Designated the Saab J29 Tunnan, its shape earned it the “Flying Barrel” nickname. Now a curiosity for many, it’s an intriguing example of innovative Swedish thinking to military aviation’s requirement during the Cold War. The legacy of this unusual aircraft takes on even greater dimensions as Sweden prepares to join NATO. The only Swedish-designed warbird ever to see combat.
The Saab J29 Tunnan was a jet combat aircraft designed in Sweden during the late 1940s, the country’s second turbojet-powered combat aircraft after the Saab 21R. It became the first European fighter to go into production with swept-wing technology, inspired by German research of World War II. This aircraft had been developed mainly by Swedish aviation pioneer Lars Brising, with the British Ghost turbojet attached for greater performance.
The J29 Tunnan made its first flight in 1948; the more common name “Flying Barrel” is derived from its rotund shape. Fast and agile, on a 500 km closed circuit, the Tunnan established a world speed record of 607 mph in 1954. The versatile aircraft was employed effectively both as a fighter and as a fighter bomber.
The most famous use of the Tunnan was in the 1961-1964 UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. For the first time, a large-scale UN military action was undertaken in Africa. Sweden contributed five J29B fighters and two S29C reconnaissance variants to the ONUC force. UN air transport protection and occasional fire support were entrusted to the Tunnans.
The Swedish detachment thus provided the entire air support for the UN force, and this was felt to be wholly inadequate. In early 1962, with the growing intensity of the fighting, four J29Bs and two S29Cs joined the UN force eventually. With cannon and rockets, Tunnans performed well in ground attacks against enemy forces and never suffered any losses.
The J29 Tunnan was continuously updated throughout its service life, with the majority of B, D, and E variants being brought up to the higher standard J29F. This included the American AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, locally licensed-produced under the designation Rb 24. After almost twenty years of service, it was finally phased out in the early 1970s. The remaining units continued to serve as target tugs and countermeasures training vehicles up until 1976.
In all, 661 Tunnans were built and the type equipped no less than thirteen squadrons serving with the Swedish Air Force. Another foreign operator of the type was the Austrian Air Force, which flew the Saab 29 from 1961 through 1972.
Today, only three remain in their J29F configurations: one on show at the Museum of Military History in Vienna, a second at the French Musée de l’Air, and the third at the Swedish Cold War “Aeroseum” in Göteborg. Preserved examples of this aircraft remain as a testament to both Swedish aviation history and contributions to international peacekeeping.
The Saab J29 Tunnan is a relic of the capability of Sweden to develop advanced military technology and its international peacekeeping capability. As Sweden is about to integrate with NATO, the story of the “Flying Barrel” takes its rightful place for inspiration and information.