Challenging all what mojo is by giving this project it's own thread. Some of you may have seen the start of it, in my >>blog<<, but for you who haven't, it's another reworked old build that's been sitting in a cardboard box for some twenty years or more. Thirtyfive in this case, at least.

The start kit is this:



The kit design actually is as old as the aircraft itself, originating back in 1957 according to Scalemates. I bought one when I was about nine, and it was my first Swedish jet fighter, having built mainly props before that. I remember it being a reasonably simple build (as one can assume from the limited no of parts) but also that I really liked playing with the model. I looked fast and agile, much like the real J35F's flying from the nearby F13 Wing.
Eventually, the model got left behind in a car on a hot summers day, and sadly, the resulting shapeshift was far beyond repair. I replaced it with Airfix Drakens, but I never really liked the flattened shape of the Airfix canopy and quite a few years later, when coming across another Revell kit, I bought another one to build just for nostalgia. And that is where I left off.

Anyway - The kit is the only mainstream plastic Draken in 1/72 that is featuring the early short exhaust and old fin type of the early J35A, and recently, I came across someone selling one. The same chap also sold a Heller Draken kit, and that, in turn, is the only mainstream kit of a two seater, even if it's the Danish longtail TF-35 variant and not the Swedish Sk35C. However, one could maybe combine the two, so I bought them reasonably cheaply, actually, and then put them to one side in order to not interfere with current projects, among them a number of Swedish SAABs but also the almost complete Danish trio.

As if..

Mulling about the possibility to build another early J35 version, I dug out the old built Revell Draken, and had a look. Initially, I have to admit, I thought that the easiest way would probably be to just steal the fin to add to a better kit, then somehow modifying any leftover canopy and create a J35B as almost every piece of the old Revell kit seemed wrong. But having a second look, I thought to myself - why not give it a go?
It's all but impossible to find any pictures of built Revell kits, probably because they're so awful, by I've manage to find this, very very well built one



Comparing to a photo of the real thing..



..if looking carefully, one might see the following most glaring discrepancies:

• the wing tips are wrong, being too long and too "even"
• the exhaust cone is too long (but too short and all wrong for the later Drakens)
• the ridge antenna is wrong
• the nose/radome is much too long and outright awful!
• the intakes are too thin in cross-section
• the canopy is too short behind the pilot

However, having reshaped the wingtips, pried off the tail cone, to shorten it significantly from the joint side, just to then reattach and file the joint into shape, replaced the antenna with a plasticard one made from a Hasegawa template and finally replaced the entire nose with an old Heller Mirage III nose scavenged from the parts bin, PSR'ed into place, its suddenly not looking that bad anymore, is it?

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Admittedly, I've given the model a rather thorough PSR while at it, and in addition to that, it's gotten a pylon and a 1200 litre fuel tank, like the ones carried by the JAS39 Gripen. In reality, the Swedish Drakens only ever flew with the standard 530 litre one, but I'm just not that keen to go all RW, am I? And the Danes used these tanks (SAAB actually bought back old Danish tanks for the first Gripens), and you can never get enough fuel into a fighter jet!
There's still a few things to sort, such as the overhang on the tail where the brake chute is stowed, the afterburner cooling intakes (barely visible on the photo above) and a small intake on the far side of the ridge, behind the cockpit. Also, there's the PN-50 navigation system antenna just behind the nosewheel, the pitots and some other smallish bits and bobs, not to mention weapon pylons and loadout, but the general shape is unexpectedly there, and I'm more pleased that I'd imagined when getting to it a few days ago. Happy chappy! 

And, as I'm sure our dear Mr Rheged would agree - a model without a backstory is only half built. So here goes a draft:

The long life of the early J35A Drakens
Already within a year after the first flight of the SAAB 29 Tunnan in 1948, the next generation of jet fighter was being put into development. While the Tunnan certainly was a major leap ahead in comparison to the Vampires they were to replace, the Royal Swedish Air Force was sorely aware that much more challenging opponents were in the curtains.
The target for the engineering team at SAAB was an entirely new aircraft, forming the airborne part of a new, semiautomatic combat control system, the STRIL60, that was to be able to defeat fast, high flying opponents in all weathers and at all times during the day and year. To reach these targets, the new fighter would have to be solidly supersonic and equipped with a radar to, regardless of weather or lighting conditions, be able to independently complete the intercept once vectored into the general vicinity of the opponent. On top of this, the emerging threats from the new cold war meant that the new aircraft would have to be independent of big air bases, rather optimised to disperse and operate from remote road bases and small airfields for an extended period of time. To make this even remotely possible from a Swedish financial perspective, the aircraft would have to be relatively small, manned by a single aircrew and also be maintainable by a relatively small team of conscript technicians, lead by a single professional technical officers or NCO's.

The design team, lead by aeronautical engineer Erik Bratt, started from research by the German engineer Alexander Lippisch on delta wings, and from 1951, one of Lippisch's students, Hermann Behrbohm, was attached to the project team. In 1955, the first prototype of the new SAAB 35 took to the air and in 1959, the first serially produced aircraft rolled out of the SAAB factory in Linköping. Within a year, the first squadron at the F13 Wing in nearby Norrköping was converting from the J29A Tunnan to the new J35A Draken. Tactical testing and development commenced at F13, but soon it was found that performance was severely restricted above 13 000 m. The reason was some lack of thrust from the existing RM6B/EBK65 combination (a slightly improved RR Avon Mk48A paired with a locally designed afterburner) and lead to the development of a new, longer afterburner, causing an extension of the tailcone and necessitating the characteristic spur wheel installation of the later Drakens.

During 1960-1961, 90 J35A's were built, and this new afterburner, the EBK 66, was introduced in production from serial no 35066, giving significantly more thrust and less supersonic drag, in particular at high altitudes. The first 65 airframes weren't rebuilt, however, and officially, these two physically different variants were designated J35A1 and J35A2, but in service, they were referred to as J35 "short" and "long", respectively.
Of these, serial no's 35008-35040 were delivered without radar as the planned, domestically developed radar wasn't ready. Instead they featured the same reflection gunsight as the J29 Tunnan. From 35041, however, a somewhat simpler radar than originally specified was installed, bought from Thomson CSF in France. This was basically a somewhat glorified gun ranging radar, but it could also be used to assist in targeting the IR missile in worse weather, but not to search for targets independently.
As the STRIL communications link also wasn't ready in time, all J35A's would lack the voiceless command link, instead having to rely on verbal communication via radio from the combat control centers, dug deep in the Swedish bedrock.

In the meantime, missile development was ongoing and a prototype missile, the Rb321, was tested from groundbased launchers. The progress was however not quite as desired, so eventually, an offer from the US for AIM-9B Sidewinders was received and accepted, leading to the termination of the Rb321 development before any air launches were made. However, integration of the AIM-9B would come first during 1963, so in the meantime, the two fixed Aden cannons was the only armament available.
The only store to be carried in the meantime was a single 530 litre drop tank on a centerline pylon. Once the Sidewinders were available, however, either two of them could be carried, one under each outer wing in combination with the drop tank, or two more missiles could replace the tank on an inverted Y pylon on the centerline. Also, six pairs of 13,5 cm Bofors attack rockets could be fitted on rails under the outer wings, giving a rudimentary if effective strike capability.

25 early short and radarless Drakens were taken back by SAAB already during 1961 for modification to unarmed two seater trainers. This was an afterthought by the RSwAF. The old and experienced test pilots at SAAB had deemed the flight characteristics of the new fighter good enough for "any reasonably trained fighter pilot" to handle solo, but the Air Force soon found that to be somewhat optimistic in practice. The unarmed twoseater was dubbed Sk35C (the "B" denomination already being occupied by the properly radar equipped follow-on to the "A" already in progress) and designed to easily be reconfigured back into a J35A armed fighter, should the need arise. 
In 1963, following the missile integration, some radar installations where such was missing, and some other minor upgrades, all remaining J35A's were reassigned from F13 to F16, in Uppsala north of Stockholm, as F13 were taking on newbuilt J35B's. The J35A's would remain at F16, together with the Sk35C-equipped OCU, until replaced in 1977 by the final newbuild Draken version, the J35F. By then, they had gained a small forward looking IR camera under the nose that integrated into the sight, created a reasonable night fighter capability. When phased out, most of the remaining A's were put in storage.

