Saab J21/J21R
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Mikael Forslund
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-83-61421-08-5
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 144
Sweden's homegrown aviation industry has a very long history, and Saab has been a part of that history for many decades. Throughout their long history, Saab has had a penchant for producing some odd-shaped aircraft. Such is the case for the subject of this latest book from Mushroom Model Publications, the Saab J21. This twin-boom pusher propeller aircraft is unmistakable in appearance, and became even more so when Saab re-engineered the type to adapt it to jet power, creating the J21R. This book provides the most complete history of this aircraft currently available in the English language, so it is a very welcome addition to the MMP Yellow Series.
The Yellow Series provides both development and operational history, and so this book begins with the origins of the J21. This came about from the need to have a fighter aircraft as war clouds gathered over Europe. Initially looking to purchase suitable aircraft abroad, military requirements of those other nations saw the cancellation of orders and only second-rate aircraft being offered. Saab stepped up and the J21 was born. The innovative design required some changes across the board, such as modifying a trainer to experiment with the tricycle landing gear. Further development history is provided in the separate J21R chapter, which documents the steps needed to convert the piston-engined aircraft to jet power.
The operational history section is not too exciting, as the aircraft did not see combat. The J21/J21R did serve with several units in the Flygvapnet, though, and these operations are well documented. In addition to the text, the book has quite a few photos, which is very welcome as this is not a commonly seen aircraft outside of Sweden. Completing the book is a walkaround section and the final color profile illustration section. The latter does a great job of showing some of the interesting unit markings carried by the J21.
Given that this is just about the only English-language history of the J21 available, it is very welcome for fans of Swedish aircraft, and a great addition to any small air forces library. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.