1/72 SAAB GRIPEN SWEDISH AF 6003

Saab's JAS 39 Gripen is a light, single-engined, supersonic, multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company. The Gripen features a delta wing and canard configuration, and fly-by-wire flight controls.

In 1979, the Swedish government began development studies for an aircraft to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force. A new design from Saab was selected and developed as the JAS 39. Saab rolled out the first Gripen in 26th April 1987, marking the company's 50th anniversary and, on 9th December 1988, the first prototype (39101) made its maiden flight.

The Swedish Air Force ordered Gripens in three batches and the first serial production aircraft (39102) was handed over during a ceremony at Linkoping on 8th June 1993. Later upgraded variants, featuring more advanced avionics, a more powerful engine, increased weapons payload capability, new cockpit, new avionics architecture, new electronic warfare system and adaptations for longer mission times, began entering service in 2003 and are fully NATO inter-operable. In addition to the aircraft's single 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon, the Gripen is compatible with a number of different armaments, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles and anti-ship missiles.

AV7243010 depicts the very latest 'E' variant of the popular Gripen. First flying in 2017, the fully-tested versions were ready to be delivered to the Swedish Air Force in late 2021. The airframe modelled here replicates 6003, a well-known aircraft on the modern airshow circuit.

The models come complete with a very sturdy metal display stand, which slots very neatly over the rear of the canard wings. Once mounted, the model can be swivelled from side to side to allow for a variety of display angles. It also features a nicely-detailed cockpit, complete with a pilot figure. A selection of ordnance is supplied, for optional fitment, and the detailed undercarriage is fixed in deployed mode. The single-seater Gripen really looks the part and is wonderfully finished. The paintwork features a suitable level of sheen and the markings are all perfectly applied.