SAAB 91 SAFIR

91.201

SAAB 91B 50001 Sk 50B
2 July, 1952 - November, 1952

50001 made a very short service in the Swedish Air Force. After Test flights and approval it was sold back to SAAB.

SAAB 91B SE-BWB
17 November, 1952 -

SAAB bought this A/C and was planing to use it as a demonstration A/C

20 February, 1953 -

The Swedish-Japanese Business house Gadelius & Co AB in Stockholm bought the A/C

SAAB 91B SE-BWB
17 November, 1952 -

The Japanese Safir wrapped up and awaiting delivery.

(SAAB 29 Tunnan during production in the background)

Photo © by SAAB.

SAAB 91B JA3055
20 May, 1953 - 4 Apr, 1956

The Safir was proposed to the emerging JASDF as a basic trainer but JASDF chooosed the T-34 instead.
This photo was taken at Fujisawa Airfield in May, 1956.

STOL Research Aircraft X1G
(SAAB 91B Safir Mod.)

	SAAB 91B TX-7101 X1G 1957 - Even if the Safir lost against the T-34. The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) bought one Safir (since it has a very clever wing-installation, you can change wings in a couple of minutes) to be used for the STOL research program This Safir was designated as X1G, standing for Experimental 1st aircraft, Giken. Giken is Japanese abbreviation meaning TRDI. The various wings for the X1G-versions were designed and built by Japanese companies.
	SAAB 91B TX-7101 X1G1 December, 1957 - August, 1958 The X1G1 equipped with wide span slotted flaps and spoilers was used for high lifting force wing research. Photo © by TRDI.
	SAAB 91B TX-7101 X1G2 April, 1959 - September, 1960 X1G2 was installed with gas turbine for providing compressed air to BLC blowing devices on leading and trailing edges of its wings. Engine was replaced with a Continental IO-470-D (260 hp). Fabric skins of rudder and elevator were also replaced by wimpled metal skins. Note exhaust pipe protruding from fuselage. The X1G2 was called aircraft with a chimney. Photo © by TRDI.
	SAAB 91B TX-7101 X1G3 April, 1962 - August, 1962 Research for high lifting coefficient and lateral control by wing end plates. The aerofoil was newly designed to improve stall characteristic, and leter has been partially applied to C-1 transport aircraft. Photo © by TRDI.
	SAAB 91B TX-7101 X1G1B - March, 1987 Reconfigured with X1G1 wings. Still with the Continental engine. It was used for various tasks, such as: Airborne relay site for air to ground telemetry, radar altimeter test bed, liaison transport and flight test supporter. In 1987 X1G1B was retired, it had been replaced by BK117 The Safir was stored at Gifu Air Base. Photo © by TRDI.
	X1G1B flying over Inuyama Castle near Gifu Air Base. Photo © by TRDI.
	Photo © by TRDI.