SAAB Viggen AJSH 37 37918 NAHR – Significant
The final sections of Saab AJSH 37 Viggen 373 918 were transported by road to the museum on 25th June 2006. On loan from the RSAF (Royal Swedish Air Force) having been flown to RAF Cranwell by Captain Jonas Haraldsson of 211 Squadron of the Swedish Air Force in February 2006. By Jan McGeachie
The name Viggen originates from the Norse god Thor’s war hammer, and literally means ‘The Thunderbolt’. Its digital central computer automated and took over tasks that previously would have needed a navigator/co-pilot. Designed for simple repair and servicing by conscripts, with minimal training the double delta design and nose canard wing helped enhance both its agility and manoeuvrability giving the Viggen short take-off capabilities from both runways and roads.
Saab's design team begun work on the radical delta wing during the early 1950s, aiming for it t operate from short runways. Originally the British Rolls-Royce Medway engine was selected before Saab chose to adopt the Volvo RM8; the aerodynamic design was finalised in 1963 with construction starting in 1964. The Viggen was flown by Saab’s chief test pilot Erik Dahlström on 8th February 1967, the first of an eventual seven prototypes assigned different roles, and deliveries for an initial batch of 175 began for the RSAF in July 1971 after the Viggen was seen at the Paris Air Show in May 1969.
Viggen 373 918 was originally built as an SH37 maritime strike / reconnaissance variant in 1976 fitted with the maritime PS 371/A radar, cockpit camera and tape recorder for mission analysis, later converted between 1993 and 1998 to an AJSH37 with the off-centred reconnaissance pod, serving with the RSAF’s F10 and F21 wings.
Built with an aluminium airframe using a bonded honeycomb metal structure with its entire rear section composed of titanium, it has a wingspan of 34 feet 9 inches; length 53 feet 9 inches; maximum speed of 1,386 mph (Mach 2.1); with a range of 621 miles; capable of operating at up to 59,000 feet. The Volvo Flygmotor RM 8B turbofan with afterburner allowed a rate of climb of 40,000 feet minute /min.
The Viggens were first delivered in the mid-1971 with 108 built, with serial numbers 37001-37108 of which 48 were upgraded to AJS 37 standard. Despite advances in computing, constant adjustments to the AP-12 display system as well as the reconnaissance equipment it could carry, further development of the Viggen was not considered cost-effective. The type started to be decommissioned in 1990 and the Swedish aerospace industry concentrated instead on the Saab JAS 39.
The formal loan of the Viggen from the RSAF was confirmed when the signed copy of the EUC (End User Certificate) was returned from the RSAF on 21st December 2005. After several false starts the Viggen flew in to RAF Cranwell on 7th February 2006, thanks to the approval of the Station Commander at RAF Cranwell and Serco.
After the aircraft was deactivated by the RSAF, museum volunteers dismantled the aircraft, which was moved by road in sections in early summer 2006. The aircraft was reassembled ready for formal hand over in December 2006. This example is the only Viggen displayed in the UK and housed in Hangar 2, still wearing the markings of F21.
Photo Credit Gordon McGeachie