1/48 MPM JAS 39C Gripen 

by Jan Jezl

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  Czech Republic National Day 2006 

 

First of all I have to say one thing: It was this website which brought my attention about 3 years ago and it was the first kick off to return back to the world of scale modeling. And together with other (mostly) Czech websites and discussion forums I finally not only got back to the modeling, but I become many times more active than ever before. All of these three years I am almost daily visiting this site and today I finally decided to present my work here.

And there can be hardly better way for my very first submission here than on national day of my country with the kit representing the last addition to the Czech Airforce (and actually with my first jet, first 1/48 kit as well first kit with Czech national markings all after about 15 years I did something like this last time).

The subject represents JAS 39C Gripen, the fourth generation jet fighter developed and produced by SAAB in Sweden. 20 pieces of the currently most advanced JAS 39C version as well as 2 two-seaters JAS-39D were ordered in 2004 with delivering starting from April 2005 sending obsolete MiG-21 aircraft to the avionic heaven.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The kit is MPM "best choice" edition. It consists of the Italery kit, ton of resin, some coloured photoetched parts, perfect decals for any of the Czech Gripens and four pages colour walkaround.

I was quite disappointed with plastic parts and also the fit of the resin was in most cases far from being perfect. Plastic parts lacked any details and recessed panel lines resembled those on kits 20 years old. I tried to correct this as much as possible by sanding, filling and rescribing. I riveted the kit, added some details especially on the wheel legs and into the avionics behind pilot seat.

Well, to build this it took me about four months of my life turning into the big hassle during last couple of weeks and I am sure this is my last Gripen for at least next 15 years. On other hand I am quite happy to have this aircraft in my collection and as it is hardly possible to see better kit of this subject in many following years, this is actually the only way how to get it.    

Jan 

Photos and text © by Jan Jezl