Viggen!!!

Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:48 pm

FINALLY!!!

Its been delayed and delayed and...
But for me, since this is my all time favourite Aircraft, its been an easy wait.
I have been dreaming of a kit like this, as in a proper good quality 1/48 scale Viggen, since I was a kid. (am 45)
Never thought it would happen, but now its here and it feels fantastic!
I grew up with this bird in the sky every day.
To me the Viggen is the JA37, or as its called in Sweden the "Jakt Viggen". The thoroughbred fighter version.
This to me the JA version is THE Viggen.
If You dont madly love this Aircraft like me, I understand if 65£ seems a lot.
Me? I would pay whatever for this kit!

Today the package came from Rebell Hobby (rebell.com) and I had to open it in the car just to make sure it was true...

Tomorrow I will start with an in box look through so You all can see exactly whats in the box. And start to build...

Post by **Paul** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:58 pm

O0 that looks nice any chance of seeing what's inside

Post by **chief5437** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:04 am

Been waiting for someone to get this. Beauty of a plane, dying to know what the kit is like! I've never seen one built. Good luck buddy

Post by **JonMW** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:20 am

Nice! I'm still waiting for mine, really hopes it gets here soon.

Post by **Russ72** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:17 am

Hoping there's a build thread in this kits future. Very Cool pick up.

Post by **patrickroos** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:20 pm

Ok...in the box!

First, thanks to Max and Fredrik for starting Tarangus and bringing us these fantastic Swedish subjects!

Not as obscure nearly un-buildable resin stuff, but as nice quality 1/72 and 1/48 plastic kits, fantastic!
To produce kits like this is a huge project, and if Your a small company the stakes and risks are high.
Since its also very very expensive. Thereoff the pricetag on the finished product.
The Viggen is a collaborative project between Tarangus and Czech company MPM.

This JA (Jakt Attack, Fighter Attack) 37 is the first version. As I understand the plan, next is MPM releasing the SK (Skolflygplan, Trainer) 37 two seater. Then Tarangus will release the SH/SF (Reconnaissance) 37 and finally MPM the original Viggen, AJ (Attack Jakt, Attack Fighter) 37.

There will also be new PE, canopy and camo masks from Maestro models (made by Eduard) due soon.
Also resin in the near future.
Already now there are aftermarket stuff for Heller etc kits.
Everything on pylons (missiles, bombs etc) fits the Tarangus kit, also the resin Wheels, and brass stuff like pitot tubes etc.

Ok, the kit!
In the box You find a big bag full of quality plastic.

Below the kit sprue by sprue and som selected detail shots.

Intakes with no pin marks!

First ever Viggen kit with correct front intake shape!

Very nice exhaust!

Manual is easy to follow with clear drawings on each step. It also tells You which Gunze colors to use!

Nice A3 fold out with camo descriptions in color. If Your doing the splinter and is not a Tamiya tape fetichist I suggest to wait for the camo masks...

You get 4 options. 1 splinter, 2 two tone grey, and 1 bare metal.

A3 fold out in color for the stencil placement.

Decal sheet, for a short run kit very nice!

I also bought the brass tubes...

And the resin Wheels...

Will also buy missiles and masks.

Thats the kit folks, will start to build very soon! Will probably build three and start easy with a two tone grey one.
Will also do a splinter one and a bare metal one.
The two tone grey is the simplest of course, but still looks fantastic with the big dayglow numbers.

Post by **chief5437** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 2:35 pm

Looks very nice! Can't wait to see her built!

Post by **Willem** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:00 pm

Now that looks a real beauty.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:12 pm

That looks a sweet kit! Looking forward to the build

Post by **patrickroos** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:34 pm

Short take of w roll on leaving ground, then landing and cleaning the runway, Full reverse and backing around, short take of again, low pass w full afterburner...love it!

(Flying like this today will have You grounded)
[youtube]SNGLQZEPekA[/youtube]

Post by **Willem** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:38 pm

Fabulous! He even found reverse gear on the runway!

