ADP015

Swedish Viggens

by Jan Jorgenson

AirDOC

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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Swedish Viggens is the most recent volume in AirDOC Publications Post World War Two Combat Aircaft Series.

This volume is authored by Jan Jorgenson, a Swedish aviation photo journalist who has produced a number of works covering Nordic Aviation. This book is his self-confessed tribute to the SAAB Viggen whose distinctive design provided the mainstay of Sweden’s air defences from the 1970s until the early 21st Century. Whilst not a detailed technical history of the type, this book provides a summary of the development of the aircraft from its genesis as aircraft system 37 in the late 1950s and early 1960s including the major sub-types that emerged, the AJ 37 Attack-Viggen, the SK 37 Skol-Viggen two seat trainer, SH/SF 37 Spanings-Viggen reconnaissance variants and finally the JA 37 Jakt-Viggen optimised as a interceptor. Finally the first chapter addresses the sub-variants that emerged during the service of the aircraft including the AJS 37 which aimed to bring the AJ SH and SF variants to a common standard as well as the SK 37E electronic warfare trainer.

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After covering the development history, Jorgenson provides a brief summary of each Flygvapnet Wing that operated the Viggen. The final two sections cover the operational use of the Viggen in all its role as well as comprehensive walk-around section of the JA 37 Jakt-Viggen, SK 37 E Stor-Viggen EW trainer and AJSF 37 Spanings-Viggen along with coverage of the cockpit, ejection seat and ordnance all of which are extremely useful for the modeller. Swedish Viggens is lavishly illustrated in full colour throughout and includes profiles and colour references for the original splinter and later gray schemes which are very useful for the modeller. As per previous AirDOC books the text is bi-lingual so both English and German speakers will be able to read it. I have always found the SAAB Viggen to be a fascinating reference and with the help of various aftermarket companies (notably Maestro Models, Two Mikes Resin and Neomega) I look forward to building a replica with an Airfix or Esci 1/48 kit using AirDOCs “Swedish Viggens” as a major reference.

Thanks to AirDOC Publications for the sample.

AirDOC Publications may be viewed and purchased online from their website

Review Copyright © 2009 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 7 July, 2009
Last updated 7 July, 2009

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