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B 6 - Seversky Republic 2PA Guardsman
Image: The B 6 with the aircraft designation/code 46. It was one of the two only B 6 that managed to arrive to Sweden before United States of America issued embargo on exporting military equipment at the start of WWII. Image was taken in 1940 at the F 6 (Västgöta Wing) by a unknown photographer.
Summarized background history:
The B 6, also known as the Severky Republic 2PA Guardsman: Is a two-seater version of the American Seversky Republic EP-1-106. Which Sweden also used in their Air Force and was designated as J 9: (URL to War Thunder Wiki). The B 6 was intended to be used as a light bomber in the F 6 (Västgöta Wing) compared to the J 9: Which were the fighter version.
The introduction of these aircrafts began in 1939, in which the Swedish Goverment ordered a total of 120 Seversky Republic EP-1-106 (Some where ordered throughout 1939 and some just before the US Export embargo in 1940). At the same time, the Swedish goverment also ordered 52 of the P2A Guardsman: Which as mentioned were the two-seater version. Which the now designated name: B 6, was planned to be used as a light bomber: The underbelly of the aircraft were planned to carry either 4 x 50 kg bombs or 1 x 250 kg bomb. The wings would be able to carry 6 x 50 bombs (3 x 50 kg bombs on either wing).
However, due to the embargo which United States placed on October 10th, 1940: In which they banned all export of all types of military equipment: With the exception of United Kingdom and her allies. Only 60 out of the original 120 J 9’s and 2 out of the original 52 B 6’s managed to arrive to Sweden. The two B 6’s were then assemled in Centrala Flygverkstaden Malmslätt (CVM) and subsequentely integrated into F 6 (Västgöta Wing) the same year.
The equipment which the B 6 were inteded to have (Aside from the plan of carrying bombs), were the 13,2mm machineguns. But were instead equipped with the 8mm Kulspruta m/22 throughout its service time. Due to being a two-seater aircraft: it also received a rear mounted machinegun: Which were the 8 mm Kulsrptua m/22-37R. The engine which the B 6 used, was the Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830 (TWC-3) air-cooled radial engine. Which gave the engine roughly 1065 HP (Horse Power).
Service in the Swedish Air Force:
Image: Chief of Air Force: Bengt Nordenskiöld (Right) would often used the B 6 as his personal Staff plane during it’s last years in Swedish Service.
While only two B 6’s managed arriving to Sweden due to the embargo. It didn’t stop them from introducing it to the Swedish Air Force: With the first B 6 desingated as #7023 with aircraft code 16. Which you can see on the image below. However shortly after its introduction, it was wrecked beyond repair after only 31 hours of flight-time due to a accident occuring during a regular training sortie.
Image: The first B 6 with the aircraft code 16. Date of image was likely taken in the late 1940 by a unknown photographer.
The second aircraft (Which this suggestion focuses mostly on): With the designation of #7024 and aircraft code 46 had more luck. It was subsequently rebased to F 8 (Svea Air Corps) at Barkarby near Stockholm. Which were used by the Air Staff throughout its service time: Oftenly used by the Swedish Cheif of the Air force at the time between 1942-1954: Bengt G. Nordenskiöld.
However and sadly enough, the B 6 were suddenly put out of service in 1953. After the B 6 suddenly suffered a serious accident due to a ground loop during a regular landing sortie. The damages of the aircraft were deemed too severe and too costly: Which were the main reasons as to why the aircraft was suddenly put out of service.
Specifications:
| B 6 - Seversky Republic 2PA Guardsman | |
|---|---|
| Weight (Empty Weight): | ~2100 Kilograms |
| Weight (Max Weight): | ~3000 kg Kilograms |
| Length: | 8,44 meters |
| Width: | 12,5 meters |
| Height: | 2,98 meters |
| Wing area: | 20,9 m² |
| Crew: | 2 crew members |
| Climb rate: | 10,4 m/sek |
| Max Speed: | 458-520 km/h (Depending on the altitude) |
| Service ceiling (Max height): | 9150~ meters |
| Engine: | 1 x Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830 (TWC-3) air-cooled radial engine: 1065 hp |
| Max Range: | 850 km |
| Armament (Offensive): | 2 x 8mm ksp m/22Fh |
| Armament (Defensive): | 1 x 8mm ksp m/22-37R |
| Planned Armament (Bombs): | Underbelly: 4 x 50kg or 1 x 250kg. Wings: 6 x 50kg bombs |
| Ammunition Capacity: | Offensive Armament: 800 rounds. Defensive Armament: 250~500 rounds |
| Number in Service: | B 6: 2 (originally planned: 52) |
Sources: