Northrop 8A-1 Swedish Air Force
B 5 Dive Bomber 1938 Original Factory Photo 8x10
Final Assembly, April 22, 1938 — Early Build for SwedenDESCRIPTIONThis original 8x10 black and white factory print shows a Northrop 8A-1 attack bomber at final assembly on April 22, 1938, photographed from the right front. The caption lettered into the image reads 3647, NORTHROP, 8A-1, 4-22-38, FINAL ASSEMBLY-RIGHT FRONT. The view shows the radial engine and three-blade propeller up close, the fixed landing gear with streamlined wheel fairings and the cockpit canopy, all in sharp detail.The 8A-1 was the export version of the Northrop A-17 attack bomber family built for Sweden, with fixed landing gear. In 1937 Douglas Aircraft took over Northrop\'s El Segundo plant, and export models were known as the Douglas Model 8, yet the factory caption on this print still reads Northrop.This print comes from the very start of Sweden\'s program. A Swedish Air Force delegation visited the United States in 1936 to evaluate a light bomber, and Sweden ordered an 8A-1 in 1937 along with the rights to build the design at home. License production at ASJA in Linköping was not ordered until September 1938, and the first Swedish-built aircraft was not delivered until April 1940. A final assembly view dated April 22, 1938 therefore shows one of the earliest American-built 8A-1s, made before any Swedish-built B 5 existed. The lower canopy and smaller engine cowling seen here were later changed in Sweden to a raised canopy and a larger cowling to fit a license-built Bristol Mercury engine.Swedish crews flew the B 5 as a dive bomber, although it was never designed for that role. Northrop advised against the practice, doubting the wing could take the strain of a steep dive, but Swedish engineers calculated that it would work. The bombsight was nothing more than sight lines painted on the canopy, and the results were surprisingly accurate. In all, 102 license-built B 5s were ordered. They replaced the Hawker Hart with wings F 4 at Frösön and F 6 at Karlsborg, and ski landing gear was developed for winter flying. Dozens of American engineers worked in Sweden in 1938 and 1939 to help start production, and the work gave Saab early experience with light-metal construction. Saab 17 dive bombers began arriving in 1942, and the last B 5s, converted to trainers and target tugs, were retired in 1950. The type also appears in the 1941 Swedish film Första divisionen.Removed from a 1930s Douglas El Segundo and Northrop factory photo album. This is an original period print, not a reprint. Images were scanned at 600dpi.Every effort is made for fact checking and provenance, including background research through news and historical archives. If any listing is incorrect in any way and you are unsatisfied with the item, please connect with me and I will make it right. Orders placed before Noon CDT will ship the same day via Ground Advantage with tracking, so you know exactly when it will arrive. Returns accepted on all items exceeding $25. Rigid, professional packaging on all shipments, sealed and protected in acid free protectors. Shipping is free and already built into the price, so the BIN price is exactly what you pay, no surprise shipping costs at checkout.CONDITIONOriginal black and white 8x10 print on white-bordered photographic paper. The image is sharp with a good tonal range and clear caption lettering. The surface shows a few light dust specks and faint handling marks. The white border has light edge wear and a small chip at the lower right corner. The reverse is toned amber from old album adhesive, with small patches of gray album paper fiber along the edges from removal from the album. The residue and paper fiber are on the reverse only and do not affect the image. No tears, creases or cracks in the image area. Scanned at 600dpi, and the listing photos show the actual print.
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