Saab 90 Scandia

File:SaabScandia.jpg

Saab Scandia at Linköping

The Saab 90 Scandia was a civil passenger aeroplane, manufactured by the Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB), in Linköping, Sweden. In 1944, as it was becoming clear the Second World War would soon be at an end, SAAB realised the company had to diversify from purely military endeavours, if it were to survive. The board therefore decided to put into action a plan to manufacture a twin-engined, short- to medium-haul passenger aircraft, as a successor for the Douglas DC-3.

The design of the 90 Scandia is quite similar to the DC-3. The only distinct visible difference is tricycle gear, while the DC-3 is a taildragger. The 90 had to compete with the many surplus DC-3s available on the market at the same time making sales difficult.

History

Development started in February 1944. Take-off weight was specified at about 11,600 kg, with a range of about 1,000 km. The prototype Saab 90 (Scandia) first flew in November 1946. It was capable of seating 24-32 passengers, with low-speed capability. It was to be fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-2000 engines. It had a single nose-wheel and fully retractable undercarriage. ABA Swedish Airlines, a predecessor of SAS, ordered 10 examples. The 'Type Certificate' was issued in June 1950. Delivery started in October 1950 but, after testing, specification had changed to the Pratt & Whitney R-2180-E1. Two Brazilian airlines (VASP and Aerovias do Brasil) also ordered a total of 6 aircraft. The prototype was subsequently converted to a luxury private executive aircraft, for the Brazilian industrialist Olavo Fontoura.

Design

The Scandia project was initiated in 1944 by a supposed need (after WW2) of aircraft carrying 25-30 passengers for a distance of up to 1000 km.

Main design objectives:

• Safety
• Two Engines
• Long Life
• Economic Operation
  
  

The wing was shaped, using NACA profiles, to provide good stalling characteristics. Low wing design was chosen since it provides:

• Less structural weight
• Better safety by emergency landing
• Possibility for one continual flap
  
  

The wing was built in three pieces. The centre section with engine mounts. Left and right section which were bolted to the centre section, just outside the engine area.

The airframe diameter was chosen to allow for 4 seats per row. This configuration gave a capacity of 32 passengers. A configuration with wider and more comfortable seats, three seats per row, carrying a total of 24 passengers was also offered. The prototype (90.001) was equipped with 1450 BHP Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R2000 engines (changed to 1650 BHP P&W Twin Wasp R2180 on production version).
The entire aircraft was built in metal except for the rudders which were fabric covered metal frames.

First Flight & Test Flights

The prototype (SE-BCA) made its first flight on November 16th 1946. Claes Smith was the pilot. The first flight lasted for 20 minutes. The plane had exceptionally good low flying characteristics, with full control down to 110-115 km/h. The stall was slow and preceded by vibrations. The plane also turned out to be easily maneuverd with one engined turned of, which usually not is the case with two-engined aircraft. Unfortunattely the rudder harmony was not satisfactory with high lever forces in some situations. The engine installation also needed redesign.

The prototype flew a total of 154 hourse before the winter of 1947/48 when it was parked in the hangar for modifications. The engines were elevated for increased clearance between propeller blades and ground. The cabin, that previously only conatained test equipment, was decorated. On February the 7th 1948 the prototype took of again and begun the second testing phase. The second phase mostly consisted of performance tests. After 700 hours of test flying it was decided to introduce the following changes to the production planes:

• More powerful engines
• Four blade Hamilton-Standard propellers
• Springtabs on side- and elevation rudders for reduced lever forces

Promotional Flying

In 1947 had the prototype quickly visited Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland. In may 1948 it made a one day trip from Linköping to Newcastle via Oslo. During these flights the prototype only had test equipment onboard. No real demonstration flights with potential customers took place. For this reason it was decided to make a real demonstration tour through Europe now that the cabin was properly decorated.

113 Hours Around Europe
The prototype departed on August 9th 1948. After visits to 11 European countries SE-BCA returned to Linköping on November 11th 1948. The first stop was in Stockholm. Then in the following order it visited Norway (Oslo), Ireland (Dublin), England (Prestwick, Gatwick, Jersey), Denmark (Copenhagen), Belgium (Bruxelles), Holland (Amsterdam), Switzerland (Geneva, Zürich), Portugal (Lissbo, Oporto), Spain (Madrid), France (Paris) and finally Finland. Total flying time was 113 hours with 123 take offs and a total distance of 37.200 km. 1.200 passengers were transported. In Holland Prince Bernhard of Holland flew the plane

In every town the Scandia was welcomed by the respective airline and local press, but it did not result in any orders. Many airlines also visited Linköping for a closer look and demonstration during the years 1948-49. Some of these were DNL, Fred Olsen, DDL, Aero Oy, Swissair, FAMA, Aerol, Argentinas, KLM, Air Service, Sabena, Garuda.

