#3 DONE +++ Saab A 32A Lansen, '29' of Swedish Air Force's Försökscentralen

[Dizzyfugu]

After the challenging Valkyrie something more conservative: a Heller 1:72 Saab Lansen, and actually a project I had on the list for some time. Since the original kit/mould dates back to 1982, it's qualified to join the mayhem. This one will be built mostly OOB, with some additional details and probably underwing ordnance, and basically become something like this:




This Lansen illustration has been around for ages and pops up every now and then in literature and online - always without any further information. So far, I could never find any proof that this machine or even the paint scheme existed at all - if anybody has some evidence, please let me know. Looks like an experimental paint scheme, and camouflage experiments were actually carried out with the Lansen and eventually led to the green/blue scheme that was adopted for the Saab 32 and 35. This one looks rather looks like an early study for the "Fields & Meadows" scheme made famous by the Viggen, though?

AFAIK the illustration was created in the GDR by an artist with the family name "Römer", ages ago. Should make a nice model, though, and with all the media coverage this machine should also have high credibility.

[Amphion]

[JMN mode ON] The placement of the roundel and the "FC", which replaces the squadron number, is correct, as is the placement of the call sign "29". But the roundel is drawn incorrectly (the yellow border is to thick and the three crowns are positioned incorrectly), the "FC" is to big (should be about the size of the squadron crest) and the call sign is the wrong font (something similar has been used in the past but not on the Lansen, and not on any other aircraft in service just preceding the Lansen).

The paint scheme doesn't look like anything I ever seen in service. That being said it's not impossible that a test was carried out with this scheme, just not probable. [JMN mode OFF] 

[Dizzyfugu]

That's the plan. I assume that the profile was drawn in the late Sixties or early Seventies, and not based on direct observations or reports (probbaly drawn behind the Iron Curtain). I doubt that this was/is anywhere real - but who knows? After all, there were Drakens with "Fields & Meadows" livery, even though as instructional pieces. Obscure, but they existed, and based upon the various schemes that were tested in the early Sixties for the green/blue scheme, the path to the "Fields & Meadows" scheme could have taken a detour via this scheme...?

If things run well, "my" rendition of this aircraft will carry proper markings and codes. Better than the initial fake... 

[Snowtrooper]

IIRC Flygvapnet briefly tested a multitude camo schemes, including "localized variations" of USAF SEA camo, before settling on the "Fields & Meadows" scheme. Might go have a look in the sourcebooks if I can find the quote...

[Dizzyfugu]

That would be cool, even though a pic would be even better...

BTW: construction has started, and I must say that the Saab 32 is - despite its size (it's HUGE!) - one of the most elegant aircraft I have come across. Very sleek and clean, an underrated aircraft.

[PR19_Kit]

BTW: construction has started, and I must say that the Saab 32 is - despite its size (it's HUGE!) - one of the most elegant aircraft I have come across. Very sleek and clean, an underrated aircraft.

Exactly! I always used to think that a Lansen was '......around Hunter size...' until I saw one on the ground at Linkoping parked right alongside an RAF Hunter T7.

It made the Hunter look like a toy, and it's so tall as well! 

[Rheged]

The first Lansen I saw for real was taxiing out of a wood onto the main Stockholm to Vasteras road in summer 1967. The traffic was stopped whilst it took off.  I remember thinking that it was a BIG aircraft to be operating off a length of Swedish main road.

[PR19_Kit]

The traffic was stopped whilst it took off. 

I should ruddy well hope so too! 

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, here's some progress on the kit, after the Sd.Kfz 234/6 is done. Here's an early stage, then a look at the wings where I will lower the flaps (easily done with the kit, just needs some struts to hold the flaps at maximum extension) and the cockpit tub.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

More progress. A ton of lead is hidden in the nose, on top of the attack aircraft's gun tray section.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Inside of the fuselage, I added air intake walls (made from simple styrene strips). The intake ducts are pretty short, and I am not certain whether the inside will be visible later or not - so this is a safety measure.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Wings have been mated with the fuselage. Overall fit is so-so. even though the wing/fuselage intersection fits perfectly. Anyway, esp. the fuselage seams need some serious PSR.
Beyond that, the flaps can be installed under the wings - A little fiddly and wobbly, but it works, and it's a nice addition to the otherwise very clean (and thus a bit boring) airframe. Ordnance will be added, too.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

Even more progress: Work on the ordnance has started. Since the Heller kit comes bare, I decided to add some typical weapons in the form of twelve heavy unguided missiles - actually, these are HVARs from Airfix/Heller's A-1 Skyraider, but they are relatively fat so that they simulate well a bigger caliber. As a consequence, a dozen pylons have to be scratched, too... And I add a thirteenth one under the fuselage instead of the typical conformal tank, it will later hold a small camera pod, for some weapon trials documentation.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Both flaps now in place:

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


...and a look into the cockpit. The picture shows the utterly thick canopy - it's very clear and even carries a wiper, but almsot massive! O.K., there are aftermarket vacu alternatives, but I did not want to invest moer money and wait for the parts; I think that it will be O.K. with some paint, though. Also a nice detail: the extra windscreen for the WSO, also an OOB part.

1:72 Saab A 32A ,,Lansen", aircraft ,29' of the Swedish Air Force Försökscentralen during camouflage trials; Malmslätt, Sweden, 1970 (Whif/Heller kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

That's got to be one of the thickest mainstream canopy mouldings I've ever seen! 

I've never even taken a look at my Lansen that close, perhaps it's a good thing!

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, there's a thicker one: the canopy of Emhar's FB-4J even thicker. 

The most wondrous thing about the Lansen's piece is that it is absolutely clear - no blur at all, so the material's thickness came as a real surprise!

[zenrat]

The canopy on the Pioneer 2 Yak 15 is so thick it's almost a solid block of clear styrene.

[PR19_Kit]

The canopy on the Pioneer 2 Yak 15 is so thick it's almost a solid block of clear styrene.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that one. I think the two I used on my zwilling Yak 15 were solid!

And I have an Emhar FJ-4 too, just never opened the box.