DONE @p.2 +++ 1:72 Saab ASH 90B, Swedish Air Force, winter 2010/11

Dizzyfugu · November 12, 2024, 11:50:11 PM

Early thread opening for a running project that fits into this GB's framework.

It is a follow-up build after the recent Kawasaki A-2 attack aircraft based on the T-4 trainer. In the past I have "converted" the T-4 several times into a Swedish trainer aircraft, the Sk 90, and when I prepared for the A-2 with its different nose section I also considered a less thorough conversion, inspired by the Japanese T-2/F-1: a trainer with a faired-over 2nd cockpit, where an avionics bay takes up the space, and with more strike capabilities. Since I had another Hasegawa T-4 in The Stash™ (well, actually two of them...!

) and was in the right mood, I decided to turn the alternative concept into hardware, too, just as a Swedish aircraft and tailored to a polar theatre of operations.

Curious how it turns out, stay tuned.

Wardukw · November 12, 2024, 11:52:07 PM

Welcome to the party mate 👍

It's one of your builds Diz so I already know it's gonna be cool 😎 😄

Dizzyfugu · November 13, 2024, 12:05:07 AM

Quote from: Wardukw on November 12, 2024, 11:52:07 PMIt's one of your builds Diz so I already know it's gonna be cool 😎 😄

Literally. Even though the "polar" aspect might later only be conveyed through livery and scenic pictures.

Amphion · November 13, 2024, 04:06:27 AM

What is the H in ASH referring to.

Dizzyfugu · November 13, 2024, 04:30:09 AM

Quote from: Amphion on November 13, 2024, 04:06:27 AMWhat is the H in ASH referring to.

The "H" stands for havsövervakning (or simply hav for sea); together with the "S" for spaning it means maritime reconnaissance (from the SH 37 Viggen variant).

Amphion · November 14, 2024, 12:57:59 AM

Naturally, I guess the single A throw me of my line of thought.

There was a AJSH 37-variant if you really want to cover all bases.

Dizzyfugu · November 14, 2024, 02:26:57 AM

Yes, these were upgraded multi-role Viggens (there was an AJSF with the camera nose, too, and AJS made from the AJ fighter bombers). Confusing matter!

Dizzyfugu · November 14, 2024, 03:06:45 AM

The kit and its assembly:
I have already converted several Hasegawa 1:72 Kawasaki T-4 into "my" fictional Saab Sk 90 trainer, with little modifications. Originally, I wondered what an overdue Saab 105 replacement could or would look like? The interesting Saab 38 never saw the light, as mentioned above, there was also an A-10-style light attack aircraft, and I assume that neutral Sweden would rather develop its own aircraft than procure a foreign product.
I recently converted another T-4 into a JASDF attack single-seater with a totally new nose section (from a Eurocopter Tiger), and while I was thinking about the project I also considered a less ambitious "variant" with a faired-over rear cockpit – inspired by the Mitsubishi F-1 derived from the T-2 trainer. And since I was in the right mood and had another T-4 kit in The Stash™ I used the flowing mojo to tackle another Sk 90 build – the Swedish ASH 90 attack derivative.

Using the F-1/T-2 benchmark I wanted to keep things simple, though, so the T-4 kit was mostly taken OOB – there are actually two different Hasegawa kits/molds out there, and this is the earlier one. It's a pleasant building experience; the kit is relatively simple, and fit is very good, with only minimal PSR necessary.

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland), during "Loyal Arrow" joint NATO exercises, late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland), during "Loyal Arrow" joint NATO exercises, late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The changes I made for the attack variant were additional hardpoints under the wings and on the wingtips, a pointed radome (from an F-16), a ventral gun pod (from a Heller Alpha Jet), and the canopy was cut into two pieces so that the rear section could be blended into the hull, leaving small side windows free. This and the radome radically change the stubby aircraft's look, making it look pretty fast and surprisingly purposeful!
The ordnance was taken wholesale from an Italeri Saab Gripen kit, including the odd EAJP ECM pod which rather looks like a Soviet/Russian than a Swedish product. Just the camera pod on the outer portside underwing pylon was scratched from a Heller Alpha Jet drop tank and putty, simulating the SKA 24 long-range camera pod the SH 37 frequently carried.
Furthermore, some blade antennae were added, and the ejection seat was pimped with handles made from brass wire.