Three Continents
A second promotional tour was started on August 16th 1949. With six extra fuel tanks, each carrying 400 liters, SE-BCA started a tour that would take it to three continents. This was also the last time it was seen in Sweden.

The first trip went to Paris were the extra fuel tanks were removoed. On August 23rd SE-BCA arrived to Addis Abeba (Ethiopia). The following day emperor Haile Selassie went on a demonstration tour. Present on this tour was also Carl von Rosen, who at the time was counsellor for the Ethiopean Air Force. Athen, Kairo, Asmara, Port Sudan and Luxor were also visited on this tour. On this tour the plane was subjected to temperatures of 50C, with no problems. When the plane returned to Paris the extra fuel tanks were reinstalled.

On September 4th SE-BCA left Paris with destination Pratt & Whitneys homebase in Hartford, Connecticut. Stop-overs in Greenland, Iceland and Prestwick. The trip took 3 days. In Hartford the extra fuel tanks were removed and the interior was refitted. A extensive demonstration program all over the USA took place. Some of the citys visited were New York, Washington, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Houston. In Los Angeles Howard Hughes flew the Scandia, and he praised the design. On October 14th the Scandia returned to Hartford.

Operators and Fleet

• Aktiebolaget Aerotransport (ABA)
• Aerovias do Brasil
• Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
• VASP
  
  

SAS Fleet

Registration	Cn	SAS Name	Service	Note
SE-BSA	101	Not delivered to SAS		Production series prototype
SE-BSB	105	Gardar Viking	Oct. 50 - Aug. 57
SE-BSC	102	Not delivered to SAS
SE-BSD	106	Grim Viking	Nov. 50 - Aug. 57
SE-BSE	108	Jarl Viking	Jan. 51 - Jan. 58
SE-BSF	109	Nial Viking	Mar. 51 - Oct. 57	New registration, LN-KLK Sept. 51
SE-BSG	110	Sigurd Viking	Apr. 51 - Nov. 57	New registration, LN-KLL May. 51 (SE-CFX for 7 days)
SE-BSH	107	Torulf Viking
SE-BSK	116	Arne Viking	Oct. 54 - Feb. 58
SE-BSL	117	Folke Viking	Nov. 54 - Mar. 57

VASP Fleet

Registration	Cn	Service	Note
PP-SQB	001	Jun. 50 - Aug. 53	Ex prototype SE-BCA. Delivered as PP-XEA via Aerovias Brazil?	Sold as PT-ARS
PP-SQC	102	Jun. 50 - Sep. 66	Delivered as PP-XEB via Aerovias Brazil?
PP-SQD	104	Sep. 50 - Mar. 64	Delivered as PP-XEJ via Aerovias Brazil?
PP-SQE	103	Dec. 50 - Dec. 58	Delivered as PP-XEI via Aerovias Brazil?	Crashed
PP-SQF	101	Oct. 50 - Oct. 64	Delivered as PP-XEK via Aerovias Brazil?
PP-SQN	111	Aug. 51 - Apr. 66	Delivered as PP-XEL via Aerovias Brazil?
PP-SQQ	112	Jul. 55 - Sep. 68
PP-SQR	115	Sep. 55 - Nov. 69
PP-SQS	113	Jul. 55 - Aug. 60		Crashed
PP-SQT	114	Sep. 55 - Jun. 64
PP-SQU	117	Mar. 64	Ex SAS
PP-SQV	106	Sep. 57 - Sep. 59	Ex SAS SE-BSD	Crashed
PP-SQW	105	Sep. 57 - Nov. 65	Ex SAS SE-BSB
PP-SQX	109	Oct. 57 - Apr. 63	Ex SAS SE-BSF
PP-SQY	110	Nov. 57 - Mar. 64	Ex SAS SE-BSG	Crashed
PP-SQZ	116	Feb. 58 - Oct. 63	Ex SAS
PP-SRA	107	Dec. 57 - Nov. 62	Ex SAS SE-BSH	Crashed
PP-SRB	108	Jan. 58 - Aug. 63	Ex SAS SE-BSE

Crashes

Five Saab Scandia have been lost at crashes. Three of them were fatal with a total of 64 fatalities.

