Saab-105G In War Thunder : A Basic Review

Taking a fresh look at the Saab-105G. This was one of the first aircraft I ever reviewed in War Thunder, and we're checking it out in my modern video format to see how it does in the current meta.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro & History
02:22 Systems & Weapons
04:19 Flight Performance
06:12 Combat Tactics
08:24 Miscellaneous
09:26 Conclusions

[@wenferf8928]

The 105G was what got me through most of the early swedish jets just by doing bomb runs with the 4x 1000 lb bombs and then the two 500 lb ones then scurrying back to base to rearm with a A2A loadout.

[@AlvB218]

I did the same, bought talisman for it too. So worth it

[@ajtheflame9180]

Same. It’s the go to Swedish plane till the A32A (although it’s kinda ruined by A10s and SU-25s)

[@MausOfTheHouse]

I remember seeing your video about the SK-60B and the SAAB 105G when you had ~300 subscribers. I am very happy to see this channel grow so quickly.

[@Bemosto]

My grandfather was an engineer in the sk105 program. Such a beautiful aircraft. Got photos of my family’s farm house taken from the cockpit of one one:)

[@TimsVariety]

Epic!!!

[@SKGunslinger]

This is one of the most enjoyable planes in the game for me. As long as it keeps it’s air spawn, it’s almost guaranteed RP and SL.

[@wilmeroberg9794]

I have like 500 ground kills with the SAAB 105, helped me grind out half the Swedish tech tree and is easily one of the best CAS planes for its BR.

[@tyler-sq3ou]

Love the video Tim, one of my absolutely favorite planes in the game. One small correction, around 6:30 you mention that you cant take out a base in one pass, but with custom loadouts, if you take 4 1000lb bombs and then 2 500lb bombs on the third pylons you can take out a base. It just leaves you with zero Air to Air capability. Still adds some fun variety in playstyle though, you can load up with bombs, take out a base, then rtb and change loadouts for whatever is needed in the match.

[@g09h]

I was just considering playing the SAAB 105G and you upload this, perfect timing.

[@mey.tomhero4876]

Awesome. I love this aircraft. Glad you are rereview it with your newer format

[@owencc1554]

Another interesting and informative video. Thank you very much.

[@kalui96]

The clip at 4:20-5:20 is probably what Saab intended for it to do in an air battle. Otherwise, be used like a OV-10 Bronco

[@123zB3avisz123]

One of my favorites, now even more so since the custom load outs! One of these models has thrust-reversing, which can make for some pretty short landings and dogfight situations.

[@LarySeeAircraft]

YAY!!!!! HYPE HYPE I love this jet so much and to get another video on it is amazing !!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 (0:41 not yet, hopefully one day I will own one)

[@giovannigentili5730]

Until a few months ago I often played it to reach the Ace qualification, I find it an excellent dogfighter, with two pods it is a brick, with one strangely it is as if the game does not calculate it. For the Cas I prefer a pod, 3 x 750 and 2 x 500, with the ballistic computer it is very easy to take home even more than 5 kills. The brakes really suck, and you can't even experience a belly landing that both pilots die. Btw great review!

[@miklis203]

I still miss the intro music. Made me dance a few steps ^_^ Keep up the good work!

[@MageOtter27]

HOLY SHIT IM THE GUY YOU HIT WITH THE RB24 AT 5:38 NO WAY I WAS IN YOUR GAME HAHAHAH WHAT AN HONOR

[@TimsVariety]

o7

[@MageOtter27]

@@TimsVariety o7 my man

[@zanaduz2018]

The SK60B that precedes this plane has basically the same aerodynamic performance: the only major difference is the loadout options and the lack of ballistics computer. The 60B does get a unique weapon compared to its successor(s): the Rb05A MCLOS missile. Rb05A is equivalent to the AGM-12B Bullpup or AS.20 Nord, but has one otherwise hidden benefit: it also has a proximity fuse and so can be used for air-to-air purposes…

[@lithobreak3812]

The saab has more powerful engines aswell no? Although it sadly looses the thrust reversers

[@slayo710]

You make good reviews. I'll never grind for these cause I fly specifically America but it's fun to see your opinion on other countries stuff.

[@tomsmith7207]

An amazing plane and what a br!

[@Kr4zy]

The Swedish designate all their military aircraft in their own way, hence the Sk.60 designation. The Sk designation means it is a Trainer, transports use Tp (eg Hercules is not a C-130 in Sweden, it’s a Tp84.) The Austrian air force flew the Saab 105 as the 105Oe (Oe for Österreich). That said, thanks for the review, this one is has been on the wishlist for a while.

[@dusk_-5677]

So what does the 105”g” mean then?

[@lalad0]

My preferred loadouts after hundreds of game : 2 gun pods no matter what, + 2aam in air battles ; and 4 bombs : 2 big and 2 smaller in ground battles. The 30mm HE has crazy ammo filler, meaning that if you get the gist of it, you can easily get away with head ons since people won't see your incoming rounds and you often enough one shot. In ground battle tou can kill all AAs and light vehicles with the AP belts which is wonderful to get even more value out of your aircraft. And if I'm feeling like rockets, i usually take 1-2 well aimed rockets to kill anything, (HE or HEAT rocket choice is up to you but since you're at such a high br you might want to take heat ones).

[@ja37d-34]

I even rememebr that vid as I was playing it alot then.. :) Gridning. Used both to grind out ALOT of the tech tree. And still use them both for tasks.

