Swedish Air Force Saab SK37 Viggen Historic display at Stord Airshow 2018
This was the very first display performed by this two-seat Viggen, after spending nearly a decade in the hangar since its retirement from service in the Swedish Air Force in 2007.
Today it is the only operational aircraft of this type in the world.
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Swedish Air Force Historic Flight (abbreviated in Swedish as SwAFHF ) is an association that flies former Swedish Air Force aircraft and maintains them in an airworthy condition.
SwAFHF has been active since 1998 and is housed in premises of the F 7 Såtenäs air force wing. SwAFHF is authorized by the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration and the aircraft have civilian Swedish aircraft registration.
The Saab 37 Viggen (“Thunderbolt”) is a retired Swedish single-seat, single-engine, short-medium range combat aircraft. Development work on the type was initiated at Saab in 1952 and, following the selection of a radical delta wing configuration, the resulting aircraft performed its first flight on 8 February 1967 and entered service in 21 June 1971.
The Viggen holds the distinction of being the first canard design to be produced in quantity.
Related Link: Tunnan-Lansen-Draken-Viggen-Gripen
The Viggen was also the most advanced fighter jet in Europe until the introduction of the Panavia Tornado into operational service in 1981.
Several distinct variants of the Viggen were produced to perform the roles of strike fighter (AJ 37), aerial reconnaissance (SF 37), maritime patrol aircraft (SH 37) and a two-seat trainer (SK 37). In the late 1970s, the all-weather fighter-interceptor aircraft JA 37 variant was introduced.
In November 2005, the Viggen was retired from service by the Swedish Air Force, the sole operator of the type, having been replaced by the newer Saab JAS 39 Gripen.
