Pilot Replica's 1/48 scale Saab J29 Tunnan by Roland Sachsenhofer

Pilot Replica's 1/48 scale
Saab J29 Tunnan

by Roland Sachsenhofer

Saab J29 Tunnan

Hobby Boss' 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop is available online from Squadron

Introduction

I would like to open the report with a small biographical note: The Saab J29 is one of the first jets that I consciously perceived as a child in the late 1960s. Against this nostalgic background, I was particularly motivated when the Swedish manufacturer "Pilot Replicas" announced a "Flying Tonne" in 1:48. A short time later this motivation was also reflected in the purchase of three kits, which I wanted to build as a triplet at the same time.

In the following I present the first finished model of this small series: the Saab J29F 29559 "Red E" of the 2nd season of the Jabogeschwader is a machine with a very special and not undramatic fate. But before I talk about it, I would like to say a few words about the remarkable model kit.

Pilot Replica's 1/48 J29 Tunnan In the Box

Pilot Replica provides a pleasant change from the usual fare when opening the box. The bulky fuselage is formed by five large and several small components instead of the usual two half shells. The usefulness of the layout points to the designer's model building experience.

All parts inspire with a fine surface structure of best quality. Since the outer skin of a "Tunnan" really isn't flat, it wouldn't have been possible to achieve a very convincing appearance with a few recessed panel lines. Here, however, overlapping, recessed and raised structures complement each other to create a credible reproduction of the quite rustic surface of this first generation jet.

Construction, Painting and Decals

The assembly follows in thoughtful and meaningful steps, through which one is led with the building instructions printed on high-quality plastic without frills.

All in all one can speak of a quick and unproblematic building pleasure.

However, this straightforwardness also includes the aspect that the interior of the cockpit and the landing gear wells do not appear to be overly detailed.

The J29 in the colours of the Austrian Air Force is of course a playground for the representation of "NMF" surfaces. Here again I used my favourite metal colors from Alclad: in several layers and with a lot of masking I tried to get close to the lively metal dress of the "Flying Ton".

The decals also deserve the highest praise: even the large Austrian emblems could be processed without problems and, willingly accepting the chemical assistance of softeners and fixers, nestled easily into the depressions and soft contours of the "barrel".

Conclusion

Since some models this J29 is again an airplane model, which I built completely "out of the box". Even the seat belts come from the kit. All in all a carefree package of the upper class! The ladder you can see on some pictures is from the Maestro Models offer.

As mentioned above, I chose a machine for my first J29 that had come to a dramatic end. "Red Echo" had left the course on 20 October 64 during a training flight from its Linz Hörsching base due to a faulty radio compass. It was piloted by flight instructor Alfred Erdler, who was in association with "Yellow F", controlled by flight student Johann Kemetinger. The two had finally gotten so lost that Erdler had to order an emergency landing due to lack of fuel.

The two planes came to the ground near the village of Orech west of Prague on an arable land. With unbelievable luck both pilots survived the emergency landing, which was carried out with the landing gear extended. But the two J29s had to be written off: they had both overturned and were ready for scrap.

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As you could already see, I am very impressed by this model kit - and this by no means only refers to the interesting model. Unfortunately the kit isn't easy to get anymore, nevertheless I recommend it to everybody who is interested in the model or in a varied and motivating building pleasure!

If you are interested in the building process, please have a look here on Scalemates: https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=10148&p=albums&album=47887

As ever, remarks will be appreciated: ro.sachsenhofer@gmx.at

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