Post by **Nige201980** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:22 pm

Looks a cracking kit think I'll get one at some point thanks for the close look and looking forward to the build.

Post by **mincemeat** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:56 pm

Figures a fuel truck would roll by during the low pass. Frickin fuel truck.

The kit looks great! I've got my eye on the Gripen, any plans on doing the next generation?

Post by **amsvkng** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:45 am

Wow I am throughly jelous, this model is also something I always wanted to build and like you it is also my favorite of all time, det ar den svenska Tomcat

. Really curious to see how this looks in the end.

/amsvkng

Post by **SeanH20** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:50 am

Love that video clip! Would like to see one of these close up.

Post by **TommyKillander** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:29 pm

Preordered it just before Christmas, so I guess I'm "last in line"

Anyway, it seems to be worth waiting for.

Have you decided which armament you will put on it yet?

Here's a nice clip showing the "road-base" capability of the Viggen, where the Viggen can land on a road and refuel, rearm and take off again. The service troops can then quickly move to another location. Places like this are scattered all over Sweden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVy1HokWNUc

Post by **patrickroos** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:39 pm

Naturally there will be som repetition now with JonMWs build...
BUT Who cares its Viggen!!!

These are the parts that make up the cockpit...I would say that with a desent paint job and perhaps some scratched seatbelts the detail level is fine for a closed cockpit. Open cockpit, I will use a much more detailed resin one (coming). But thats just me...

BTW! I actually read the instructions efter taking this pic and its the wrong tub, (two different ver included), right one in rest of pics.

Started by fixing the seam at the head portion with some styrene. Also glued the "pole" to which the seat is fastened. (Look careful in the instructions to get this piece in right)

Next some fiddling, checking and test fitting. The tub has a very snug fit in the fuse.

Did a rough mockup to understand how much You will see through the clear. Even if the cockpit and glass parts are small, You can actually see most stuff in there. (I will do a closed canopy as stated above)

How big is the Vigg!?
Wing on top of my ongoing 1/48 F-15E...the Vigg IS BIG!

Since the two tone grey ones included in the decals are from the F16 wing, Im extremely tempted to do this special camo...it was a special one used for demo/test back in 2001/2002ish. I Think it was only this individual that had this camo.

BUT! Then there is the belly...will be hard to ignore this. This divisional emblem was used on the 1st divisions(?) J26 Mustangs at F16 in the late 40ies and 50ies. Could ignore it but...hmm well see.

There are many cool special Viggen paint schemes.
This is the "Black Knight" aka "Darth Vader" Viggen

Post by **patrickroos** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:14 pm

TommyKillander wrote:Preordered it just before Christmas, so I guess I'm "last in line" Anyway, it seems to be worth waiting for.

Have you decided which armament you will put on it yet?

Here's a nice clip showing the "road-base" capability of the Viggen, where the Viggen can land on a road and refuel, rearm and take off again. The service troops can then quickly move to another location. Places like this are scattered all over Sweden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVy1HokWNUc

Hej Tommy

Armament...hmm havent decided, maybe a full loadout of 6 Rb74? (AIM-9 Sidewinders)
Or maybe a combo of 4 Rb74 and 2 Rb71 (modified Arrow)
And tank and contermeasures.
Well see...

Post by **patrickroos** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:42 pm

Or I might just "steal" the AIM-120 AMRAAMs from the F-15!
(called Rb 99 in Swedish use)

Post by **patrickroos** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:50 pm

Small update, I unintentionally lied to You!

The abovementioned pieces were not all to make up the canopy.
There are also these Little guys

One goes here

The other here

Also fixed the seam in the headrest/seat

Post by **patrickroos** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:27 pm

Cockpit ready for paint process...

Built the inner intake sub assembly

In there is a dark and gloomy Place, you only have to tidy up and paint the outmost part of the intake tunnel.

Some notes so far:
-Tamiya Extra thin melts the plastic very well, be careful when pressing glued parts together.
-The instructions are not very clear on how to (at what position) to glue in the IP
Its more or less standing free without guidance. Hence very easy to get it in the wrong angle. I recommend to skip the instructions and glue it in with the tub in the fuse. This way you can fiddle around and align it correctly with the fuse while glue is setting.
-The two side sticks, lean them slightly forward or they will collide with the side console attached to the fuse/cockpit wall.

Post by **JonMW** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:38 pm

Nice.
Have you test fitted the exhaust yet? If you think it's hard to get the instrument panel in the right angle, try the reverse thrust doors, no locators at all so that will be a bit of a challenge.

Post by **patrickroos** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:09 pm

JonMW wrote:Nice.
Have you test fitted the exhaust yet? If you think it's hard to get the instrument panel in the right angle, try the reverse thrust doors, no locators at all so that will be a bit of a challenge.

No, but assume it will be "a test of patience" from looking at the parts and instructions...

First i thought...ok CA + Activator, done! Buuuut...not sure about painting then.
But I guess I will paint and weather all parts separately, then glue 122 to 121 and then the thrust doors with CA, or at least the top one that is at an angle (I will have them in ground/parked position).
After just putting the most part of the Revell F-15E together, this feels like a walk in the park so far!
The Viggen plastic and moulding quality is great!

Im thinking the challenge will be to get the outer intake parts on in a good way...

Post by **patrickroos** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:36 pm

Front Wheel well in Place

Nose cone is two parts...I know, not very hi-Tech but no problem since the fit is excellent!

Underside is perfect, will probably only need sanding and polishing.

Topside also very good, only a small gap at the base (left in pic)

Fixed with some styrene

H A T E Vallejo primer...Heard a lot of good things about the new AK/Mig water based Polymer primer.
Gave it a try...

Found my new primer!!
Sprays beautifully out of the bottle. Just shake well (I Always put steel baering balls in my bottles).
0,2mm needle no probs, around 15-20psi, lay it down in thin coats, perfect.
After just blow drying its touch dry.
Silky satin smooth finish.
And...NO tip drying, none! And...Cleans very easy, no mess, windshield wiper fluid is more than enough. (you dont even need to waste cleaner)
Thank You AK/Mig!

Parts primed

Was out of H308 for the cokpit interior, so took H307 (slightly darker) and lightened it with some White.

Thought metalizers was overkill so took the easy and fast option on the seat and sprayed it in Runefang Steel.
(The Citadel metal colors are actually very nice! And very easy to spray)

H422 for the light green, have an idea about the seat...if someone wonders why I did the whole thing light green.

That concludes the spray part for the cockpit, hand painting and weathering from here on.

Post by **patrickroos** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:54 pm

Definitely decided on the grey scheme on this one.
Viggens were heavily used during the cold war and often got very weathered!
Something that shows very well on the two tone grey camo, love it.
Check out the grime on the bellys and look at those panel lines!!

Some inspirational ref pics.

Here is the one that inspired the box art.

Post by **patrickroos** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:12 pm

Just fiddling on with the cockpit...

Post by **galileo1** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:48 am

Oh man, I wish I hadn't seeing this thread. I never was much into any of the SAAB aircraft but man, this one is just freaking impressive!! I love the lines of it. Will definitely be getting me this one at some point.

Post by **chief5437** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:21 am

Loving this thread! I've read a lot of people were waiting for this kit to be released, it's easy to see why. I always liked the Swedish jets, although was never too keen on the drakken?! Some great reference pics you've got there, it'll look great with all that grime on!

I'm surprised that the kit didn't come with resin and PE. I've had kits from MPM (and their sister companies) that came with all the extras as standard. For £60 I would expect at least some PE. Maybe when they start selling in larger numbers they might include some?

Anyway, great work buddy, looking forward to seeing more, kutgw!

Post by **amsvkng** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:16 am

Did you also airbrush the citadel Runefsang steel colour? I have an arsenal of citadel paints and when I try to airbrush them they always clog up the airbrush. If you are spraying this what kind of mixing ration are you using and which thinner are you using for it?

