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| On 11 July 1969 Saab flew the prototype (SE-301) of a two/three-seat civil/military trainer or general utility aircraft to which it had allocated the designation Saab-MFI 15. As then flown it was powered by a 119kW Avco Lycoming IO-320-B2 flat-four engine and had a conventional low-set tailplane, but this was modified subsequently to T-tail configuration to minimise damage when operating from rough airfields.
The prototype was flown on 26 February 1971 with a more powerful Avco Lycoming engine, which became the standard powerplant for the production version, which was re-designated Saab Safari. A braced shoulder-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, available optionally with tailwheel landing gear, it provides side-by-side enclosed accommodation for two and has dual controls as standard.
A military version designated originally Saab-MFI 17 was flown on 6 July 1972 and differed from the Safari by being equipped more specifically for use as a military trainer, or for such duties as artillery observation, forward air control and liaison; this version was later named Saab Supporter.
In August 1978 Saab flew a version of the Safari with a 157kW Continental flat-six turbocharged engine; designated Safari TS it did not progress beyond the prototype stage.
Saab built a combined total of about 250 Safari/Supporter aircraft before production ended in the late 1970s. Military Supporters were supplied to the Pakistan air force and army (45), Royal Danish air force (32, which designated it T-17) and Zambian air force (20). Licence-production of this aircraft was started in Pakistan during 1976, initially from kits supplied by Saab, but there has been a gradual change to indigenous manufacture from raw materials. Designated Mushshak in Pakistan, more than 150 have been built.
 | A three-view drawing (800 x 684) |
| MODEL | Saab-Safari |
| ENGINE | 1 x Avco Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 piston engine, 149kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 1200 kg | 2646 lb |
| Loaded weight | 646 kg | 1424 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 8.85 m | 29 ft 0 in |
| Length | 7.0 m | 23 ft 12 in |
| Height | 2.6 m | 9 ft 6 in |
| Wing area | 11.9 m2 | 128.09 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 235 km/h | 146 mph |
| Ceiling | 4100 m | 13450 ft |
| Johan Runfeldt, e-mail, 22.07.2011 18:31 Toulson, the Bölkow Bö 208 is a licensed variant of the MFI-9. The Germans were given world rights for the plane, and Malmö Flygindustri only made planes for Scandinavia, due to outrageous Swedish weapons export laws. After the Biafran war the plane was seen as a weapon you see. reply | | Lin Light, e-mail, 20.07.2010 20:15 I have an MFI-9HB and I have two sets of drawings. Would like to hear from anyone having any construction manuals reply |
| M Toulson, e-mail, 09.06.2010 00:07 This airplane looks to me like an update of the Bolkow Bo 208 "Junior" is this so? reply | | Johan Runfeldt, e-mail, 27.05.2010 08:24 You can, the predecessor of the Safari, the MFI-9, is available in amateur built form as the MFI-9HB. The MFI-9 is just what you ask for, or rather the MFI-15 is a 6:5 scale version of the MFI-9. The MFI-9 became (in)famous as the Biafra Babies during the civil war in Nigeria 1968-70. reply | |
| | Lars Vikner, e-mail, 11.03.2010 13:19 Our SAAB Supporter / MFI 15 SE-XNP are now for sale.
You can get all info from me. reply |
| Quinquin, e-mail, 11.12.2009 15:48 I think one has interest to read every text in full. Filipo did mention before the U.S.homebuilt Cygnet SF-2A very popular in U.K.and R.O.W.
The first models were powered by a VW engine but a Rotax 90 HP or a Jabiru would be very nice.
That should be the answer to someone who dream about owning a smaller Safari like version. reply | | Ramiz, e-mail, 10.09.2009 18:51 There was a uni-pod made by FFV for the Saab Safari back in the late 70s. Anyone heard of it? Can someone tell me where I could locate the manufacturer or locate a user? Thanks. reply | | Sam Haqqi, e-mail, 10.03.2009 23:47 I would like to get factory drawings for this aircraft to make 1 /4 scale rc flying model of it. If anyone of you guys can help with drawings and close pictures i would appreciate your help.
