Not A "what If" But....

[upnorth]

Hello all:

These pics aren't the greatest (still figuring out close ups on my digital camera) but I'm really happy to share with you all my first completed model in about three years its also my first completed model since I arrived in the Czech Republic back in July 2004.

This is the Bilek reissue of the Italeri 1/72 Saab Gripen. The reissue came with a few little extras to make a proper Czech air force C version Gripen, as the kit itself is and early A version.

Its not "What if" and it won't stand as my best work ever, but I'm happy to have it done :







Its a bit too worn looking for the current state of the Czech Gripens (the Czechs take quite good care of their military gear) but I figure the real thing will catch up in appearances with my model eventually.

All comments welcome.

[Rafael]

And I'm really, really glad to see you're building again!!!

Congrats, Upnorth, this is the beginning of a chain of builds, I hope!!!

Adelante!!!

rafa

[cthulhu77]

Looks like a well used jet to me, and I really like the markings.

[lancer]

Nice looking Gripen Upnorth...

[upnorth]

Thanks for the good comments.

I'm hoping my next completion will be a Czech Saab 29 Tunnan. I've got a set of Czech Spitfire decals for the immediate post war era to go onto the old Heller Tunnan.

I'm working on the premise that Czechoslovakia and Poland didn't go Socialist and were actually developmental partners with Saab on the Tunnan.

I'm thinking of putting my Tunnan into some sort of prototypical Viggen splinter and saying the Swedes got the idea for it from the Czechs.

[nev]

Good job on finishing one!

May it be the first of many

[John Howling Mouse]

Great way to start the year off!  Looks good and your premise for the Czech-Swede-Polish collaboration is intriguing.  I'm a big fan of Swedish subjects so I'm looking forward to your next one, too.

^_^

[Brian da Basher]

Nice work, upnorth! Lets hope this is the first of many for 2007! I am intrigued by your Tunnan project and look forard to seeing it.

Bravo Zulu!

Brian da Basher

[anthonyp]

Duuuuude.... Sweet!  Gripen + Czech markings = (dare I say it, infringing on someone's catchphrase?  Yes, I think I will)  
Air Plane PORN!!!!

[upnorth]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Here's a couple of extra pics:

[Mossie]

Nice Grippen!  I've not been particularly prolific either & I'm hoping to strp things up this year.  Looking forward to the Tunnan, I've always liked the tubby little beer keg!