Below is the Guide Book write-up for Newark’s Viggen, which contains a few date snippets, design comments etc:
“The Viggen name comes from the Norse god Thor’s war hammer and means ‘The Thunderbolt’. The double delta design and nose canard wing combined to give the Viggen short take-off capabilities from runways and roads; quick stopping was achieved using a thrust reversing system in the tail.
Developed as a replacement for the Saab Lansen strike aircraft and also the Saab Draken fighter; the Viggen was designed for simple repair and servicing by conscripts with minimal training. The first designs were accepted in September 1962, with construction starting in 1964. The Viggen first flew on 8th February 1967 and deliveries commenced to the Swedish Air Force in June 1971.
Viggen 373 918 was built as a SH 37 maritime strike / reconnaissance variant and was fitted with the maritime PS 371/A radar, cockpit camera and tape recorder for mission analysis. Between 1993 and 1998 the aircraft was upgraded to the AJSH 37 standard featuring avionics / software upgrades and the off centered reconnaissance pod.
When the type was decommissioned in 2005, Viggen 373 918 was placed on long-term loan with the museum by the National Swedish Defence Museum. It flew in to RAF Cranwell, Lincs on 7th February 2006, piloted by Captain Jonas Haraldsson of 211 Squadron, F 21 Norrbotten Wing of the Swedish Air Force, Luleå, Sweden. This was made possible thanks to the approval of the Station Commander at RAF Cranwell and the staff at Serco.
After deactivation by the Swedish Air Force museum volunteers dismantled the aircraft, which was moved by road on 25th June 2006. The aircraft was reassembled ready for formal hand over in December 2006.”
Viggen 373 918 is nicely tucked up inside Hangar 2 for this current indifferent spell of weather!
Sign In
