1:72 SAAB Viggen Air Brake Set

CMK 1:72 SAAB Viggen Air Brake Set

A resin detail set from the Czech maker CMK in 1:72 scale, intended for models of the Swedish Saab 37 Viggen combat aircraft. It contains the airbrakes and the related parts, which replace the flat molded surfaces from the kit and make it possible to show the brakes in the open position. The set is among the small accessories with few parts that can be fitted in a single evening and yet visibly help a model. It is not a kit of the aircraft but an accessory for a model you already have.

The real subject

The Saab 37 Viggen was a Swedish single-engined combat aircraft with an unusual canard layout, that is with a large forward lifting surface ahead of the main delta wing. It came about in several specialized versions for attack, reconnaissance, interception and training. The design deliberately allowed for operation from dispersed bases and from closed sections of road, so the aircraft had a powerful engine with an afterburner and a thrust reverser that shortened the roll after landing. On the Viggen the airbrakes at the rear of the fuselage are often extended in photographs taken on the ground, which makes them a rewarding detail for a model standing on a base.

Building and painting tips

Cut the original surfaces out of the kit with a sharp knife along the engraved outline and clean the opening up with a file. Wash the resin parts, remove the casting blocks and try the fit dry; a little sanding is normal. Spray the inside of the bays before you glue the brakes on, as otherwise you cannot reach the corners. Swedish machines carried camouflage as well as single-color gray finishes depending on the period, so check the finish of the particular machine against references. Glue the brakes with super glue at the end, after the clear coat, and darken the inner surfaces gently with a wash so that they do not look flat.

Who the set is for

• Builders of the Viggen in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want an aircraft on a base with the brakes extended
• Those looking for a quick accessory with few parts
• Anyone interested in Swedish postwar aircraft

The parts are supplied unassembled and unpainted. This is an accessory, not a complete model. Glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.