Thanks
/Karim

Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:42 pm

galileo1 wrote:Oh man, I wish I hadn't seeing this thread. I never was much into any of the SAAB aircraft but man, this one is just freaking impressive!! I love the lines of it. Will definitely be getting me this one at some point.

The Viggen is a monster...lets take an insanely huge engine, beef it up some more with an afterburner and put some wings on it!

For those that have never experienced the Viggen live, the only thing I can Think of that sounds like it, is a Saturn V launch!

Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:56 pm

chief5437 wrote: Loving this thread! I've read a lot of people were waiting for this kit to be released, it's easy to see why. I always liked the Swedish jets, although was never too keen on the drakken?! Some great reference pics you've got there, it'll look great with all that grime on!

I'm surprised that the kit didn't come with resin and PE. I've had kits from MPM (and their sister companies) that came with all the extras as standard. For £60 I would expect at least some PE. Maybe when they start selling in larger numbers they might include some?

Anyway, great work buddy, looking forward to seeing more, kutgw!

Thanks Chief!
Well for a small company like Tarangus, producing a 1/48 styrene model of this quality is very very expensive. Even if You share the cost.
(From a pure business perspective almost crazy)
Unfortunately the pricetag will reflect that. I suspect they make a profit of course, but not a huge one. And I believe they re-invest in new projects.
If Your not a fan of the subjects I totally understand if you shy away.
Im Swedish and love these Aircraft, especially the Viggen, my favourite Aircraft of all...so I would pay almost anything!

Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:00 pm

amsvkng wrote:Did you also airbrush the citadel Runefsang steel colour? I have an arsenal of citadel paints and when I try to airbrush them they always clog up the airbrush. If you are spraying this what kind of mixing ration are you using and which thinner are you using for it?

Thanks
/Karim

50/50 ish mix with Tamiya X-20A, mix well, spray!

Post by **amsvkng** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:08 am

LOVE IT!!!!! Makes me feel all warm inside....just like köttbullar.

/Karim

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:48 am

Mmmm köttbullar. Great work! Also found the ammo primer to be outstanding! The vallejo just clogs and pools

Post by **galileo1** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 4:54 pm

patrickroos wrote:
galileo1 wrote:Oh man, I wish I hadn't seeing this thread. I never was much into any of the SAAB aircraft but man, this one is just freaking impressive!! I love the lines of it. Will definitely be getting me this one at some point.
The Viggen is a monster...lets take an insanely huge engine, beef it up some more with an afterburner and put some wings on it!
For those that have never experienced the Viggen live, the only thing I can Think of that sounds like it, is a Saturn V launch!

Well, this kit just became available here in the U.S. and guess what, I just freaking ordered it!!!

Your thread here is solely responsible for this purchase (at least that's what I'm telling my wife

)

Can't wait to get it!

Post by **patrickroos** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 5:42 pm

Im absolutely fine with that!

Post by **galileo1** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:17 pm

I was already but I am now definitely following your build!

Post by **JediBoer** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 11:32 am

I have been wanting to see one of these Tarangus kits since Ultimate started selling them. They are expensive but the Viggen build looks great!

Just love the double delta wing configuration and that huge mother of an engine! Just wish I could paint that stunning Swedish camo pattern!

Thanks for sharing the build with us!

Post by **patrickroos** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:27 pm

You can, there will be canopy and camo masks coming from Maestro model. (made by Eduard)
Last I Heard was in 2-3 weeks if all goes well.
I will make one grey, one metal and one in camo. But no way the camo without pre cut masks...

The camo is called the "FOA-kamouflaget" (the FOA camouflage) FOA=Försvarets Forskningsanstalt = Swedish Defence Research Institute
Developed scientifically with the help of computers in the mid 70ties (1974 if i remember correctly?)
Viggen made it famous so it quickly became known as the "Viggen camo" or "Lövhög" (=pile of leaves)
Its (I Think) a Beautiful and unique splinter camo, designed to work in the Swedish forrest/nature.
Since many Viggens were based at road bases in the country side. We anticipated that the Soviets would bomb our airstrips to dust in the opening phases so Viggens were designed to operate with country roads as runways, or from short strips in the forrest made to look like country roads.
Thats why is has its STOL capacity, and the reason for the Three big thrust reversers so it could stop on a dime...

