Viggen FGR.1A...

[Archibald]

Zen here? here's another solution for the RAF!
After the F-4K failure (structural failure, followed by a crash; in every case, performances were badly degraded), the TSR-2, P.1154, and Jaguar cancellations, the RAF was really in the merde. Fortunately, the Harrier, Hawk and Tornado were coming, but there was still a lack of tactical fighters to replace Lightnings and Hunters.
That's why in 1971 BAC took contact with SAAB to adapt the mighty Viggen to the RAF requirements. This was a good deal for the Swedish constructor, avoiding political problems.
Needless to say, the Viggen was quite modified. As there was no need for the STRIL-60 in UK, the undarcarriage was much simplified, thrust reverser were deleted. More, an improved Spey engine replaced the Volvo RM8.
The RAF finally bought 290 Viggen FGR.1, FGR.1A and T.2.
They entered service in 1973, just in time for the deal of the century competition.
GB backing helped SAAB to triumph (beating the F1 and F16 in the process). No less than 352 SAAB Eurofighters  were sold to four countries...

Of course, when in August 1990 the RAF launched operation granby, all Viggen variants were presents along Tornados and Harriers. (including, of course, the FGR.1 variant showed here)
^_^
But once again, (as with the F-111K), lack of time meant that the roundels had to wait

Here's the result

[Radish]

I like the Viggen....I've a couple of Airfix (ESCI) 1/48th ones to whiff...at least one'll be RAF....but the other?
How about USAF?
RCAF?
or Luftwaffe??  

[ysi_maniac]

I like Viggens  

Very nice model.

[elmayerle]

Actually, I'd leave the RM8 since it's derived from a commercial engine (JT8D), just like the Spey, and is more powerful.  At most, I'd drop the thrust reverser and add a more efficient exhaust nozzle.  Further evolution could incorporate engine product improvements made to successive dash numbers of the commerical JT8D, especially the JT8D-200 series.

[John Howling Mouse]

A pink Viggen?  What's next?  Where are Leigh and Lana when pink stuff starts showing up?

 

[Archibald]

Thanks everyone!
Here's the plane with the decals added (this morning)
JHM, I plan a pink Vulcan to close my Granby serie . Stay tunned...

[lancer]

Nice looking Viggen there Archie.  

[Zen]

Very nice Archie!

Viggen has always been an interesting 'what if' type for the RN, with a landing speed of around 120kts its certainly plausable.

Looks like a recce Viggen?

[Archibald]

Yes, it's a recce one. The good kit made by Heller...(the nosecone of the fighter version went to a Mirage G8).

I don't understand Heller sometimes...In the box there's enough canopies, dorsal spines, nosecones and tails to make three differents variants (two-seat, recon, interceptor). That's perfect! But why the hell the notice only detail the interceptor variant?

Sadly, as you know by 1971 British carriers were rare...but a CVA-01 full of naval Viggen would have been cool! Or Viggens escorting Buccaneers...!

[Zen]

How curious about the Heller kit?

Considering its weight and landing speed I'd say a Viggen should be able to operate off of Victorious and Hermes, though not many would actualy fit in their hangers, even with a wingfold. Changes would include as others have suggested, removal the thrust reverser (far too dangerous to use on a carrier), folding wings and perhaps some blow over the trailing edge of the wing or maybe the canard.

Something that certainly should have been considered, along with this for the RAF, replacing the Lightning and instead of the Jaguar. But the RN insisted on a twin engined machine.....

Hmm.....that provokes a thought! A twin engined Viggen! Say use the RB153 type engines......would entail a different rear fusilage....

I wonder could this have flown from the MN's carriers too?

[Brian da Basher]

I love it in that desert pink, Archie!

Great stuff!

Brian da Basher

[Archibald]

I think that the limit for the Aeronavale carriers was 15 tons MTOW because of the catapults (only 50 meters long, for 75m on the CDG and 90m on the Nimitz)
I think a naval Viggen would have been  perfectly able to land on the Foch and Clemenceau.
It is not bigger than a Rafale, but this one could only been catapulted in light A2A configurations.

[anthonyp]

Someone mention Naval Viggens?

I've got an idea for a wild weasel Viggen using the recce front end and the training cockpit layout.

Nice Viggen, btw.  I just don't like pink planes, though.  Paint it up in good ol' boring grey, and ya got a winner  B)

   

[Archibald]

Painting it grey ? NEVER! too boring
nice naval viggen, I've saw it before. (As I have nothing to do those days I browsed this part of the forum from the beginning. Sadly, the  older threads have lost their pictures... and why Thorvic "left" this forum? Damned impressive models he made!!! )
Second Viggen, first whatif Viggen. Someone is interested by a nice set of Swedish decals in 1/72 scale?  

[Zen]

My understanding, from a photocopy of mine of a old Janes Warships is that the Clemeceau class Cv's used Mitchel Brown BS.mkV catapults, able to launch a 21ton aircraft to 120kts. Am I misinformed?

If not I would suggest that the Viggen is in the right weight category with enough thrust to leave the deck  of a MN carrier with more than just Air-to-air weaponry.
21tons (imperial) is 47,040lb (2,240lb per ton) and 120kts is roughly 222kmph.