J35 Draken ‘Finnish Air Force’ (two kits)

[Paul A H]

J35 Draken ‘Finnish Air Force’ (two kits)

1:72 Hasegawa

The Saab Draken was the result of an ambitious Swedish Defence Ministry specification issued in 1949 which called for a supersonic interceptor that would be capable of climbing to 32,000 feet in 2.5 minutes, but which also had short take off and landing capabilities and could operate from public highways if needed. The far-sighted nature of this specification can be put in context by considering that the sound barrier had been broken for the first time just two years earlier.

The resulting aircraft, powered by a licence built Rolls Royce Avon turbojet, flew for the first time in 1955 and entered service in late 1959. By the time production was completed in 1974, 644 Drakens had rolled off the production line and the type was in service with the Austrian Air Force, the Royal Danish Air Force and the Finnish Air Force, as well as the Swedish Air Force. Although no Drakens now remain in front line military service, the National Test Pilot School in California, USA, operates 6 ex-Danish Air Force Drakens.

Hasegawa’s Draken has been around since the late 90s. In typical Hasegawa style, it has been re-released several times since then, each time with special marking options. It was also released by Revell not too long ago. This boxing is dedicated to the Draken in Finnish Air Force service. Inside the box are two complete kits and decal options for two aircraft, including the eye-catching scheme featured in the photograph used for the box artwork.

The kit is broken down into 63 parts spread across 4 sprues of pale grey plastic and one clear sprue. The relatively low part count would seem to indicate that this should be a relatively straightforward build - let’s take a look and see. Initial impressions are very favourable. The sprues look nice and clean, they are free from flash and overall it looks like a typical modern Hasegawa kit. Surface detail such as panel lines, fasteners and grilles are finely engraved and well defined, and the surface of the airframe is smooth and glossy.

As is often the case with Hasegawa’s 1:72 kits, the cockpit is a relatively sparse affair. The cockpit tub has side consoles and rudder pedals moulded in place, to which an instrument panel, control column and seat have to be added. There is nothing in the way of moulded detail to represent instruments and controls. Decals are provided instead. If you want to spruce up the cockpit, you’ll need to resort to scratch building or aftermarket. Fortunately there are a number of photo etch and resin products available.

Once the cockpit has been completed, the fuselage halves can be joined. Moulded in top and bottom halves, they also include the engine air intakes and inner wing sections. The frontal parts of the intakes themselves are moulded as separate, single pieces, thus avoiding the need to clean up any nasty seams. They are nice and sharp too, but as no intake trunking is provided, they should be blanked off with plastic card to avoid a see-through effect. A basic but reasonable jet pipe is included.

The landing gear bays are moulded in place. Whilst the main gear bays feature basic rib detail, neither the nose nor tail gear bays do. The landing gear itself is actually very nice, but there are some awkward ejector pin marks on the inner sides of the main gear wheels. Hasegawa tend to be a bit hit-and-miss with their ordnance. Unfortunately this kit falls into the latter camp, as just two drop tanks are included. Those wishing to arm their Drakens will have to raid the spares box for some good old Sidewinders. The canopy is thin and clear and is moulded in two parts, so it can be finished in the open position.

Two marking options are provided:

• J35S HävLLv 11 , Finnish Air Force. This is the aircraft featured on the box artwork, painted in the commemorative scheme worn for the Draken’s last flight in Finnish Air Force service in 2000; and

• J35FS, HävLLv 11, Finnish Air Force 1991. This aircraft is featured in regular two-tone camouflage scheme.

The decals are well printed and are nice and glossy, but are a little on the thick side. The whites appear to be slightly on the cream side too.

Conclusion

This has always been an excellent kit, and it remains the best 1:72 scale Draken by a country mile. It would have been nice if Hasegawa had included more than two decal options, but that’s a relatively minor quibble. I certainly can’t wait to build mine.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for