general melchett Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) Hi there, wanted a quick build to relieve the tedium of sanding , filling ,sanding , filling , ad nauseum, resin kits which whilst rewarding is also time and labour intensive ( ie boring ).I searched through my ever increasing stash and found the Aifix/ESCI SAAB JA-37 Jaktviggen lurking with intent. I have always been in awe of this powerful monster and like many of you was filled with anticipation when Airfix announced a 1/48th version , especially after the Lightning only to be let down by the fact that it was the highly inaccurate ancient ESCI offering , which I built many years ago! Reading through the forums here I soon found out I had my work cut out again, so much for a quick build !!!!! Anyway on Saturday I started with the gorgeous Neomega pit and got this far (I know the instrument panel needs updating but it was going to be an AJ). Also ordered bits from Rebell Hobby in Stockholm which should add to an increasingly complex build .Next step will be the afterburner section (chuck the kit parts in the bin!, donor will be big F 4D) and the ceremonial breaking out of the chainsaw to cut the fuselage into little bits and put back together as something that looks like a JA-37. Before anyone tells me how much work is involved please humour me ...remember I am certified insane Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh :banghead: Here's so far, seat and bits in place Showing the AJ-37 panel which will need updating for JA-37 The wheels are also way oversize so I used some Equipage rubber and resin ones for a much more realistic appearance, excuse' hairy' tyres not smoothed down yet , lots more detail to go on U/C leg ! On the left we have the kit part , not only oversize but hub detail completely wrong. Thanks for looking, should be finished before England win the next world cup Andy Edited July 28, 2008 by general melchett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Good work on the pit and seat General...the handle on the seat (ejection pull?) looks really strange! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 A very promising start old bean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerausfb Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Nice start, the seat looks very nice. Just casting around in the cess-pool of my memory, does that handle not go into a stowed position between the headrest? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 Hi Andy you could be right there certainly looks like it should! , really don't know, all I can say is that all the aircraft I have seen up close, (a lot!) have it like this , sticking out as it were !! Thanks , Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerausfb Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Hi Andy, just ignore me I don't know either! I was trying to recall something when I sat in one many years ago. I had a vague thought that the handle is jointed where it meets the seat and folds backwards in-between the two green cushions. I'm obviously smoking too much Viagra again. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 No probs , I'm obviously smoking too much Viagra again Is that what you do with it , so that's why my cigs never burnt down .................. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchet Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Nice start, the seat looks very nice. Just casting around in the cess-pool of my memory, does that handle not go into a stowed position between the headrest?Andy Hi Andy you could be right there certainly looks like it should! , really don't know, all I can say is that all the aircraft I have seen up close, (a lot!) have it like this , sticking out as it were !!Thanks , Andy Hi Andy, just ignore me I don't know either! I was trying to recall something when I sat in one many years ago. I had a vague thought that the handle is jointed where it meets the seat and folds backwards in-between the two green cushions. I'm obviously smoking too much Viagra again.Andy That's the arming-lever for the seat. Clever thing, you can't sit in it properly without it being armed! Same basic idea on the Draken, but the lever is in an even more uncomfortable position (no, not there, dirty sods, it's sticking right out into the neck when safed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Thanks Martin , Typical Swedish innovation ...according to several sites the seat, a Raketstol fpl 37 was bench tested at Holloman AFB and proved to be one of the best if not the best seat ever tested !! which must have given Viggen pilots a huge boost in confidence at the high speeds and low levels they were flying Due to several interesting developments in the pipeline I am going to hold off on this build for a while , Should be a real corker if everything goes to plan Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Nice cockpit Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Thanks Mish , appreciated.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Well General, we sure hope to see that one back in the pipeline soon. I what what developments of which you speak?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Don't be so impertinent to ask, young Michael... it might be a sensitive subject! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Don't be so impertinent to ask, young Michael... it might be a sensitive subject! I am sure I can figure it out!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Don't be so impertinent to ask, young Michael... it might be a sensitive subject! rolleyes.gif A b s o l u t e l y............... ................. if we told you we would have to kill you.......................probably Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 A b s o l u t e l y............... ................. if we told you we would have to kill you.......................probably Well killing the guy who will be involded in such black ops may not be the best idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 aaaaaaah !!..........your point is well made and your reasoning is sound................................R E T R E A T !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Andy you were quite correct !! The handle can be stowed between head rest, here's proof. Don't know if it's in this position for any particular reason or wether this is how it's been displayed !! Just spent the day crawling all over Newarks AJ for reference stuff and although there are many differences between it and the JA most airframe issues are the same (though JA is 13 cms longer coz of uprated RM8B engine rear stage). Got lots of shots so now to start cutting the plastic Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 So Andy.......care to share those piccies of yours?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerausfb Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Andy, I can only guess that handle out means the seat is safe. I've been trying to contact a friend in Swedenshire, as I think his Dad used to work on these, to get some more info but unfortunately he's MIA at the moment. I also found a few snaps of the last Viggen I saw, Alconbury 1992 or '93, super aircraft. Andy Edit: Nope I'm wrong, I just saw a video of one taxiing with the handle out. Seek and ye shall find the answer. So I will. Edited July 30, 2008 by Tigerausfb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchet Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 This picture shows it with the handle stowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchet Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Also, from The Ejection Site: The handle next to the headrest is the seat safing handle. Fired by either of the arm rest handles, the seat deploys nets from behind the seat backrest via lanyards to the front edge of the seat sides (at the silver colored tabs). Leg restraints hold the lower limbs in place. This seat was tested at the USAF sled test facility at Holloman AFB to 700KEAS which is one of the highest ratings of any service seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Thanks chaps, Mike, here's a few shots I took today of the AJ at Newark , they kindly let me crawl all over it !! . I'll post more later , sorry they are a bit low quality , I had to use the cheapo camera !! Cheers Martin that's the site I use for all my info too !!! See if I can dig up some of the pics of JA's I took at Uppsala Andy Edited July 30, 2008 by general melchett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousER99 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 right clicky save!! right clicky save!! Spectacular!! I know these will go to good use!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Cheers Mike , here's another , better quality , shows the smooth underside and distinct lack of ' beerbelly' (as MikeW would have it ). Andy By the way note the rake of the canopy framing ! and general angle of the front windscreen section........the kit gets this all wrong.. Edited July 30, 2008 by general melchett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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