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By developing the Saab 35 Draken, Saab made a bold move by choosing a double delta wing configuration. Due to limited knowledge of this configuration, it was decided to build a special test-bed in order to improve the project safety. The experimental aircraft was scaled down to 70 percent of the planned size and was given the designation Saab 210 Lill-Draken. The intention was primarily to test the flight characteristics at low speeds and to test the assumptions made before undertaking full-scale construction. The maiden flight on 21 January 1952 was made by Bengt Olow.The Saab 210 performed around 1,000 test flights over four years. The results provided valuable experience during development of the Saab 35 Draken. Saab 210 is the first and only experimental aircraft to have been developed throughout Saab's history. Lill-Draken is now on display at the Air Force museum in Linköping, Sweden. |