initially serve as an attack aircraft, being designated as the A29B. While rockets were available for the [[J29A]] it was decided to use the J29B as an attack aircraft due to it being a new aircraft type which could be sent directly to the attack wings. There they would stay until 1957 when the A32A finally entered service. Afterwards, they served as regular fighters under the designation J29B.

In Sweden, the J29B would be used until 1963 when the type was ultimately decommissioned due to being obsolete. However a large sum of J29Bs had by this time been upgraded to J29F standards, and these would serve until 1978.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}