Pellsons Perceivings

[NARSES2]

Having waited most of today for someone to deliver some data, I'm realising that I will most likely have to invent something on my own, as the process for which I need said data will be ancient by the time I get what I need. If I ever get at all.

Ah, memories 

[Rheged]

Having waited most of today for someone to deliver some data, I'm realising that I will most likely have to invent something on my own, as the process for which I need said data will be ancient by the time I get what I need. If I ever get at all.

Ah, memories 

Isn't it lovely, Chris, hearing this sort of thing and thinking...............Ah, yes, I remember that sort of problem whilst I was still at work; before I retired!

Seriously, my compliments and commiserations to our Swedish gentlemen, having to put up with such problems.

[Pellson]

Sunday. We slept in properly, ignoring breakfast, going directly for brunch. And a good call that was, really putting an end to most of the work stress that's been so prevalent throughout most of the autumn.

Having planned to get on with young mr P Jr's Mustang, he was kidnapped away by a mate, so I might try to use the momentum to get on with some of my own projects instead. It's been a while now without any movement, and that's mojo-disturbing in itself. As if the world situation wasn't enough..

Well - it's Christmas season (yes, it is!), at least one of the two Defenders is fully operational, and I just need to clear the desk to get going. Just.. 

[kitbasher]

 

[Rick Lowe]

'Just'... such a small word with an inordinate amount of associated work that goes along with it...  

[NARSES2]

'Just'... such a small word with an inordinate amount of associated work that goes along with it...  

Oh so true 

[Pellson]

Friday! How did that week go so fast!? Last weekend seems just a minute ago..

Anyway - a calmer week, and I've actually been able to collect myself to such a degree that I've managed to get a little work done on models. a dab of paint or two on the two Danes that's been sitting on the desk for far too long, and also some initial work on a refurbishment of an old Heller SAAB A32A Lansen, built by my dad some 40 years ago. Target is, as I might have mentioned here earlier, a RNoAF bird, the general backstory being something in line with the idea of Norway getting Lansens as allweather substitutes for the more fairweather F-100 fighterbombers the Danes got in the early 60's. The weather up in the dark arctic might well have motivated an aircraft with a 2^nd crewmember and a groundmapping radar. Otherwise, the two types are reasonably similar in configuration, size and capacity.

I like the Lansen a lot. It was not the most common visitor in the otherwise rather fighter infested skies of my home (that would have been Drakens, and later, Viggens), but it's extremely clean and simple, yet efficient design bears a natural beauty, much like the Hawker Hunter does.



I'm thinking "Starfighter green" over light grey, as per the RNoAF strike zippers, and threedigit tailnumbers, just as said zippers, late in their career. Also, one maybe should consider replasing the old RM5 engine with the later, RM6 from the interceptor Lansens? That extra push sure made some difference in getting a heavily laden strike aircraft off the runway, back in the day. The original torch did leave something to be desired, as a matter of fact. From a modelling perspective, it's not that complicated to cut the existing nozzle, replacing it with a slightly larger one. At least from the perspective of not having entered the process yet..
We'll see. And more interesting - we'll see whether I ever get there, knowing my very intermittent construction schedule..
 

[PR19_Kit]

I like the Lansen a lot. It was not the most common visitor in the otherwise rather fighter infested skies of my home (that would have been Drakens, and later, Viggens), but it's extremely clean and simple, yet efficient design bears a natural beauty, much like the Hawker Hunter does.
 

You and me both, it's very much a tandem two seater Hunter, but not like the Freightdog version.

I've had a Heller Lansen in The Loft for ever, but never quite figured out how to Whiff it without losing the essential 'Lansen-ness' of it.  I'm sure Rb-04 missiles will feature in it somewhere though. 

[kitbasher]

Yes the Lansen is, as you say, a 'looker'.

Only ever seen one, the example at Aeroseum.

[Rheged]

I've only ever seen a Lansen "in the flesh" once.   While in a Scout expedition to Scandinavia in 1967, our minibuses  were halted at the start of a long clear road near Vasteras.  A Lansen taxied out of the forest, paused for a moment then took off along the road.    We were then waved on our way

[PR19_Kit]

That must have been an occasion! I wish I'd have seen that. 

[Rheged]

That must have been an occasion! I wish I'd have seen that. 

What I remember most of all is how LOUD it was.............but with 14.000 lbs of thrust from an R-R Avon derived engine, that was to be expected

[Nick]

I'm pretty sure I saw a Lansen fly at Biggin Hill or Farnborough a few years ago. It was part of the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight and there were 3 aircraft in formation - Lansen, Saab 105, and a Tunnen. I might even have photos of this at home.

[Pellson]

I'm pretty sure I saw a Lansen fly at Biggin Hill or Farnborough a few years ago. It was part of the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight and there were 3 aircraft in formation - Lansen, Saab 105, and a Tunnen. I might even have photos of this at home.

Sounds about right. The SwAFHF usually participate, at least at Farnborough.

Looking a bit deeper into my source material, SAAB actually had a few looks at improving the Lansen beyond what went into service.

• The A32B was an attack version of the already existing J32B, basically being an A32A with the RA.24R instead of the RA.21R of the original version, and the quad 20mm cannons replaced with 30mm ADENs. Originally, these were to be newbuilds, just carrying on the production where the J32B left off, but later, they were to be rebuilt J32B's when these were replaced by J35D/F Drakens as allweather fighters.
• Another attack version was the A32D, intended as a fallback solution should the AJ37 Viggen project go t*ts up. The A32D would have looked quite similar to the A32B, but would have featured a somewhat strengthened structure and the Avon RA29R pushing the power from the RA.21R's 7,600 lbf/9,690 lbf to 12,710 lbf/17,000 lbf dry/wet. This power increase wouldn't have done anything on speed as the wing wasn't more than trans-sonic at best, but it would have meant a significant improvement in payload and takeoff performance meaning a much more versatile strike platform. Also, obviously, systems such as radar and nav computers would have been revisited as well as the weapons available, effectively integrating everything planned for the Viggen.
• Finally, there was also a J32U (for Utveckling =>Development). This version was intended to be properly supersonic why the wing, fin and stabilisator was made about 6% thinner. The main wing sweep was also increased from 35deg to 40 deg. also, the stabilisator was remodelled into an all flying stabilator to ensure supersonic maneuverability. The engine installation was initially an RA.19R but later, the RA.29R from the later Draken versions was considered as well. By this time, however, later allweather Drakens were already foreseen and thus, for financial reasons,the RSwAF stayed with J32B that was in production.

Looking at above, it seems rather natural to aim for the rather substantially upgraded A32D when whiffing a strike Lansen, so that's what I'll look for, and whiule at it, I might take the opportunity to revisit my old RSwAF Lansens as well. I mean - why not..?

[DogfighterZen]

I like Lansens so whatever you do, i'll like it for sure...