Historical Writings of the combat aircraft of the two World Wars

Articles by Charles Bain

FFVS J22

Sweden was limited in terms of aircraft by an embargo on an export order for 292 fighters and fighter bombers ordered from the United States in October 1940. This created a major crisis. The Flygvapen (Swedish Air Force) established an emergency program to design a fighter using only domestic talent and industries.

The coda of the project was simplicity. (An idea that seems very odd when one finds that there were over 500 subcontractors on the program) The design team, led by Bo Lundberg managed to accomplish it. The J22 was all-swedish, being powered by a Swedish-made copy of the Pratt &Whitney Twin Wasp.

The J22 was a cantilever mid-wing monoplane of mixed steel-tube and wood construction. The tubular steel fuselage had a covering of moulded plywood panels that were integral with the load-bearing structure of the fighter. The first flight was on September 21st, 1942. The flight took place from Bromma airport, where the assembly plant had been placed.

Service deliveries began in October of 1943 and eventually a total of 198 were produced. The principle units to use the J22 were F3 and F9 wings, operating out of Malmslätt and Göteborg. The plane proved to be popular with pilots, the only complaint being that it had poor visibility when on the ground.
The J22's biggest contribution was the experience it gave to the nascent Swedish air industry. This experience was the main factor in establishing the post-war industry in Sweden.

 

Technical Data

Manufacturer: Flygforvaltningens Flygverkstad. (Air Board Workshop)

Type: Single-seat fighter

Powerplant: One 794-kW (1,065hp) SFA STWC3-G 14-cylinder radial piston engine.

Performance: Maximum speed 575km/h (357mph); service ceiling 9300m (30,510ft); range 1270km (789 miles)

Weights: Empty equipped 2020kg (4,453lb); maximum take-off 2835kg (6,250lb)

Dimensions: Span 10.00m (32ft 9 3/4in); length 7.80m (25ft 7in); height 2.60m (8ft 6 1/4in); wing area 16.00m sq. (172.23 sq ft)

Armament: J22A two 7.9mm (0.31in) machine guns, two 13.2mm (0.52in) guns. J22B four 13.2 mm (0.52in) machine guns

If you have any questions you would like answered, e-mail them to
charles_bain@hotmail.com
 

Home page

Site map

 
Copyright simviation.com 2002