During the 1960's and 1970's, the European peace movement had been heavily infiltrated by KGB and the Soviet support had activated several European left extremist terror groups, such as the Rote Armee Fraktion in West Germany and the Brigata Rossi in Italy. Also, regular spy activities were high and in several countries bordering the Baltic, Soviet incursions were made by small submersibles, possibly landing and recovering agents and sabotage teams. Following the end of the Vietnam war in 1975 and then the fall of the Shah in Iran and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the Soviets, apparently encouraged by their successes, went on an offensive across the board. Large, aggresive Warsaw pact exercises were held, at least yearly, and in the early 1980's, these tended to include practice large air assaults across the Baltic sea, targeting not only the NATO countries, but also Sweden.
These events in combination with the generally more unruly situation between the superpowers led to Sweden reconsidering the military cutbacks decided during the 1970's, instead rapidly rearming itself. As a consequence, several air force fighter wings were reestablished, and older aircraft were taken out of storage to fill out the new squadrons, including the 23 remaining short tailed J35A's. On reactivation, these aircraft were upgraded with the improved radar of the J35F and sights, thereby not only finally getting fully integrated in the combat control system, but also gaining the capability for collision course intercepts with the Rb27/28 SARH/IR Falcon missiles in addition to Sidewinders. Also, they gained the Hughes IRST unit from the J35F2, as these had proven very well working, in particular against low flying targets. However, these older Drakens still only had three hardpoints, of which one usually was occupied by a new larger drop tank, now containing 1200 litres and borrowed from the Danish SAAB 35XD design. Also, like their J35F sisters, they lost the port cannon to make room for the new missile control electronics.

The short A's went back to their former home in Uppsala, joining the technically very similar Sk35C's at the J35 OCU and forming the 161st fighter sqn, F16 Wing, flying alongside the J35F's of the 162nd and 163rd sqns. Having reached operational status, they were assigned to the low altitude air defence of the greater Stockholm area, and in wartime, they would have been accompanied by the Sk35C's, who got a similar system upgrade and would have formed the 164th sqn in time of war. The remaining long J35A's joined the after upgrading very similar J35B's at F18 Wing, south of Stockholm.

A few years later, when it became apparent that the JAS39 development was running very late indeed, a larger upgrade programme for the Drakens was rolled out. This retrofit was primarily intended for the J35D/F models, creating the J35J interceptor and included significantly better radars and electronics but also some extra fuel capacity by making the outer wing pylons wet. Also, an extra hardpoint for an AIM-4 missile was added under each air intake, increasing the possible missile armament by one third, or allowing for significantly better time on station when carrying four drop tanks while still fielding missiles. While not extending the full rebuild to the old J35A's and B's, these extra missile stations were carried over also to the older Drakens still in service, finally providing a credible second attack capability.
However, as the first Gripens finally entered service in the late 1990's, these the least capable and now forty-year-old Drakens were the first to go, being replaced initially by slightly younger J35J sisters inherited from sqns converting to the JAS39, and later by new Gripens, as they became available.

How about a small canard "moustache"just behind each intake, preferably retractable? This was studied by SAAB as Mod 4 but was never implemented outside Whiffland. Can post a period drawing, if you like.

Quote from: Pellson on October 04, 2024, 08:22:01 AMAnd, as I'm sure our dear Mr Rheged would agree - a model without a backstory is only half built.

I agree completely!  And when the backstory is of  of this high standard, the model itself becomes even more interesting.

Quote from: steelpillow on October 04, 2024, 09:28:37 AMHow about a small canard "moustache"just behind each intake, preferably retractable? This was studied by SAAB as Mod 4 but was never implemented outside Whiffland. Can post a period drawing, if you like.

