Bertil Dillner (12 May 1923 in Lit Jämtland, Sweden – 9 May 2015 in Linköping) was a Swedish aeronautical engineer[1] and aerodynamic expert. He was significant in the development of delta wing aerodynamics and supersonic flight concepts. Dillner served for many years as manager of Boeing engineering design offices.

Bertil Dillner
Bertil Dillner. Photo about 1995.
Born12 May 1923
DiedMay 9, 2015(2015-05-09) (aged 91)
NationalitySwedish
CitizenshipSweden, United States
EducationMaster of Science in Aeronautical Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden 1949
OccupationAircraft design / Manager Aircraft design offices
Known forExpert Delta wing Aerodynamics
Saab 35 Draken
Saab 37 Viggen
Boeing 2707 SST
Space Shuttle
SpouseBrita Dillner
ChildrenEva Dillner
Anders Dillner
Saab 37 Viggen
Space Shuttle in atmospheric flight has taken ground and the brake parachute has fallen out

Biography edit

FFA edit

After graduation 1949, as Master of Science Civil engineer in Aeronautics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden he worked at the FFA, the Swedish National Aeronautical Research Institute.

Saab edit

From 1954 to 1967 at Saab AB,[2] he participated in the aerodynamic core of the projects for Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen,[3] both cutting-edge technology during the Cold War and the Nuclear arms race. He worked under Erik Bratt and Tore Gullstrand, in the Saab design team with Hermann Behrbohm, Olof Ljungström and Einar Bergström.

In the shadow of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race the client, the Swedish Air Force's desire in the 1950s to the 1970s (the Defence Act of 1958) was to be able to swiftly attack strategic nuclear weapons-bombers such as Tupolev Tu-16 before they reached their targets. This with really fast supersonic-delta wing-fighter aircraft such as Saab 35 Draken, where speed and preparedness were the key factors. The Swedish Air Force's need were also landing operation-defenses over the surrounding seas with attack aircraft as well as ultra-fast reconnaissance aircraft planes such as the Saab 37 Viggen. Economy and materials engineering for friction heat of the atmosphere set the limit for speed. This generated large orders to build a very large air force and resources for development.

Dillner and Hermann Behrbohm made significant efforts in the design of Saab 37 Viggen, and in particular the design and tests of the canard-wing construction.[4]

Boeing edit

From 1967 to 1981, Dillner was employed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, US[5] to work with the supersonic Boeing 2707 SST passenger jet 1967–1972.

At Boeing he also become involved with the aerodynamics of the extreme supersonic aviation at the re-entry of Space Shuttle 1971-1972 and Boeing Preliminary Design Group and ex QSRA transporter studies.

Dillner was aerodynamic chief engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplanes 1972–1981. He also became an American citizen while in Seattle.

From 1981 to 1988, Dillner was employed by Boeing Defense, Space & Security in Seattle as aerodynamic chief engineer 1981-1985 and chief engineer 1985-1988 until his retirement. After retirement, he made some consulting assignments were made for Aermacchi and Saab 2000.

Compound life edit

He was active in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and co-founder of their Aerodynamic Committee.

Bertil Dillner chaired the Swedish Club North West between 1996 and 1997 and returned to Linköping and Sweden in 2005.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Graduation work jobb KTH: Examination of wing profiles for model aircraft at low Reynolds number
  2. ^ Bertil Dillner CV and employment certificate Saab
  3. ^ Östersundsposten 1967- 04-07 Article about Viggen and local son Bertil Dillner
  4. ^ "Flyghistorisk revy, 0345-3413, System 37 Viggen, Artikel av Erik Bratt"
  5. ^ Östgöta Correspondent Article about Bertil Dillner, former Saab flight designer after 11 years at Boeing Seattle USA
  6. ^ "Swedish club news june 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.