[@adriancoric1721]

its really good in air rb for a couple of reasons. The airspawn gives you an advantage over other fighters and allows you to climb above them most of the time, it might have a slow turn but it doesnt bleed that much energy so I usually energy fight my opponents with it. The guns hit hard and the air to air missiles are always welcome. I usually try to bait planes below me and try to bleed their speed, if you manage to get them energy trapped (which isnt really that hard considering they will loose a lot of energy trying to pull into you and you not loosing that much speed) youll most likely get behind them if they dont manage to run away.

[@Sakki007]

I saw SK60B in gotland and it really really small for combats aircrafts

[@ajtheflame9180]

The best way to use this as CAS is with the 4x 1000lb bombs and the 2x 500s. I can get 6-8 kills reliably and counter CAS isn’t very popular at that BR so you only need to worry about SPAA which are easy to deal with using the 500lb bombs and toss bombing with the ballistics computer

[@s_ziel]

I'd like to address the "low TWR" and "not a good dogfighter" points. The TWR is good for a striker, it may not be as good as actual fighters, but it is enough. Besides, the plane starts to compress at about 675 kph, which is more than 200 kph lower than the top speed. Thus the plane gives off a bad turn vibe, when in reality it turns good, but at somewhat lower speeds. Some players instinctively try to fight at high speeds, then call it a brick when it doesn't turn as much as they want. I'd also say that doing a high yoyo is beneficial at high speeds, because your speed decreases, allowing you to turn better. I've once outturned a MiG-15 in this, I know that's not a good turner, but the 105 can definetely keep up with worse-turning planes. Fun fact: the engines are the same as on the F-5, why they reach higher temps on the 105 I can't say, but I can only assume that they are badly modeled.

[@swordsman1_messer]

I would like to point out under any circumstance, the SAAB/SK60 jets should always attempt a landing with gear down, as the minimal ground clearance often results in the crew being killed instantly on belly landing, even when you intentionally stall just prior. I don’t know if it’s because of some clipping issue with the crew colliding though the airframe, or if Gaijin intentionally made this so, but belly landing with a SAAB is J-ing out with extra steps.

[@linusyao2057]

The safest 105G in Ground RB is flying higher than 3km, and drop your Bombs first to clear the AAs, then do whatever you want.

[@Ok-vk1qv]

As of April 2024 they gave it tracers and it makes it 10x more viable

[@EnsignFuntimes]

Good this thing is SUCH a pain in the ass at low tier jets. I’ve always ended up going after them first I hate them so much

[@ODST_Parker]

This thing has been the bane of my existence flying out the B-57s in Air RB. In a plane with no countermeasures and very little defensive ability, having an attacker with an air spawn and missiles come up behind you no problem when you're just flying to bases, it's extremely frustrating. If they're on my team, they rush in, steal the bases, then die. I'm sure it's effective if used properly, but I've only known it from bad teammates and enemies as a braindead base bomber and a "fuck you" to me specifically.

[@TimsVariety]

I swear, half the playerbase is allergic to basic sportsmanship and teamwork. :-\

[@ODST_Parker]

@@TimsVariety Only half?

[@blaken3824]

You forgot to mention the limo TV antenna on top

[@skantilles75]

I really like to fly that plane. Awesome in mid tier against bombers and unaware jets.

[@NuubiTuubi1000]

I got so used to its thrust reverse that I keep landing fast and running off the end of the runway.

[@SilvioSaab]

The RB24 isn’t comparable to an aim 9B, it is an aim 9B

[@camilorodriguez5602]

The only line i end up skipping on sweden is the actually good line 😅 i light try this and the sk60 to grind tier VI and skip the awfull bricks that sit there

[@rt-eden8392]

Airbrakes are pretty effective? When I flew the thing they sometimes felt like they were not even there but maybe that's just me. Tho I have researched with then 105g until the aj37 cuz Sweden rank 6 is trash

[@rt-eden8392]

The air spawn Is the 105's lifesaver

[@jxsn8230]

Did this plane not get reverse thrust? Definitely helps with landing issue if it does

[@TimsVariety]

No, the SK-60 before it does though.

[@LibranSoldierofFortune]

I’ve used this a few times. A great CAS jet. But I’ve always gotten owned by migs and sabres lol

[@ulfhedtyrsson]

Baby SU25

[@FirstDagger]

Predates the Su-25 by a decade.

[@abakedpotato239]

I'm gonna be that one person "🤓 aCtUaLy" I'm joking I've actually been able to destroy a base in 1 pass if you try to aim for groups of buildings when bombing. I have a custom of the 4 1000's and 2 500's and it's possible. Just have to aim

[@pitzo5555]

I HATE versing this in grb

[@PrefixTK]

No mention of the reverse thrust feature for shortening landings :(

[@TimsVariety]

The Saab-105 doesnt have them, only the SK-60.

[@PrefixTK]

@@TimsVariety Oh, apologies. My mistake. I'm so used to flying the SK-60 I assumed it was on both.

[@Storlans]

Its too bad the Saab 105G has a insane repair bill and its alot more sluggish than it should be due to being heavyer than what it should be.

[@TimsVariety]

The recent economy fixes have brought the repair cost for this back down to realistic levels, which is why I didn't mention that in the conclusions.

[@rickdubbink]

This thing is so broken in ground RB