The Saab 29 — universally known as "Tunnan" ("The Barrel") for its rotund fuselage — was Sweden's second jet fighter and its first indigenously designed one. First flown in 1948, it became the first European production aircraft with swept wings, and remained in frontline service into the 1970s, including a notable stint with Swedish UN forces during the Congo Crisis of the early 1960s. 661 examples were built between 1950 and 1956.

This aircraft, individual number 29666, had a varied career. It served with F9 (Göta Wing) as Yellow N, then moved to F20 where it was recoded Blue H and converted from E to F standard. It later served with F4 (Jämtland Wing) as Yellow I, before returning to the Blue H code. Along the way its identification shifted from the old code-letter system to the Air Force's later numeric codes, 64 and then 69. It was withdrawn from service on 2 November 1967.

How the aircraft made its way to Söderhamn afterward is not documented.