SH72497 AJ-37 Viggen ‘Show Must Go On’ 1/72

Saab 37 Viggen was an aircraft well ahead of its time. Its designers used an unconventional aerodynamic layout that allowed the aircraft to meet all requirements of the Swedish Air Force and even surpass them in some parameters. The basic airframe served as a universal platform from which several specialized variants were developed for different operational roles.

The aircraft was powered by the Volvo RM8 turbofan engine, a licence-built version of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D, equipped with an afterburner and a thrust reverser. Together with the distinctive double-delta wing design, this allowed the Viggen to achieve excellent take-off and landing performance on short airstrips. For easier handling on makeshift airfields and during towing, the vertical fin could be folded.

At the time of its introduction, the Viggen’s avionics were among the most advanced in the world, and the aircraft became the first operational combat aircraft equipped with avionics using integrated circuits.

The first version introduced into service was the ground attack AJ 37. Later versions followed, including the two-seat trainer SK 37, the reconnaissance SF 37 with cameras in the modified nose section, and the anti-shipping SH 37. About ten years after the first Viggens entered service, the second generation appeared in the form of the JA 37 fighter.

One of the AJS 37 Viggen aircraft received a striking anniversary paint scheme — an overall red aircraft decorated with numerous white ghost figures and named “Show Must Go On”. This highly attractive aircraft is represented in this model kit.

Kit features

• highly detailed aircraft model
• attractive anniversary colour scheme
• wide range of separately available detail sets, figures and painting masks