The Mod 4 was a "JA35" fighterbomber project designed as a stopgap option should the JAS39 Gripen be extremely delayed. It was designed from the basis of a rebuilt J35F, and that's not something I'd like to even try to build from this kit. To build a Mod 4, you're better off beginning with the lovely Hasegawa kit. And then, it could come out something like this:

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I made this a few years ago with wings from the also awful Revell Gripen prototype kit. Not entirely as per the SAAB design sketch (I do have that and also a few others) but nice enough. It has been sitting around since then, waiting for a pitot and some loadout. Maybe now is the time?

Elegant! Yes, the Revell Draken is ..dubious, to say the least. I also converted one a while ago into a fighter-bomber/attack variant, esp. the tail area is far off. I like your wing shape(s)! 

That one looks good ! Especially in those colours. And thanks for the insight into the aeroplane and her kit forms !

Cheers

Quote from: Pellson on October 04, 2024, 11:11:47 AMMaybe now is the time?

Yes, oh yes!

I was thinking of something a bit more what-if, as in what if they retrofitted a moustache to a late J35. But this will do very nicely indeed.

And the backstory. There are a lot of us backstory fanatics around, you know...

Now is definitely the time, as you're on a Draken kick at present - or the Drakens form a part of your current enthusiasm kick...

'Carpe Jugulum', as someone once said.

Quote from: Rick Lowe on October 04, 2024, 12:58:42 PM'Carpe Jugulum', as someone once said.

Is that something I should be discussing with the lovely mrs P? 

Quote from: steelpillow on October 04, 2024, 12:51:02 PMI was thinking of something a bit more what-if, as in what if they retrofitted a moustache to a late J35. But this will do very nicely indeed.

Have a careful look at the Mod 4 and you'll see the moustaches in their retracted position 

Yeah,well.. maybe a backstory for the Mod 4 would be fun, but then I'd better give it a thread of its own. I shall mull on this.

Quote from: Pellson on October 04, 2024, 01:38:30 PM

Quote from: Rick Lowe on October 04, 2024, 12:58:42 PM'Carpe Jugulum', as someone once said.

Is that something I should be discussing with the lovely mrs P? 

That's something for between you and her... 'Not my Department'.

Edited the backstory a tad to create a more logical unit assignment.  Also contemplating to allow for some missile upgrades during the latter service years to improve on efficacy against low flying targets, but I think I'll have to try a missile on first to see if it works aesthetically.  One wouldn't want to disturb the very pleasing lines of this beauty.

Other than missile pylons, I actually now have completed the physical build, adding scoops, antennae and even the two pitots. As a first for me (yes, I'm a late adopter) I've used cut steel needles, and it worked out better than anticipated, probably due to careful measuring and predrilling of attachment holes. Fiddly, but worth it 

Pics will follow.

Quote from: Pellson on October 04, 2024, 08:05:09 AM..if looking carefully, one might see the following most glaring discrepancies:

• the wing tips are wrong, being too long and too "even"
• the exhaust cone is too long (but too short and all wrong for the later Drakens)
• the ridge antenna is wrong
• the nose/radome is much too long and outright awful!
• the intakes are too thin in cross-section
• the canopy is too short behind the pilot

But apart from that it's PERFECT!       

Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 04, 2024, 03:43:43 PM

Quote from: Pellson on October 04, 2024, 08:05:09 AM..if looking carefully, one might see the following most glaring discrepancies:

• the wing tips are wrong, being too long and too "even"
• the exhaust cone is too long (but too short and all wrong for the later Drakens)
• the ridge antenna is wrong
• the nose/radome is much too long and outright awful!
• the intakes are too thin in cross-section
• the canopy is too short behind the pilot

But apart from that it's PERFECT!       

The build, modifying so little from the original plastic, is amazingly good given the starting point. I don't know who built it, though. The picture is borrowed from the webz.

Right now, I'm annoyingly tempted to buy another of these old scrap heaps in order to try to build a J35A long or J35B (differed only in electronics). That or shelling out for a Sk35C conversion kit for the Heller or a Hasegawa in order to build the long A/B from my latest purchase. Hmmm...