Saab J 35Ö Mk.II Draken – Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte Fliegerregiment 2, 1. Staffel
Bonjour chers imodelers,
This is my rendition of the Saab J 35 Draken, under the colours of the Austrian Air Force in 2003. The model is the one from Eduard/Hasegawa with photo-etched parts, resin parts, adhesive masks and Cartograf decals. I just added pitot tubes from Master Model which bring a more realistic finish. I met some fitting issues, as usual with Hasegawa, annoying but not tragic. Some steps in the intructions sheet are foggy or even wrong compared to the real plane. Not serious, Mr Eduard ! I tried for the first time post shading instead of pre shading. I am quite happy with the result, although the varnish had a fading effect.
I like the shades of grey on the Austrian Draken. Except for some details, like front wheel, the overal shapes of the J 35 look to me still modern. This plane was able to reach Mach 2 at a time when there were still few jets that were able to. It was the great period of European aviation with the Mirage III or the BAC Lightning.
I hope you like it, and thanks for watching!
See you soon for another project…
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Michel Verschuere said on October 20, 2019
Very nice rendition of the Draken. I studied in Vienna and there is one of these aircraft outside the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum there. It really made a Star-Wars like impression on me first time I saw it. Its looks way ahead of its time I find…
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heeresgeschichtliches_Museum
Stéphane Bredel said on October 21, 2019
Thanks Michel.
I hope to be in this museum one day…
John Healy said on October 20, 2019
Nice work. Any problems in assembly? I have one in queue to build soon.
Stéphane Bredel said on October 21, 2019
Hi John,
Thanks.
Indeed, some fittings are troublesome like aft part of the fuselage, gun openings or canopy. But this kit is maybe older than 20 years. This explains maybe that. Otherwise, engraved panels are beautiful. If you have the Eduard limited box, be careful with the instruction sheet. The best is to have good photos. There many differences between Drakens depending of the air forces.
Cheers
John Healy said on October 21, 2019
Thanks.
Pedro L. Rocha said on October 20, 2019
Very cool, it’s a seldom seen built model and your Drakken looks very solid, with the proper look of a well maintained machine
Stéphane Bredel said on October 21, 2019
Thanks for your kind words, Pedro.
Tom Cleaver said on October 21, 2019
The Draken was definitely one of the best of the 3rd generation jet fighters, and did look very different from everything else. You’ve done a great job of capturing it.
Stéphane Bredel said on October 21, 2019
Hi Paul,
Many thanks.
I would say that the Draken is even a plane of the 2nd generation, if I am right, which shows the advanced engineering in Europe for such high performance airplanes.
Manuel Magrinho said on October 21, 2019
Nice one! And an unusual plane around here.
Congrats on the build!
Stéphane Bredel said on October 21, 2019
Thanks Manuel. I like to build something else than a Spitfire or a Me 109 😉
Tommy Killander said on October 21, 2019
Excellent work!
Erik Gjørup said on October 21, 2019
Aahh – Draken. . . – brings back memories as they were all over the sky when I was quite a bit younger. In Denmark we still have two that are kept in running condition, but sadly not flying – I had to borrow the one from Sweden for “my” latest airshow at Stauning – what a treat!
Now, your build is so well done – the weathering is just spot on with the oil streaks and all – thanx for sharing!
Reinhard Spreitzhofer said on October 21, 2019
Nicely done rendition of my homeland´s former flying oldies!
Greg Kittinger said on October 21, 2019
Love the Swedish designs, and seeing the Draken in this scheme means I’ll need to add another to my stash! Yours looks fantastic – love the scheme, and the weathering. Well done.
George R Blair Jr said on October 21, 2019
Great job, Stephane. I really like the camo with the strikingly large numbers on top of the wings.
Stéphane Bredel said on October 22, 2019
Thanks again to all for your nice comments.