Saab Gripen

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I remember our very own Scooterman doing a superb 'Raspberry Ripple' two-seat Gripen last year, and I'm fairly certain that there's been at least one Fleet Air Arm model built. My question..... Other than Revell (1:72 & 1:32) & Italeri (1:72 & 1:48), are there any other Gripen kits around or due to arrive anytime soon ??

Ian
(Hmmmm, still got lots of USN & USAF Aggressor decals in the stash...)

[ChernayaAkula]

Another thing: With a Sea Gripen in the making, maybe the Gripen will be even more interesting to the Brazilians. One of the advantages of the Rafale is that there are very similar air force and navy versions, with the navy version able to operate from their carrier should the Brazilians want to re-equip the Sao Paulo. Now, if they can have an air force and a navy version of the Gripen (The AFs preferred type), maybe they'll reconsider.

<...> just one thing bothers me, Sweden has no experience in building carrier based aircraft, since itsself never operated an AC before, so i guess it would be build in cooperation with EADS/Dassault <...>

While not really carrier-based aircraft, both the Viggen and the Gripen have exceptional short field performance and good handling at slow speeds. And they're designed to withstand pretty hard landings with high rates of descent on runways. A couple of important points in adapting aircraft to carriers. Now, how to get them off the carrier....

As for the cooperation: what about BAE? How much of their carrier experience is left?

<...> My question..... Other than Revell (1:72 & 1:32) & Italeri (1:72 & 1:48), are there any other Gripen kits around or due to arrive anytime soon ?? <...>

There's also an Airfix 1/72 Gripen, which is an Italeri rebox. And a Bilek kit, which is an Italeri rebox. And a "recent" (as in late 1990s vintage) RoG kit, which is...., you guessed it, an Italeri rebox, but with some different armament (AA, instead of AG). The old RoG kit apparently isn't worth considering. And some obscure Eastern European brand (Aerotech? Aeroplast? Something like that...).
Then there's the 1/48 MPM Best Choice kit, which is the Italeri kit with a slew of resin and PE parts as well as Czech decals and a booklet thrown in.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Wilen Danke, Moritz

Tcheuss

Ian

[B777LR]

Now, if they can have an air force and a navy version of the Gripen (The AFs preferred type), maybe they'll reconsider.

Slim chances, if any. Brazil has ordered 50 EC 725s, has four Scorpene class submarines on order, as well as a nuclear submarine and 4-5 offshore patrol vessels. Much of this was announced around the same time as the Rafale was proclaimed the winner by the government, and just after some Lula and Sarkozy had met in Paris. Sounds like one large arms deal to me, and backing out of part of it is hard. Especially when France sold them Mirage 2000 and a carrier only few years ago.

[Hobbes]

I remember our very own Scooterman doing a superb 'Raspberry Ripple' two-seat Gripen last year, and I'm fairly certain that there's been at least one Fleet Air Arm model built. My question..... Other than Revell (1:72 & 1:32) & Italeri (1:72 & 1:48), are there any other Gripen kits around or due to arrive anytime soon ??

Revell also do a 1:144 Gripen. I have one in the stash, I'd have to check and see if it's any good.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Revell also do a 1:144 Gripen.

Waayyyy too small for my big paws and middle-aged eyes, Harro !

Ian

[ChernayaAkula]

Slim chances, if any. <...>

Yeah, you're probably right. Would be interesting, though. And IIRC, the Rafales were not part of the deal. The winner of the F-X2 tender was not announced yet when the contract for the other stuff was signed. IIRC, it was just a memorandum of understanding that if Brazil chose the Rafale, they'd get this and that in offset agreements/manufacture them by EMBRAER. But even if the air force wants the Gripen, the politicians will have their way. Personally, I don't think the Rafale is a bad choice (but that's just the armchair expert that has a serious affinity towards all things Dassault ). And who knows how much of the air force's decision is policy-making of its own? Maybe just to want something else than the poliicians or certain politicians want....

[B777LR]

Yeah, you're probably right. Would be interesting, though. And IIRC, the Rafales were not part of the deal. The winner of the F-X2 tender was not announced yet when the contract for the other stuff was signed. IIRC, it was just a memorandum of understanding that if Brazil chose the Rafale, they'd get this and that in offset agreements/manufacture them by EMBRAER. But even if the air force wants the Gripen, the politicians will have their way.

For what we know, the politicians could already have made up their minds and signed for the Rafale. If thats the case, it would be a good idea to keep quiet and pretend the Rafale is just the winner. We don't have access to the actual official information in this deal, but i would be suprised if all these purchases of french weapons aren't related. 

[GTX]

Old news - this has been in the mill now for years.

Regards,

Greg

[ChernayaAkula]

Some Gripen goodness. Because it's just so pretty!

A couple of rather nice pics of the real aircraft can be found >>HERE<<.

[rickshaw]

What are the AA missiles that its carrying?

[Weaver]

IRIS-Ts on the wingtips and Meteor BVRAMs underwing.

[Jschmus]

I know the Gripen was designed from the get-go as a "swing-role" aircraft, but I've never seen it illustrated hauling so much iron.  Wow.

[GTX]

Double the power:



Regards,

Greg

[Hobbes]

Nice! You might want to enlarge the intakes, though.