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★ Starfish ★
I started this kit a while ago for a quick build without too much effort. Even though it's going to be the Czech version presented at the Tigermeet 2009, I used a Swedish pilot figure. Hopefully nobody will notice 🤫

Ferenc Sarka
Nice one. I like the shape of the Gripen. I made the revell type with Puma livery. I have the full decal sheet of the revell kit. If you need i can send it to you. Following.

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Ferenc! I chose to use decals for the Czech Tigerneet version!

★ Starfish ★
Trying something I haven't done before - as I do with most of my projects. This time I decided to mount the control surfaces at an angle so the aircraft looks a bit more "dynamic". I used a razor saw and my trusty hobby knife to cut out the flaps and slats. As far as I've seen at airshows, the control surfaces are positioned in these angles at the moment of touchdown.

★ Starfish ★
Here comes another update on the Gripen while I'm editing the build review video. I had to fill some gaps at the nose section, air intakes and wing roots. The pitot tubes will be replaced by brass tubes and the antennas will also need some work as they are too big. Canopy masking was straightforward after removing a seamline on the clear part.

Ludvík Kružík
I'd love to see the construction of the Czech Gripen. 👀

I hope I don't offend with a small remark. A common mistake when building this model is to remove the seam on the transparent cover.
The fact is that the seam belongs on this part.
dreamstime.com/edito..r-base-image66421755
defesaaereanaval.com..os-pilotos-do-gripen

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Ludvik! I didn't notice that the Gripen has this detonation cord 😓

DerMattes
Looking forward to your video!

★ Starfish ★
Danke 🙂

Ludvík Kružík
I'm also currently building an Italeri Gripen, but in 1:48 scale. From the photos of your kit build, it looks like the 1:72 and 1:48 scale Italeri Gripen models have some of the same flaws. The staircase in front of the cockpit windscreen, the cutout too deep for the hinged transparent cockpit overlay ...

Here's a description of the most visible flaws with instructions on how to fix them, might be useful: kits.kitreview.com/jas39agripenreviewrw_1.htm

★ Starfish ★
Thanks again Ludvik; I've seen both your Gripe and this article about the kit's flaws. I honestly did not invest too much time in this kit though. I did a few minor corrections on the antennas and pitot tubes but wasn't in the mood to do the other enhancements.

Ludvík Kružík
I understand that, you're just building it as a recreational model without heavy modifications. I believe the finished Gripen will still come out well.

Bernd Grün
Looks promising!👍 I'm in and take a seat.

★ Starfish ★
Danke Bernd 🙂

Ludvík Kružík
Nice progress, looks good. 👍

Is it me, or did you really adjust the position of the control surfaces on the leading edge of the wings?
It looks like they are in the correct position now. When the aircraft is on the ground, these surfaces are in neutral.

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Ludvik! On the final result the flaps and slats are slightly lowered, depicting a Gripen that is just touching down. From what I've seen at airshows the flaps are raised right after touchdown but I already superglued them on 😅

Guy Rump
Looking good! 👍

★ Starfish ★
Thank you!

Guy Rump
Lovely build, congrats! 👍

★ Starfish ★
Thanks mate!

★ Starfish ★
I had this kit in my stash for a while now and finally got to building it while I was looking for a quick project. My plan was to build it out of the box without any extras or scratchbuilding. However, in the end I added a pilot figure and sawed off the control surfaces to mount them in the extended position. Furthermore I created rivets and replaced the pitot tubes with brass tubes. All in all the outcome is definitely not perfect but I had a good time building this Gripen of the Czech Air Force! Make sure to check out my video if you're interested in all the details.

Ludvík Kružík
Nice result! 👍

★ Starfish ★
Thank you!

J35J
Great work👍🏻

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Mr. Draken 😊

Patrick Hagelstein
Nice build and cool video! Is there a Revell Bf 109G-10 in the works?

★ Starfish ★
@Patrick Thank you! Yes, there is - we'll observed 😉 I'll post some WIP photos soon

Patrick Hagelstein
😄👍🏼

Vincent
Excellent result. I also build this one some time ago and I really did not like the build. Yours looks much better with all the work done.

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Vincent! I think your Gripen looks just as good! Looks so powerfull with that heavy loadout!

Matt L
Happy seing more Gripen builds - hope we will see new Super JAS kits soon. Apparently it has jammed and flanked Eurofighter Typhoons in exercise.

★ Starfish ★
Wow, sounds like it has a great future ahead of it! Super Gripen - is that the E version?

Matt L
Yes E/F - Super JAS seems to be the nickname (just checked again). Frame is different so it will require a new model kit or maybe just some new parts.

The Gripen is one of the few true modern gen 4 "guerilla warfare" jets that can land on regular roads (due to its size and tech), diagnostics, refuel and fly again with the help of like 4-5 constripts and 1 trained specialist.

The NATO Typhoons and F-35s are excercising for road takeoffs now, the Finns have learned to use the F/A-18 for the road too (although it was never built for that) but the Gripen is built from the ground up to land, refuel and camoflage to hide in the woods, with a very small crew. Would love to see more diorama kits and more diorama builds with this in mind.

★ Starfish ★
I was actually thinking about a simple diorama like that with my unbuilt Viggen kit 😊 I might as well do it with one of my Draken

Matt L
Think there are old movies on Youtube where you can see how they camouflage the Viggen and Gripen jets refueling areas in the woods.

Parking in woods fits the Viggen cool Cold war hot tech "reverse thrust" mode too (doubt they used it that way though) 🙂

Matt L
Check the news from last year:

aviationweek.com/aer..ad-runway-operations

Kinda cool to see road training for platforms not built for it - it will make road dioramas with US, Finnish, Norwegian F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon RAF more believable, not only the Gripen.

Clearly the local NATO strategy for Scandinavia will require more of the other platforms.

Finn
Cool, well done indeed

★ Starfish ★
Thank you Finn and everyone who "liked" it 😊

Matt L
More inspiration: refueling and reloading a Gripen below 15 minutes (two cars and 5-6 people) - tires are heavier to land on regular roads, with a mobile crew they can move possible start and landing positions around:
Youtube Video

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
grippen B in progress