Photograph:
Saab 91C Safir VH-BHG (c/n 91-276) at Mangalore, VIC in April 1985 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Sweden
Description:
Four-seat cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming O-360-A1A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.59 m (34 ft 9 in)
- Length: 8.03 m (26 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.2 m (7 ft 2½ in)
- Wing area: 13.6 m² (146 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 300 m/min (985 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,100 m (16,800 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 175 litres (38.5 Imp gals)
- Range at 1,524 m (5,000 ft) at 225 km/h (140 mph): 1,126 km (700 miles)
- Take-off to 15 m (50 ft): 450 m (1,476 ft)
- Landing from 15 m (50 ft): 350 m (1,148 ft)
- Empty weight: 745 kg (1,650 lb)
- Useful load: 710 kg (1,565 lb)
- Wing loading: 88.6 kg/m² (18.2 lb/sq ft)
- Power loading: 8.99 kg/kw (14.8 lb/hp)
- Loaded weight: 1,215 kg (2,686 lb)
History:
Built by Svenska Aeroplane AB at Linkoping in Sweden and designed by Anders Anderson, the Safir was an all-metal training monoplane produced for the Swedish Air Force. Manufactured in a variety of versions, the prototype Safir was flown for the first time on 20 November 1945 powered by a 97 kw (130 hp) de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C engine. Subsequently it was adopted by a number of air forces in Europe as a two/three-seat basic trainer.
The Safir was a cantilever low-wing monoplane. The wing was of single-spar structure in two detachable sections bolted to the fuselage, with metal covering. The monocoque fuselage had vertical frames, longitudinal stringers and stressed Alclad skin.
The first model to enter production was the Model 91A, powered by a 108 kw (145 hp) de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2, but subsequent models, the 91B, 91B-2, 91C and 91D, were all fitted with Lycoming horizontally-opposed engines. The 91B appeared in 1951, followed by the 91B-2 with a 142 kw (190 hp) Lycoming O-435-A engine. The Model 91C differed from earlier versions because it was aimed primarily at the civil market. Accommodation was provided for four persons and luggage, but it could also be used as a trainer, private, business, taxi, and aerial mapping aircraft. A stretcher case and a medical attendant could also be accommodated, and by removing the rear seats a quarter of a tonne of cargo could be carried.
The first 91C was flown in September 1953. The next model built, the 91D, was also fitted with the O-360 Lycoming engine, this unit providing 134 kw (180 hp) at 2,700 rpm driving a McCauley metal two-blade constant speed propeller, and other minor alterations such as a more powerful generator, etc. Externally it differed with a modified air-intake and a new propeller spinner. The type was also built in Sweden, 120 examples being built by N V Koninklisjke Maatschappij de Schelde at Dordrecht.
One Model 91C was imported to Australia in May 1954 to be displayed at a Swedish Trade Exhibition held in Sydney, NSW. This aircraft (c/n 91-276 – ex SE-BYZ) was a new model and was powered by a Lycoming O-435-A engine, this being a six-cylinder unit providing 142 kw (190 hp), this example being a Dutch production aircraft imported as a demonstrator, having previously made a sales tour in the United States. The importer used the aircraft for demonstration flights, hoping to obtain an order from the RAAF. A sales tour was then made on the Australian east coast.
It is interesting to note that in the late 1940s PG (later Sir) Taylor entered into an agreement with Howard F Hudson Pty Ltd to act as the Australian agent for the Saab Safir aircraft, being paid a retainer of $200 plus a commission of 20 per cent. It would appear he was unable to sell any further aircraft.
The demonstrator aircraft was registered VH-BQK in June 1955 to Howard F Hudson Pty Ltd of Kent Street, Sydney, the Australian agent. As no further orders were received it was sold to Mr L G Mahon in Launceston, TAS. The registration was changed to VH-AHA² on 6 January 1958 and it was operated for a period with the Tasmanian Aero Club at Launceston. In February 1961 it took part in the Mobilgas Closed Circuit Air Race at Avalon, VIC and in March 1964 was an entrant in the R M Ansett Air Race from Brisbane, QLD to Adelaide, SA with the race number 48.
Ownership was changed in June 1964 to R ‘Bobby’ W Gibbes at Goroka, NG, founder of Gibbes Sepik Airways of Wewak, before returning to the mainland. In April 1967 it became VH-BHG4, and underwent an extensive overhaul at Tamworth NSW. In 1974 it was registered to S Jennings of Ivanhoe, VIC, being based at Berwick, VIC for a period, and in later years with M Jennings of Narre Warren, VIC. It was dismantled in about 2011 and placed in storage. It appears it was sold to James Geordon Investments Pty Ltd of Drumcondra, VIC and received major maintenance at Bacchus Marsh, VIC before returning to the civil aircraft register.