Oscia, Sachs Sa. 28 "Uhu" (Owl)
The Sachs Sa. 28, known as the “Uhu”, was an Oscian transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by Sachs Flugzeugwerke, the Sa. 28 was the first transonic Oscian jet fighter to see service, and was the first Oscian jet fighter able to compete with Provinskian designs, such as the Ko-14, in a dogfight.
Development of the Sa. 28 began as early as 1945, when the newly formed Oscian Air Force sent out a request for an aircraft to replace it’s earlier jet fighters, notably the Bosch Bo. 57, which had proven to be a poor aircraft. The first prototype aircraft, the sole Sa. 27X, first flew in 1946 but was unable to reach the performance required to meet the Oscian Air Force requirements. After a redesign, the improved Sa. 28X was rolled out in late 1947 and incorporated a few notable features, including a swept wing. Using a J47 turbojet engine, the aircraft was able to attain speeds in excess of 600 mph in level flight, and easily met the required specifications. An initial order for 250 such aircraft, now designated Sa. 28A-1, was placed in early 1948 with the first deliveries taking place in 1949.
When the 1st Peninsular War kicked off in 1950, the first operational squadron (32nd Fighter Interceptor Wing) was sent to the front. Showing great promise and easily out-performing other Oscian aircraft in-theatre, another three Squadrons were rushed into combat by late 1950. It became apparent that even though it could out-perform other Oscian aircraft, it still struggled against the opposing Ko-14s and the first two squadrons of Sa. 28A-3s with an all-moving tailplane were sent to the front, arriving in late 1952. The A-3s showed much improved handling and soon racked up kills.
During the 1st Peninsular War, the Oscian Aircraft requested a modified variant of the Sa. 28A-4 with a pair of 20mm cannons replacing it’s four .50 caliber machine guns. Designated the Sa. 28B, it entered service too late to see service in the war. Also ordered was an up-engined model using the new J73 afterburning turbojet, designated the Sa. 28C-1. Entering service in 1954, it was capable of speeds in excess of 700 mph in level flight, with some pilots reporting supersonic performance in a dive. The Sa. 28C replaced the A and B models in service, with 300 in service by 1956. Over half of the 300 Sa. 28Cs in service were the C-2 model, with a full radar suite for night and poor-weather combat. Due to the introduction of the Sachs Sa. 50 in 1954, the Oscian Air Force now had true supersonic capability, and by 1959 most Sa. 28 models were relegated to rear line duty. The Sa. 28C was in combat service with the Oscian Air Force Reserve until 1971, and some aircraft would survive into the early 1980s as target drones.
Another variant, the Sa. 28D-1, was conceived in 1953 following the 1st Peninsular War. The Oscian Air Force, pleased with the performance of the Sa. 28A, requested a modified variant with strengthened wings to accommodate additional underwing stores for Fighter-Bomber missions. 15 D-1 models were produced, seeing limited post-conflict service. All were retired by 1960.
Sa. 28A-1
Sa. 28 Variants
Production Variants
Sa. 28X
First three prototypes, flying between 1947 and 1951 in testing roles.
Sa. 28A-1 and A-2
First production variants
Sa. 28A-3 and A-4
Second production variants, all moving tailplane and additional improvements
Sa. 28B
Modified A-3/A-4 with 2x20mm Cannons
Sa. 28C-1
Improved Sa. 28 with J73 Afterburning Turbojet
Sa. 28C-2
Sa. 28C-1 with nose radar
Sa. 28D
15 Prototypes procured with strengthened wings and additional underwing hardpoints.
Sa. 28E
Export only model based on the Sa. 28A-1, with a smaller engine and different fittings including a 37mm cannon.
Sa. 28Aus.
Two-seat transonic trainer variation of the Sa. 28C.
Sa. 28Auf.
Single seat reconnaissance conversion of the Sa. 28C, equipped with radar warning receivers, a drogue chute, and powerful antenna array for radio eavesdropping.
Schemes in Oscian Use
Selection of Foreign Use Schemes
Production Numbers
Sa. 28X - 3
Sa. 28A-1 and A-2 - 257 (46 for export, 211 for Oscia)
Sa. 28A-3 and A-4 - 752 (119 for export, 633 for Oscia)
Sa. 28B - 13 (10 Exported after testing, 3 retained for further evaluation until 1957)
Sa. 28C-1 - 544 (105 exported in 1964 after Oscian use)
Sa. 28C-2 - 391 (All Oscian, operated until 1971)
Sa. 28D-1 - 15 (12 exported after testing, 3 retained and scrapped in 1959)
Sa. 28E - 627 (Exported to various nations. 25 retained as aggressors into the 1980s)
Sa. 28Aus - 25 (Operated solely by Oscia from 1954-1959)
Sa. 28Auf - 5 (All Oscian, operated from 1957-1971)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy!