Reviewed by Andrew Steinbeck

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

K7218 SAAB JA37 Viggen resin cockpit (for use with the 1/72 scale Heller kit). Pictured at top of page.

Comprising three pieces crisply cast in pale cream resin, this set offers the modeller a highly detailed cockpit specific to the JA37 fighter version of the Viggen family. It consists of an ejection seat, cockpit tub and combined instrument panel/instrument coaming.  Each of the pieces shows considerable detail; the seat for instance, comes complete with moulded harness and seat cushion, frame and headrest detail. The cockpit tub’s rear bulkhead and side consoles are also very well rendered and a pedestal for the kit’s control column is provided.  Finally, the instrument panel and coaming are offered as a combined item and the panel reflects the features of the JA version, which differed somewhat from the earlier attack and reconnaissance versions. All three parts are direct replacements for the kit items, although the kit’s instrument coaming will need to be cut away.

This is a straightforward resin upgrade for the 1/72 JA37 Viggen and will require little modelling skill to achieve a substantially improved cockpit and enhanced model.

K7219 SAAB 37 Viggen upgrade (for use with the 1/72 scale Heller kit).

Maestro Models’ next resin set is also for the Viggen and offers generic upgrade parts suitable for any one of the many SAAB 37 variants. It consists of a pair of engine intakes, a pair of fuselage pylons and a quartet of AIM-9 Sidewinder rails cleanly cast in cream resin.

The intakes are a substantial improvement on the kit items. Where each of the Heller intakes is moulded in two parts (with the resultant seams to be dealt with after assembly), the Maestro part is cast as a hollow one-piece direct replacement and requires minimal cleanup to provide a truly convincing inlet. Furthermore, Maestro has captured the finesse and shape of the intakes’ splitter plates and included the small notch on the bottom edge of the intake, which I believe exists on the real thing to improve flow of air to the engine at high angles of attack.

The fuselage pylons provided with this set are a much-need addition to the Heller kit, which did not include them. The modeller will need to consult reference photos in order to determine correct placement and orientation of each pylon, as there is no indication on the casting block or in the instructions as to which pylon goes on which side.

The four Sidewinder rails are also a welcome addition for the modeller seeking to depict their Viggen with a typical configuration of stores. Again there are no directions as such as to where to place them, but a quick search of published Viggen photos shows that these rails may be carried on the fuselage and the outboard wing pylons.

P7206 SAAB AJ37 Viggen Photo etched detail set for the 1/72 Scale Heller kit.
P7207 SAAB Sk37 Viggen Photo etched detail set for the 1/72 Scale Heller kit.
P7208 SAAB JA37 Viggen Photo etched detail set for the 1/72 Scale Heller kit.
P7209 SAAB Sk37E Viggen Photo etched detail set for the 1/72 Scale Heller kit.

These sets each consist of two beautifully photo etched metal frets for the Heller Viggen kit and have been produced for Maestro Models by Eduard of the Czech Republic.  The uncoloured etched sheet (labelled as ‘Viggen part 2’) of 36 pieces is common to all Viggen versions and covers external parts such as scissors links for the nose and main undercarriage and other gear enhancements, airbrakes and their fuselage recesses, formation light panels and rear fuselage detail.

The prepainted sheet in each set is specific to the version offered and comprises a varying number of parts. For the single seat variants (AJ- and JA37) the modeller is provided with 14 pieces and there are 20-odd parts for the two seaters (Sk37 and Sk37E). It is primarily designed to enhance the basic cockpit and ejection seat detail provided in the kit.

Each set includes a specific instruction sheet which clearly illustrates where the parts are to be applied. There is very little folding required and the modeller does not need a high level of experience with etched metal to be able to assemble this set.

These sets will greatly enhance the detail of the Heller Viggen kit and look great when complete.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

This is another batch of excellent products from Maestro models which require a small amount of skill but with care will reward the modeller with a huge leap in detail over that provided in the kit.

Thanks to Maestro Models for the review sample

Maestro Models accessories are available from RebellHobby website

Text Copyright © 2010 by Andrew Steinbeck
Images Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 9 February, 2010
Last updated 9 February, 2010

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page