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland), during "Loyal Arrow" joint NATO exercises, late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland), during "Loyal Arrow" joint NATO exercises, late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

More coming soon!

kerick · November 14, 2024, 06:25:22 AM

Very nice!

Wardukw · November 14, 2024, 09:26:51 AM

Yep another cool Dizzy build is on its way

Should be finished this time tomorrow 🙄 😄😄😄

Dizzyfugu · November 14, 2024, 11:16:08 PM

Well, it has already been finihsed, but it's waiting for the photo session (hopefully next weekend) and I am currently writing up WIP and background story for FlickR where I host all my stuff.

It's that time warp thing...

However, concerning the model....

Painting and markings:
This was a bigger challenge than the building phase, because I wanted something ...different. I had already built an Sk 90 in Fields & Meadows (the first one) as well as in a Gripen-style all-grey livery (a Scottish aircraft), so what could be a new yet "realistic" alternative?

1:72 Saab Sk 90 S, aircraft "45 Red" (s/n 90320) of the Skaraborgs Flygflottilj (F7), Swedish Air Force; Såtenäs, 1998 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab Sk 90A "Iolaire" T.1, aircraft "TхG" (s/n 90-07) of the Poblachd na h-Alba Adhair an Airm (Republic of Scotland Air Corps/RoScAC) Eaglais a' Bhaile Ùir Flying Training School; Kirknewtoun Station, Whitemoss/Edinburgh, Republic of Scotland, 2018 by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Inspiration eventually struck when I came across pics of a JAS 39E, carrying a symmetrical three-tone splinter camouflage on the upper surfaces. Apparently, there was more than one aircraft decorated in this fashion, but I assume that these were demonstrators and the paint scheme not an official camouflage?

Adapting the scheme from the canard-winged Gripen for the conventional T-4/Sk 90 was not easy, though, and to make it less decorative I moved away from the symmetric pattern, at least on the upper surfaces (even though the flanks were not mirrored, just quite similar). Since I could not find a reliable color reference I guesstimated the tones and ended up with RLM 63 (ModelMaster #2077) underneath, because I used that tone before for Gripen-style liveries, and for the splinter scheme I went for Humbrol 67 (RAL 7021, a VERY dark grey), 106 (RAF Ocean Grey, even though a rather brownish interpretation of that tone) and 64 (Royal Navy ships' Light Grey).

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland) during joint NATO exercise 'Loyal Arrow', late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland) during joint NATO exercise 'Loyal Arrow', late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The cockpit was painted in neutral grey, while the landing gear and the air intakes became white – very conservative. The Sidewinders and the pods were painted in a different medium grey (RAL 7000), and the massive RBS 15 missiles became Field Grey with dark olive drab tips and red exhaust covers.

The markings were kept simple, puzzled together from various sources. Tactical codes, some major stencils and roundels came from an Italeri Saab 39 Gripen sheet – with the benefit (and tactically prepared through paint and scheme choices...) that the grey low-viz markings' brightness falls between Humbrol 67 and 106, for a very consistent look. Many smaller things came from the T-4's OOB sheet and from a Hasegawa Saab 35 Draken sheet. The silver trim at the fin rudder was made with generic 0.5mm decal stripes in silver. Similar but wider strips in black were used to create the de-icers on the wings' leading edges.

Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri).

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland) during joint NATO exercise 'Loyal Arrow', late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Saab ASH 90B,'32 Grey (s/n 90232)' of the Swedish Air Force Blekinge Flygflottilj (F17); deployed to Kalixfors Airfield (Swedish Lapland) during joint NATO exercise 'Loyal Arrow', late 2010 (Whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Almost there...

Dizzyfugu · November 16, 2024, 08:22:05 AM

Good news: photo session finished, butb editing pending, and I got ideas for two more builds for this GB: a simple whif aircraft ...and something else.

Dizzyfugu · November 18, 2024, 11:51:52 PM

First pics edited, and I found that A.I. can be quite helpful to edit things away. On the other side, this means that editing pics now takes 3-4 steps with different softwares, which all have their indivual strengths and weaknesses, but it's a step ahead to reduce workload overall.

Wardukw · November 19, 2024, 09:16:41 AM

Thomas I really do like that camo scheme and it looks great on that little bird too.
Another sweet build

Dizzyfugu · **Yesterday** at 12:25:21 AM

Thank you. More than a dozen pics have been edited so far, but there's still a batch to go...