Viggen/Gripen

January 2012, 1/72 Heller Jaktviggen & Italeri Gripen

Both essentially out-of-the-box with kit decals. Gripen decals were good, Viggen decals were horrible. Unfortunately, as good as they looked on the sheet, I didn't imagine they'd refuse to react to any softening agent in the arsenal. Some of the corners of some of them are literally superglued to the model. In this day and age, such a state of affairs is simply inexcusable. The good news is there were few to go on, as I had no replacements. (I don't know that any exist for gray Viggens.)The decal stage truly spoiled the final chapter on this one. (I did repaint Heller's orange with proper day-glo.) All raised surface detail has been sanded off.

Gripen was typical Italeri with deep surface detail and soft fit. Fit of the canopy in the closed position was just bad. Thank goodness a clear canopy wasn't a requirement.

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Comments

[Douglas]

Very nice Pat! Have you gotten tired of building delta wings yet?

[Pat Hawkey]

Thanks, Doug. Tired of deltas? Can't imagine such a thing. That shape has me hooked.