Cheers,
Sam reply |
| haroon, e-mail, 26.01.2009 21:36 can anybody tell me WHY no 3 cylender is chosen as master cylender in IO 360 A1B6 engine? reply | | Filipo, e-mail, 30.11.2008 17:43 If anybody want to build a similar 2 place aircraft, think to the U.S.A Cygnet SF-2A.
This plane should be marvelous to fly pulled by a Jabiru 4 or six cylinder engine.
However I would substitute the geodetic wooden wings with metal wings. reply | | Derek White, e-mail, 25.10.2008 23:36 These are amazing to fly and very safe as are all the Björn Andreasson designs. I helped a friend buy some from the Zambian Airforce which are now restored (one with a 5-cyl Volvo diesel!)
My father in law bought (from Saab) all the rights, documentation (enough for certification), moulds, prototypes etc. of Björn Andreasson's last aircraft-- the BA14 ,a composite replacement for the MFI15 /17. It's all sitting in a warehouse in Sweden in case someone wants to buy everything and build them. I have some pictures and specs for anyone interested. reply |
| mwenya, e-mail, 09.07.2008 11:42 What do you do when throttle linkage disconnect whilst airborne reply | | Tony, e-mail, 27.05.2008 08:15 I am rebuilding a MFI15 serial number 004, originally from Sierra lione air force. Aircraft TT950 hours and no damage.
I am looking for a canopy and sun screen. Lift strut upper fairings and original set of seat belts, fuel tank sender units. Any help will be appreciated. I live in South Africa. reply |
| Stephen Sauger, e-mail, 20.05.2008 17:05 -Are there any photographs available? Am planning on building an R /C model of it. reply | |
| | Jan Sundin, e-mail, 11.05.2008 15:09 I have one of the latest MFI 15-200A build by SAAB. A friend of mine brought it back from Ethiopia and I with good help of a mechanic i Trollhattan rebuild it. It was then in Normal category. Now I have got it over to experimental which helps a lot when you have to intstall new gadgets. EASA for sure dont make thing easy. I have now flown my plane for nerly 2000 hours and I can assure you it is a very nice plane to fly. reply |
| ED, e-mail, 02.05.2008 22:33 I was involved in the NGT (next generation trainer) program in the 1980s while employed by Schweizer Aircraft. We were supplied with a Safari (SE-FIT) which we installed a six cylinder continental of 250 HP. With this engine it was the only aircraft to meet and exceed the performance specs desired by the Air Force. The specs were subsequently lowered because you can't have a competition with only one aircraft. The aircraft was wonderful to fly! Rate of climb was impressive, stalls were gentle, and aerobatics were great! Schweizer lost the competition due to politics. The NGT was awarded to Slingsby. All of those aircraft were later destroyed by the Air Force as being too dangerous to fly. This never would have happened with the Safari. I too would love to have one of these planes! reply |
| Arne Kallenberg, e-mail, 18.03.2008 20:53 I was involved building the aircraft in the mid.70"s, and
I worked as a forman on the front fuselage building / assembling rear fuselage. (Connected upside down).
I was involved in 25 aircraft to 6 or 7 diffrent countries.
It was SAAB Supporter 17 we made. I still have original blueprints in my wardrobe. Very strong aircraft.
Unfortunately there were not build so many planes.
It was a very highquality aircraft. Ther was no restriction
what you could perform in the air, eccept backing from a loop, they said.Sweden never bought the plane.
My reg. Arne. reply |
| Antoine Bussat, e-mail, 04.03.2008 09:54 Hello,
I'm very very interested by the Saab aircraft Safari MFI 15 / 200 and would like know if there is a club or a site where it could be possible to acquire one of those beautiful bird. Thank you so much for any help! reply | | Roger, e-mail, 21.02.2008 15:49 This airplane exist in a smaller version. Originally it was called MFI Junior, It was Malmo Flyg Industry that built it, later the german company Bolkow built it. It was a two seater, and smaller, but exactly the same concept. reply | | Michael, e-mail, 23.11.2007 05:00 Would love to see this aircraft in the US, either as a certified machine or as a kit. reply |
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Lin Light
Hi Lin, it would be amazing if you can share the plans of the MFI-9 so I, like Ulderico below, could complete our scale modeling projects. THis is a very rare bird with a long and fruitful history. THanks
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