DESCRIPTION

SAAB AJ-37 Viggen ‘Show Must Go On’

Unpainted kit set

The Saab 37 Viggen was an aircraft ahead of its time. Its designers used an unorthodox construction which enabled the plane to meet all requirements laid om it and in some parameters even surpass these. The Swedish Air Force placed order for several versions of the Viggen, its basic design formed an universal platform which, using specialised equipment, enabled the plane to be used for various roles. The aircraft was powered by a Volvo RM8 turbofan, licence-built varian of the Pratt and Whitney JT8D with added afterburner and thrust-reverser unit, which in additio to the double-delta wing design enhanced the aircraft's performance on take offs and landings on short airstrips. For better handling with the Viggen on makeshift airfields, while towing them to their hangars or even to conceal them easily, the fin could be folded. At the time, the avionics used in the Viggen was among the best in the world and the VIggen was also the very first aircraft with avionics equipped with integrated circuits. At first, the Swedish military received the AJ 37 version, gradually followed by the SK 37 two seat trainer, SF 37 – reconnaissance aircraft with cameras in the modified nose section, the SH 37 anti-shipping version with different avionics and able to carry air-to-sea armament. About ten years after the first Viggens had entered the service, the second generation airframes followed in the form of the JA 37 fighter. The first of Viggens to serve in the ground attack role was the AJ 37 Viggen, later modified to the AJS 37 Viggen. One of these was painted in red overall anniversary scheme, plenty of white spook figures and was named “Show Must Go On”. This highly attractive plane is now depicted in the latest Viggen release.