The Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen jets recently came up. To explain the differences, here are a couple of small die-cast models I have.
Saab is a Swedish aircraft maker, founded in 1937. It made aircraft for neutral Sweden during WW2, but is best known for its post-war jet fighters. Exports of Swedish aircraft have been limited, and few air forces fly these aircraft, other than the Swedes themselves.
The Saab 35 Draken (Dragon) is a single seat, single-engined aircraft, with a double delta wing. There was also a two-seat trainer version. It was used only by Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and later Austria. First flight 1955.
This little die-cast comes in just one-piece, including the undercarriage. It is only 33 mm long, but is not a very good model of the real thing. Maker unknown - the underside is marked ©KPT89.
The Saab 37 Viggen (Thunderbolt) is another single seat, single-engined fighter, this time with a very distinctive canard layout. Again, there is a two-seat trainer. Flown only by Sweden. First flight 1967.
This is a larger model, by Dyna-Flites. It has a metal undercarriage, with plastic fuel tanks or bombs, and a clear plastic canopy. Real Viggens do not have Swedish roundels on the foreplanes, only on the wings and nose.
Both types have also been kitted by a number of companies, and I remember building the Airfix Draken in Danish colours many years ago.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
This is a larger model, by Dyna-Flites. It has a metal undercarriage, with plastic fuel tanks or bombs, and a clear plastic canopy. Real Viggens do not have Swedish roundels on the foreplanes, only on the wings and nose.
Both types have also been kitted by a number of companies, and I remember building the Airfix Draken in Danish colours many years ago.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Your unknown grey fighter is actually a well used Triax fighter/bomber from Kenner Parker Toys Mega Force line made in 1989 hence the KPT89. It would have had a small plastic shaped like 3 missles plugged into the 2 holes underneath. If it had been the commander's version, the rudder would have been all black, a different missle and a few other paint variations.
ReplyDeleteThe opposing force had F-14 inspired planes with canards. Sadly there was only one series of this awesome line.
http://www.toyarchive.com/Megaforce/TriaxFighterBombers.html
Beat me to it Lance! Here's an earlier appearance of Megaforce on the blog, with the Triax fighter on its launcher.
Deletehttps://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2013/07/future-war.html?m=1
I had a Saab 35 Draken model by Revell in the 70s, a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lance. This Kenner toy line is not one I know, so it is great to have the aircraft finally identified.
ReplyDeleteHa! I just dug these toys out and found the aircraft. Also found a tank/carrier that fires an apc(?) From under the main gun. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDelete