BastianD Posted December 27, 2024 Share Posted December 27, 2024 (edited) Now that my resurrection of the SR-71 Blackbird is proudly showing herself, it’s time to build the only plane that was able to lock-on the Blackbird: the Saab Viggen. The Viggen always was a special plane to me, showing a complete different design compared to US, Russian and European fighters. Next to the stunning splintered camo scheme! I will however build the air defense variant JA-37, simply because I like it in a way with its neat two-tone coloured scheme, with colourful squadron details. The Italeri kit comes with its reviews and flaws, as the sprues are based on previous kits from Esci and Airfix. Missing details, build and fit issues: it will all be part of my next challenge! But hey: that’s where there are other reviews and clues and aftermarket sets! Edited December 27, 2024 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted December 27, 2024 Author Share Posted December 27, 2024 Starting with the ejection seat… 🤦🏻 My god, what a shame of this simple thing missing any detail… Think I will look for a very nice detailed seat of CMK (last photo). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 Nice. I love connected builds. Can't wait what You'll achieve with this kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 Oh my, that old kit! Good luck! Good thing there are lots of aftermarket stuff for it :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peterburns Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 ESCI didn't care about things like accurate cockpits, seats or wheel wells. Replace those, and the kit won't be perfect, but it will be reasonably accurate. The good news is, it goes together well and looks like a Viggen. I used the kit decals, because it seemed ESCI got the blue/yellow of the national markings better than most aftermarket companies. At least better than the choices I had when I built it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 13 hours ago, peterburns said: ESCI didn't care about things like accurate cockpits, seats or wheel wells. Replace those, and the kit won't be perfect, but it will be reasonably accurate. Only for an AJ. The JA version has an extension the Esci/Airfix kit doesn't. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peterburns Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 11 hours ago, Niels said: Only for an AJ. The JA version has an extension the Esci/Airfix kit doesn't. Another thing ESCI didn't care about Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 14 hours ago, peterburns said: Another thing ESCI didn't care about But can be fixed seen some builds that have put a joint of 2mm in the fuselage to make it a larger JA body. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 On 1/1/2025 at 8:54 PM, peterburns said: ESCI didn't care about things like accurate cockpits, seats or wheel wells. Replace those, and the kit won't be perfect, but it will be reasonably accurate. The good news is, it goes together well and looks like a Viggen. I used the kit decals, because it seemed ESCI got the blue/yellow of the national markings better than most aftermarket companies. At least better than the choices I had when I built it. Thanks for this, good to know. indeed I am searching the right aftermarket pieces to upgrade the level of details of the kit. All I hope is that the basis goes well together, then the aftermarket pieces can make the difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Ordered already a few aftermarket parts to improve the build: -CMK ejection seat -Brass pitot tubes and AOA probe -Maestro JA-37 cockpit set -Maestro air duct and first front fan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Want to add the Two Mikes improved intakes as well, but need to find them somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Those intakes are oop since long. The kit intakes are easy to fix though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 19 hours ago, Aigore said: Those intakes are oop since long. The kit intakes are easy to fix though. Thanks for letting me know. How would you advise to modify them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 On 1/7/2025 at 9:35 PM, BastianD said: Thanks for letting me know. How would you advise to modify them? First cut off the guiding plug from the inside half. Then you need to cut a little notch in the lower intake lip, next to the splitterplate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 11 Author Share Posted January 11 On 1/10/2025 at 11:51 AM, Aigore said: First cut off the guiding plug from the inside half. Then you need to cut a little notch in the lower intake lip, next to the splitterplate. Thanks @Aigore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkin mad Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Watching along, hopefully to pick up some tips. I have had the Airfix kit in the stash for many years. I have no doubt you'll make an exceptional job of this, given the less than stellar base kit. ------------- Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 Just test fitting and comparing the aftermarket parts. What a difference does the ejection seat make compared to the kit’s version: much more detail and better overall look. Also the air duct with front fan seems to fit quite nicely, and will give a very much improved internal look after the intakes are being opened. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 This kit is really giving you every bit of challenge. The fuselage lacks every piece of guiding, pinpoints or whatsoever to perfectly fit and align both fuselage halves. The cockpit tub is as spartan as it can be, and needs high modification (thank hod I have the Maestro modification set), especially the floor and back part behind the seat. Fuel tank however is a good fit and I glued the fins and used putty to make the smooth fit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Test fitting the intakes… somebody took too much margin for the parts to fit… Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Opening up the fuselage after the intakes, it’s just plain plastic. After opening, the Maestro air duct gets a great view and gives a lot of detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 And the 2 ejection seat, where the resin from CMK is ready for primer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lgl007 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Great work so far... love this thread 🙂 Great subject too! -Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Love the work so far! Watching with interest Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 28 Author Share Posted January 28 Thanks guys Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 (edited) Working on the cockpit tub, and adding more details to the hood behind the ejection seat. It was flat, and some aftermarket resin sets showed far more detail. So I took my spare parts stash and looked for the right pieces to glue on. Also glued a plate in under the ejection seat, so it comes up to the right height in the cockpit. Edited February 1 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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