1:72 SAAB DRAKEN J35 SWEDISH AIRFORCE

Saab Draken J 35 in Swedish Air Force colors, 1:72, Aviation 72

A finished metal collector's item, assembled and painted, in 1:72 scale, the manufacturer's part number AV7241001. The model is unpacked and stood in a display case - no modeling work awaits it. The box gives the general colors of the Swedish Air Force without the serial number of a particular machine, so unlike the sister pieces of this range it is not one identified aircraft. The manufacturer builds the Draken in further forms as well, so check the exact coloring and markings on the box.

The real subject

You recognize the Draken at first glance by its double delta - a wing whose inner part has markedly greater sweep than the outer. It was the first combat aircraft of Western European design with genuine supersonic capability to enter service. The prototype flew in October 1955, the machine entered the front line in March 1960 and the Swedish Air Force withdrew it only in December 1998. The design reckoned with the machines being dispersed around the country and operating from roads and short strips; that doctrine determined the form of the landing gear and the demands on the ground crew. The Draken also flew in Denmark, Finland and Austria.

What to look for in a finished model

On a metal model in 1:72 what decides is the cleanliness of the printing, the seating of the landing gear and the smoothness of the joint between the wing and the fuselage. The model is intended for display, it is not a toy. The range is sold in limited editions and this part number is listed by the manufacturer as discontinued, so buying another later may not be possible.

Who the model is for

• collectors of the Cold War and of Nordic aviation equipment
• anyone interested in a finished model without modeling work
• builders of collections in a uniform 1:72 scale

This is a finished model, not a kit. Check the workmanship, the assembly, the painting and the extent of the package on the box.