[youtube]bZkYnr58DOw[/youtube]

Pure love...
[youtube]UOszNlNeRVs[/youtube]

Post by **JediBoer** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 7:55 am

patrickroos wrote:You can, there will be canopy and camo masks coming from Maestro model. (made by Eduard)
Last I Heard was in 2-3 weeks if all goes well.
I will make one grey, one metal and one in camo. But no way the camo without pre cut masks...

The camo is called the "FOA-kamouflaget" (the FOA camouflage) FOA=Försvarets Forskningsanstalt = Swedish Defence Research Institute
Developed scientifically with the help of computers in the mid 70ties (1974 if i remember correctly?)
Viggen made it famous so it quickly became known as the "Viggen camo" or "Lövhög" (=pile of leaves)
Its (I Think) a Beautiful and unique splinter camo, designed to work in the Swedish forrest/nature.

Thanks for the info! Yes, I think it is my favorite camouflage pattern ever on a plane! I built a Matchbox Viggen when I was a kid and in those days there were no masks etc. It freaked me out! I tried handpainting it but was utterly unsuccessful till my dad suggested using cellotape. It was moderately successful. I just could not get the camo patches the right size. Mine was all big and out of scale but I was mighty proud of that plane! Wish I hadn't lost that model!

Thanks again for sharing!

Post by **qeialto** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:18 am

Wow, I forgot how nice the Viggen can be

I'm gonna ask some friend in Sweden to find a kit for me

Keep on posting this nice build.

Cheers
Antonio

Post by **amsvkng** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:34 pm

That pure love video really made my blood turn blue and yellow

I am just so amazed how short a runway it needs to stop. I mean this thing is one step away from being a VTOL!!

Thanks for sharing
/Karim

Post by **Daishi12** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:05 pm

Have always loved the Viggen and Draken, and can honestly say I have NEVER seen any other aircraft reverse

Post by **jbellos1** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:39 am

Oh my, that looks like a great kit! Thanks for the look inside.

Post by **JohnModeller** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:24 am

That looks really amazing mate. Although the kits by tarangus are expensive, they are really nice.
John

Post by **patrickroos** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:13 pm

qeialto wrote: Wow, I forgot how nice the Viggen can be

I'm gonna ask some friend in Sweden to find a kit for me

Keep on posting this nice build.

Cheers
Antonio

Going by Your info Your in the UK?
You can get it from Lee and Paul here:
http://www.umpretail.com/products/taran ... a37-viggen

Or Hannants and a couple others.

Post by **qeialto** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:30 am

patrickroos wrote:
qeialto wrote: Wow, I forgot how nice the Viggen can be

I'm gonna ask some friend in Sweden to find a kit for me

Keep on posting this nice build.

Cheers
Antonio
Going by Your info Your in the UK?
You can get it from Lee and Paul here:
http://www.umpretail.com/products/taran ... a37-viggen

Or Hannants and a couple others.

Thanks Mate!

Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:01 pm

Fiddeling around with the exhaust parts to figure out in what order to paint, weather and build.

By habit I always remove anything that can interfere with a nice fit...just to be sure.

Wheel wells going in, they had a very good fit.

Just for the h... of it I took of the upper wing halves and test fitted, just cut them of the sprue and layed them on top.
This revealed a perfect fit!

Was not really happy with the top of the nose cone after the first go, so it had another treatment.

Thats more like it!

Post by **Russ72** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:07 pm

Nice progress so far mate, looking forward to the next instalment.

Post by **JediBoer** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:28 am

Fit of the wings look fantastic and let's not even talk about the mean look!

Like what you did with the nose cone! Great job!