Holden Thunderbolt - RAAF Viggen.

[nebnoswal]

Hopefully this is in the right spot.  I only started this yesterday, then found this GB later that evening.

To start with, an old Matchbox 1/72 SAAB 37 Viggen (no box) and the progress so far


The paintscheme


The inspiration - thanks to Socrchio http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,30352.135.html


The what-if.  The Viggen was one of the many contenders in the early 70's for the replacement of the RAAF Mirage III.  The Australian Tactical Fighter Force project (TFF) was looking for an aircraft to take the RAAF to the end of the 20th century.  In 1972 the list of aircraft being considered included, the Viggen, F-15, Northrop P.530 Cobra, Lockheed CL-200 (advanced F-104), Dassult Mirage F1, F-14 and the Tornado.  Some industry and Govt wheeling and dealing nearly saw Mirage F1 given the go ahead.  In 1973 some senior RAAF brass went on a study tour to look at the various contenders.  Their recommendation, to wait for some of current drawing board designs became reality.  Not in my world!  The Viggen won out and Australia's major car manufacturer, Holden, went into partnership with SAAB to produce the Aussie F/A-12 Thunderbolt.

[rickshaw]

Does it come as a flatpack, CKD kit which just needs an Allen key to assemble it? 

[Thorvic]

One to watch, its should look rather tasty in the Mirage style standard scheme, although i suppose some of the later RAAF mirage schemes in the greys would work just as well on the Viggen as they do on the Mirage. Thankfully its not in an Aussie version of the splinter scheme  .

Would be quite nice to see all the TFF contenders appear during this GB 

[NARSES2]

Yup it's in the right place, glad you found it 

[PR19_Kit]

Would that mean that Vauxhall could sell it in the UK too? 

[MilitaryAircraft101]

Would that mean that Vauxhall could sell it in the UK too? 

opel too!  Looking great nebnoswal! Strapping myself into the martin-baker for this one  

[rickshaw]

I hope he's listening to ABBA while he's building it...

I think the offset grey pointer scheme would look good on a Viggen.    The Swedish Splinter scheme couldn't work downunder.  Too GREEN!

[Thorvic]

I hope he's listening to ABBA while he's building it...

I think the offset grey pointer scheme would look good on a Viggen.    The Swedish Splinter scheme couldn't work downunder.  Too GREEN!

Thats why i said Aussie version, imagine it in the sand, black, white & green of current Aussie kit but using the splinter pattern !

[nebnoswal]

I hope he's listening to ABBA while he's building it...

I think the offset grey pointer scheme would look good on a Viggen.    The Swedish Splinter scheme couldn't work downunder.  Too GREEN!

Thats why i said Aussie version, imagine it in the sand, black, white & green of current Aussie kit but using the splinter pattern !

I had thought about AusCam splinter pattern, but a bit beyond my capabilities at present.  I did attempt a RAN Cam Viggen in one of my 1st ever entries on this site.  I did start working on a AusCam one, but can't seem to find at present.

[Old Wombat]

It's Rafales for the RAN, Ben!

Nice target. Nice start. Hope it comes together for you!

[nebnoswal]

A busy day at Holdens Fishermens Bend plant.  Lined-up waiting at the paintshop are 2 of the new RAAF F/A-12 Thunderbolts, the RAAF ARDU Draken and a RAN FAA Buccaneer.

[Old Wombat]

Oh, dear! I just noticed that the 'roo in the starboard roundel on the RAN Viggen is somewhat lost & turned-about! Oops!

[nebnoswal]

Oh, dear! I just noticed that the 'roo in the starboard roundel on the RAN Viggen is somewhat lost & turned-about! Oops!

Thanks, a rookie mistake, but it was my 1st ever what-if, I never went back to fix it.

[raafif]

surely you gotta do it in pale-green, black & sand-PINK splinter

[nebnoswal]

Went back to work this week, so production has run to a standstill.  Whilst cooking some lamb on the barbie for Australia day, I finally got to put the basecoats down