SAAB 32A LANSEN SWEDISH FIGHTER N5468X
April 2003
SAAB Lansen Ready for Painting
SAAB 32A LANSEN SWEDISH FIGHTER N4432V
The SAAB 32 Lansen
SAAB A32 Lansens, N5486X, , and N4432V of Mach Two Inc. were sold to
Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation to raise funds for a Spitfire Mk. XIX
for the Swedish Air Force Museum. The SAAB construction numbers are 32209, and
32284, respectively. The initial production version of the Lansens was the
tandem-seat "A32A" dedicated attack variant, which entered service in
1955. By 1957, twelve squadrons had been equipped with the A32A.
Military Aircraft Restorations Corporation, donated the two SAAB Lansens to the United States Airpower Museum and are now under restoration back to flying condition.
The A32A were armed with
four Swedish-built Hispano Mark V 20 millimeter cannon fitted in the nose, with
180 rounds per gun. The gun ports were sealed by shutters that popped open
automatically when the pilot disengaged the weapon safety. A pair of small
plates under the nose prevented the ejected casings from ingestion by the engine
intakes. The casings did strike the centerline external fuel tank, and so a
neoprene plastic shell protected the nose of the fuel tank.
The Lansen was an effective strike
aircraft, providing a stable platform for cannon and rocket attacks. A total of
287 A32As were delivered from 1955 through 1958, The A32A was followed in
production by the "J32B", a tandem-seat all-weather fighter variant.
The initial J32B first flew on 7 January 1957, and the type went into squadron
service in July 1958.
SAAB J32B LANSEN:
Wingspan 42 feet 8 inches