Kit Review

AIRFIX 1:72 SAAB AJ 37 VIGGEN

Reviewer: Simon Skinner (contact via SMAKR webmaster)
Kit Review submitted: 1 April 2009

Kit Details:

Airfix #03015 - 1/72 Saab Viggen

Aircraft History:

The Saab Viggen ("Thunderbolt") first flew in early 1967 and is now some four decades old, produced as a multi role strike fighter with the ability to take off and land on short runway strips (STOL capability). The Viggen has been used in a variety of roles from interceptor to attack, and was produced as a general replacement for both the Saab 35 Draaken and Saab 32 Lansen in Swedish service. Initially designed as a two-seat aircraft a unique computer system was designed by Saab to effectively replace the back seat navigator and provide the Viggen with exceptional manoeuvrability capability, particularly due to its front canard and large delta wing configuration. Overall the Viggen is an exceptional aircraft and more than 300 were brought into Swedish Air Force service.

The Kit:

Like the aircraft, this kit has been around for a few decades! Both Heller and Airfix have produced their own molds so I am not sure which this kit originates from, as it was in a Heller/Humbrol kit during the early 1990's. Inside the box are 64 grey parts on a collection of disjointed small sprues and two clear parts for the canopy. Raised panel lines provide okay surface detail typical of the era this kit was designed from with just a small amount of flash on some of the smaller parts.

Instructions:

Loose sheets of A4 sized photocopy paper make up the instructions and decal/marking guide. Assembly is provided in 7 exploded diagrams with the usual fanfare of brief aircraft history, symbol information and general modelling advice. The painting information is sparse and only quotes Humbrol numbers which is usual for Airfix, and decal/marking is provided on a separate sheet of paper.

Construction:

A pilot figure is thrust into a generic looking ejection seat which itself is pinned to the fuselage sides. Don't hope for any more detail because you get none! I think Falcon produced an aftermarket resin cockpit set for this kit, and possibly Pavla with etched, but not having access to either, I spent a great deal of time rummaging through my spares and finding replacements to suit. Use of masking tape and stretched sprue did wonders just to give the cockpit a bit of life. Lack of painting information on the instructions had me choosing a medium grey for the cockpit interior.

Join the fuselage halves and trap in the rear exhaust can without too many issues, although a good selection of clamps and pegs will be needed to keep some of the fuselage from prizing apart, perhaps warped due to age and storage. The join lines need cleaning up afterward which means losing some of the raised detail.

The wings are the troublesome area, again probably due to warpage. Installing them onto the fuselage was not easy and several sweeps with the hobby knife was needed to trim the belly mating section down so it would fit. The wings weren't installed quite level, and so there was a large gap on one side, requiring filler.

The canards go on with less of an issue, but again, the fit is not the best and a jig was needed to ensure they dried correctly. You can have these turned like air brakes to depict ground static display if you want. The air brakes themselves are awful, again they don't fit very well, and are better to depict open - lest you want to add yet more filler and sanding to your repertoire.

The two part canopy is better closed than open, as there is no proper fit or parts to enable the latter. The closed canopy fit is not too bad, but careful test fitting reveals more gap issues. The simplistic undercarriage goes on with little fanfare. Large anti Ship Saab missiles, interdiction missiles and large drop tanks can be attached to the underwing section but I left them off - the prototype aircraft are unlikely to be seen carrying underwing stores too much.

Colour Schemes:

I was a little surprised that the only options this kit allows for are the first two prototypes, painted in an overall natural metal or the light grey colour found on earlier Viggens. My understanding however is that both prototypes were the same natural metal finish overall so might be worthwhile to dig into your references. I ignored the options in the instructions and went for the later patchwork look of Viggen camouflage using two-tone green and tan.

Decals:

Typical Airfix they were easy to apply although had some bleed through and white edging affects and there were only a few decals provided.

Accuracy:

I've heard comments previously that this kit represents more of the AJ-37 Viggen in dimensions than it does for the earlier prototypes, particularly for the span. I'm not an expert on the Viggen but it looks okay to me. An old buddy of mine built the Hasegawa kit and I compared it, and there is clearly a difference in level of detail with the Hasegawa kit looking more sharper and realistic. Again, not sure if the Airfix kit is actually Airfix or Heller.

Conclusions:

While the kit had its vices and was a little problematic to fit in areas, overall it isn't too bad. It goes together reasonably well and just needs the old saying of "having a few kits under your belt" to build. I'd rather have the AJ-37 and that's what I painted my kit up as, than either of the prototypes in the kit. I'd recommend the Hasegawa kit over this one any day.

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