Bjorn Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 This year, Tarangus released their fourth kit, the Saab Safir, and for the first time we could build a model of this classic Swedish trainer in 1/48. I built mine as a four-seater from F 11 wing, about 1977. Maestro Models' forthcoming decals for those camouflaged Safirs are not released yet, so I had to find decals in my spare decals box. The model is small, but sometimes a bit tricky to build. The main problem is the canopy. The fit is pretty bad, and lots of sanding and mofdifications were necessary. The other problems are mostly due to poor instructions that leaves you with a few un-answered questions, especially the correct position of the nose gear wheel well (that first should be mounted to the cockpit part) and the engine (that first should be mounted to one of the body halves, the problem is to find an exact fit with the nose part). The fit of the wing is also a little difficult. But apart from this, this is a great little kit. The overall shapes are very good, the fit, except for what I have already mentioned, is good and the cockpit has lots of nice details. The panel lines are fine and crisp and decals (although I did not use them) are well printed. Don't forget to put lots of nose weight, otherwise this is a true tail sitter! I replaced the position lights with clear ones, added new pitot tubes and seatbelts, the rest is OOB. I used Gunze colours, and the day-glow panels were painted too. I considered using decals, but decided to paint them. A nice little kit that represents a classic Swedish aircraft. The factory designation was "Saab 91". "Saab 92" was a car... :-) 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 That is a lovely looking build, of an often overlooked subject. Top notch paintwork as well. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
politicni komisar Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Thanks for the impressions and threats I have one in the stash to make Finnish box decals. Waiting for someone to do PE parts for cockpit and some details Finland Verizon. Nice build and Markings option...Maybe in time I do another Swedish by Pk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonl Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Nice looking kit and very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snitok1983 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Very good! Wonderful finish! Very rere and interestung model! I do like this scheme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Thumbs up! And both big toes as well… An ace build. An aside: the SAAB Safir was designed by the same Swedish aero engineer, Anders Johan Andersson, who had earlier designed the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann, its aerobatics derivate Bü 133 Jungmeister and the Bü 181 Bestmann, having been bought over from SAAB by his friend Carl Clemens Bücker. In 1944, with the writing on the wall for the Reich, Andersson returned to Sweden from wartorn Germany and was again hired by SAAB, where his Safir not surprisingly had quite a bit in common with the Bü Bestmann. Beautiful work with the 1:48th version! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafju Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Very nice! very good job! small plane, yes it is...also some looking like a bf108 Taifun... Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 A great build of a gorgeous little aircraft. Cheers, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Thumbs up! And both big toes as well… An ace build. An aside: the SAAB Safir was designed by the same Swedish aero engineer, Anders Johan Andersson, who had earlier designed the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann, its aerobatics derivate Bü 133 Jungmeister and the Bü 181 Bestmann, having been bought over from SAAB by his friend Carl Clemens Bücker. In 1944, with the writing on the wall for the Reich, Andersson returned to Sweden from wartorn Germany and was again hired by SAAB, where his Safir not surprisingly had quite a bit in common with the Bü Bestmann. Beautiful work with the 1:48th version! Kind regards, Joachim Thanks for that info, it explains also the similar looking tailplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Great looking Saab, you solved the problems with the kit and turned it into a sharp looking result. Thumbs up, good work. Bernd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 Thanks for that info, it explains also the similar looking tailplane. In fact, the first version of Safir, 91A, had a different engine that made it even more similar to Bücker Bestmann, see http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/3/4/6/0592643.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 That's such as lovely build, especially in these colours. I can hear it flying past at low altitude as they often used to. Great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 very nice work and a eye pleasing subject! GREAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymfen Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Only too bad, that Tarangus forgot the dihedral of the wing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now