JA 37  - SAAB 37 Viggen (1979-2004)

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All Swedish Air Force Wings have a site used for fire and rescue training. These photos from F 17 show the fore body of ex-JA 37 # 37304 used for training the moment to get a strapped and perhaps unconscious pilot out of the cockpit as soon as possible.

The marking of this aircraft had its own story. 37304 was once based at Wing F 21 at Kallax. Later it was transferred to Wing F 17 at Kallinge. When the aircraft had reached its maximum flying hours, and was due for scrapping, the tail fin was painted with the popular cartoon character Hagbard (Hagar the Horrible), the symbol of the 2nd Company.

After the transfer from our most northern Air Force Wing (F 21) to our most southern (F 17), the marking “21” on the nose was not changed to “17” as it should have been. But during the large exercise Baltic Link in 2000, the exercise commanders wanted a JA 37 displayed between the hangars at the breaking-up party at F 17.

Naturally the technicians at F 17 choose # 37004 with its decorated fin. To get the correct marking on the nose, the "2" in "21" was painted out and a yellow "7" of own design was added. Not a total success as you can see on the photo.

Thanks to Emil Lindberg of F 17 for this information.
 

© Lars Henriksson