12/31/2012. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The Saab 32 Lansen (Lance) was designed and built for the Royal Swedish AF in accordance with a specification laid down by the Royal Swedish Air Board for an aircraft primarily intended for all-weather attack operations against ground and sea targets.

Saab 202 ("U") (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

The 39° swept wing was first tested in reduced scale on a Saab Safir trainer starting in March 1950, the vehicle being designated Saab 202.

The first prototype of the Saab 32 made its first flight on November 3, 1952, powered by an early version of the British-built Rolls-Royce Avon axial-flow turbojet engine. The production A 32A, however, was fitted with the Avon RA 7R with afterburner (Swedish Air Force designation RM 5) built under license in Sweden by Svenska Flygmotor AB of Trollhättan.

During 1953 a Lansen prototype exceeded the speed of sound under complete control during dive tests, one of the first aircraft of its class in the world to do so. The Lansen was ordered into quantity production in 1953, and the aircraft was in large-scale service with the Swedish AF in the following versions:

A 32A. First production version for all-weather attack duties. Deliveries of 287 aircraft began in December 1955 and were completed in June 1987.
J 32B. All-weather and night fighter version first flown on January 7, 1957. Differed from the A 32A mainly in having a considerably more powerful Svenska Flygmotor-built Avon engine (RM 6B in Sweden) fitted with an enlarged Swedish-developed afterburner (15,200 lb, 6,900 kg st), giving considerably increased rate of climb and speed. The J 32B also features a new armament, comprising four 1.18 in (30 mm) cannon and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, or pods of unguided rockets, and a new navigation and fire control system. A total of 118 J 32Bs were delivered between July 1958 and May 1960.
S 32C. Photographic reconnaissance version, first flown on March 26, 1957. Fitted with the most modern photographic equipment, with provision for several alternative camera installations in modified nose. Special aids made possible night photography from a wide range of altitudes. Complete electronic equipment for night navigation and radar reconnaissance. During 1959-1960 a total of 44 S 32Cs were delivered.

The aircraft pictured on top of the page was used by the Försökscentralen (Flight Test Center), coded FC 24 and wearing a black and white scheme. It was sold to the Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation at Chino, California, and registered in the USA as N4432V, it was flown across the Atlantic in July 1985. It was put up for sale in 1990, but it was not sold and subsequently stored at Mojave. In 2002 it was donated to the United States Airpower Museum at Fresno.

Lansen at Paso Robles (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

In September 2009 it was acquired by the Estrella Warbirds Museum at Paso Robles, where it has been restored for static display."