Spinners Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 Saab J36C Sparvhök - F11, Svenska Flygvapnet, 1974 Cocas' cute little Epervier with a Swedish skin. 2 Quote
BlitzGreek Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 10 out of 10..i don't have enough thumbs to raise Quote
Viggen Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Decided I would give this fun little kite a back story. By 1965, the Swedish Government had realized that Saab's upcoming fighters, the Viggen and the improved J35F Draken, would be more expensive than expected and that fewer aircraft would be able to be purchased than planned. Claiming this was unacceptable, the Flygvapnet proposed the idea of the purchase and/or licensed production of an off the shelf light fighter with acceptable performance. Although a competition was never actually conducted, the aircraft considered were the Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, Fiat G.91, and the Dassault Épervier 1C. Crucially, the Épervier 1C contained a radar unlike the other two aircraft. The Épervier's delta wing was also a consideration, with the belief it would help with cross training to the Draken or Viggen. An initial order for 20 aircraft was made, which would be produced in France. These would be designated as the J36A Sparvhök in Flygvapnet service. The first five aircraft entered service with F11 Wing in 1966. Upon arrival in Sweden, the unpainted aircraft's avionics, including the Cyrano radar, were modified to work with Swedish weapons. Pilots and mechanics alike were pleased with the Sparvhök, and in 1968, Saab was granted a license for the production of additional aircraft. From 1971 through 1974, the surviving J36s went through a minor upgrade program, which included receiving the new splinter camouflage. Upgraded aircraft became designated J36C. The aircraft soldiered on in Sweden until 1991, when the light weight fighter was retired from combat service due to a diminishing Soviet threat. A few Sparvhöks continued to fly as adversary aircraft until 1994. There was no two seat model, as pilots would receive fast jet training in the SK 35 Draken. The Royal Danish Air Force was the only export customer, operating a handful of heavily modified J36s in the anti-shipping role from 1976 to 1988 in conjunction with their F-35 Draken force. A total of 66 aircraft were built. 3 Quote
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