The Saab began construction of the B 17 (bomber) in 1937 and a total of 322 B 17 and S 17 (reconnaisance) were ordered by the Flygvapnet. The Flygvapenmuseum's Saab 17B was used both as a dive bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. It was delivered in 1942 and decommissioned six years later, after which it was transferred to the aviation history collection at Malmen. This collection later formed the basis of the modern Flygvapenmuseum.