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

Pilot Replica's 1/48 scale
Saab J29 Tunnan
Yellow F

by Roland Sachsenhofer

Saab J29 Tunnan

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

Description

Between 1960 and 62, a total of 30 J29F "Tunnan" were shipped to Austria from the Swedish Air Force. Before delivery, the aircraft were overhauled and provided with the Austrian national emblems. Nothing was changed in the exterior in natural metal, also the unit markings followed the Swedish design. The Austrian Air Force remained J29's only foreign customer.

The training of the flying personnel as well as the training of the ground personnel took place in Sweden. This program provided that the Austrians spent 5 to 10 hours on a two-seater SK28 vampire, followed by about 40 hours on the Tunnan.

In Austria, the J29, known in this country as the "Flying Ton", was used by the fighter bomber squadron. Originally based in Vienna-Schwechat, the Jabogeschwader was soon moved to Linz-Hörsching.

The deployment took place in two squadrons. The 1st squadron flew aircraft with yellow markings, the 2nd squadron was identifiable by the red markings. The 2nd Squadron found a new home in Graz-Thalerhof in 1968; however, the "Flying Tons" were decommissioned soon afterwards, in 1972.

From 1965/66 on the Austrian military aircraft, as can also be seen here on the "Yellow F", visual identifications in the form of broad bands in "Dayglow" were attached to the tips of the wings and tail units.

The main task of the Austrian J29 was air defence and the protection of neutral airspace. Air support and reconnaissance should also be covered with this pattern. A special feature of the Austrian air defence was the prohibition of the use of guided missiles, so that the Tunnan with the four internal 20mm Hispano m/47 cannons had to find its sufficiency.

The Saab J29F 29449 shown here served as "Yellow F" at the 1st squadron of the Jabogeschwader in Linz-Hörsching. Today this airplane can be seen as an exhibit in the aviation museum Zeltweg.

With the J29 Tunnan, Austria had decided on the first fighter aircraft with arrow wings to be built in series in post-war Europe. The Tunnan was comparable with the Mig-15 or the American F-86. Her ancestor line goes back to the Messerschmitt project P.1101 of the last war years, whereby the similarity does not only extend to the outer form.

With the acquisition and long-term use of the "Flying Tonne", neutral Austria had established a tradition of close economic cooperation with neutral Sweden, which was to be reflected in the acquisition of further aircraft types such as the Saab 105 or the Saab Draken.

I already wrote about this remarkable kit of the Swedish manufacturer Pilot Replicas in the article about the first J29. I may refer all interested people to it. However, I would like to reveal so much here: the shapes are appealing due to their creative layout and fitting accuracy, and with regard to the design of surface structures I would even like to speak of outstanding quality. This also applies to the decals, which can be used with confidence. The set of additional tanks that can be seen on this machine is not included in the kit, but comes from the same manufacturer.

Conclusion

As a conclusion I can only give a full recommendation for this great kit. It really gave me a lot of model building pleasure and a relatively fast and experienced project.

The only downer is that it is now considered difficult to obtain.

Thumbnail panels:

If you are interested in the building process, please have a look here on Scalemates: https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?

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

Back to HyperScale Main Page