Date: December 30, 1958
Location: Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Operator: VASP
Route: Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
Registration: PP-SQE
Cn: 90.103 (first flight: 1950)
Fatalities: 21 (passengers: 17, crew: 4)
Total onboard: 37 (passengers: 33, crew: 4)
Narrative: The Saab took off from Rio de Janeiro and was climbing through an altitude of 50m when the no. 1 engine failed. The pilot made a 90 degree left turn and started another left turn after flying straight on for about 500m. During that turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea.
Probable Cause: "The accident was attributed to the pilot' incorrect handling of the controls in flight."

Date: September 23, 1959
Time: 18:40
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Operator: VASP
Route: São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro
Registration: PP-SQV
Cn: 90.106 (first flight: 1950)
Fatalities: 20 (passengers: 16, crew: 4)
Total onboard: 20 (passengers: 16, crew: 4)
Narrative: The Saab plane didn't gain much height after takeoff from São Paulo and crashed 1 1/2 minutes out of São Paulo.
Probable Cause: "The cause of the accident could not be determined."

Date: August 15, 1960
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Operator: VASP
Route: São Paulo – Uberlandia, MG
Registration: PP-SQS
Cn: 90.113 (first flight: 1954)
Fatalities: 0
Total onboard: n/a
Narrative: A fire occurred in the forward baggage compartment while the aircraft was on a flight from São Paulo to Uberlandia. The fire extinguisher was not used because the pilot thought that the fumes would invade the flight deck reducing the already poor visibility. An emergency landing was carried out on São Paulo-Viracopos runway 10, but the plane overran onto an area where the runway was being reconstructed.
Probable Cause: "1) Fire in the front luggage compartment. 2) Pilot misjudged distance. 3) Brakes and reverse thrust used too late. 4) Inadequate runway surface."

Date: November 26, 1962
Time: 12:09
Location: Near Paraibuna, Brazil
Operator: VASP
Route: São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro
Registration: PP-SRA
Cn: 90.107 (first flight: 1951)
Fatalities: 23 (passengers: 18, crew: 5)
Total onboard: 23 (passengers: 18, crew: 5)
Narrative: The Saab took off from São Paulo at 11:44 GMT for an IFR flight to Rio de Janeiro. Last position report was at 12:03 when abeam São Jose dos Campos. Cessna 310 PT-BRQ took off from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont at 11:11 GMT for a VFR flight to Marte. It was flying on the same airway (Airway AB-6) in the opposite direction. Both aircraft collided at 2400m and crashed. After the collision a Notam was issued, prohibiting VFR flights on the AB-6 airway.
Probable Cause: "Both pilots failed to maintain adequate lookouts for other aircraft."

Date: March 8, 1964
Location: Londrina Airport, PR
Operator: VASP
Route: Training flight
Registation: PP-SQY
Cn: 90.110 (first flight 1951)
Fatalities: 0 (passengers: 0, crew: 0)
Total onboard: 4 (passengers: 0, crew: 4)
Narrative: Heavy landing

Crash information source: http://aviation-safety.net and http://www.planecrashinfo.com

The End

The Swedish Airforce put heavy and insistent demands upon the SAAB factory, for the Saab J29 (Tunnan) fighter aircraft, which spelled the end of the Scandia project in Sweden, with residual production being undertaken by Fokker, in the Netherlands.

Post script

Altogether, only 18 examples were manufactured. The entire SAS fleet was eventually purchased by VASP, in 1957.

A larger version with pressurised cabin called 90B was planned, but never made.

The last flight with a 90 Scandia was on July 22, 1969.

Only one 90 Scandia, PP-SQR, remains. It stands outdoors in a museum in Bebedouro, Brazil. It is said to be complete, but in very bad condition. SAAB tried to buy the plane for its 50 year jubilee in 1987, but the owner asked a price SAAB thought was unreasonably high.

This is a picture of the PP-SQR http://fesa.be/PP-SQR.html

Variants

• Saab 90A : Twin-engined short-range airliner. Main production version.
• Saab 90B : Proposed version. Not built.

External links

• MyAviation.net photo gallery

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Saab 90 Scandia".