Saab JAS 39 Gripen Colours and Markings
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Authors: Michal Ovcacik & Karel Susa
Publisher: Mark I Ltd
ISBN: 978-80-86637-35-8
Binding: Softcover (plus decal sheet)
Pages: 28
Available in 1/144, 1/72, & 1/48
The Saab Gripen is an impressive aircraft, to be sure, but it has had a rather slow rise in the export world. This has changed in recent years, and Saab has enjoyed sales to Hungary, Czech Republic, South Africa, and most recently, Thailand. This newest title in the Mark I Colours and Markings series covers a dozen interesting JAS-39 Gripen aircraft from around the world.
As this is a Swedish aircraft, it is logical that the book begins with Swedish examples. This book covers five different Swedish aircraft, including JAS-39A 39101, the first production machine; JAS-39A 39117, finished in an early scheme with a black radome; JAS-39A 39176, finished in standard low-vis markings but with a smiling happy face on the tail; JAS-39A 39131, which features a large blue paw print on the upper fuselage/wing; and JAS-39B 39814, a standard scheme two-seater.
The remaining foreign options include two Hungarian, one South African, and one Thai. The first Hungarian one is JAS-39C 39301, which has full color national insignia. The second Hungarian option is a two-seater JAS-39D 39852, finished in standard full low-vis markings. The South African example is JAS-39C 3911 and is finished in standard low-vis markings, while the Thai option is JAS-39D 39860, finished with small full-color national markings.
Each of these schemes is presented in a color four-view illustration that shows marking placement, as well as a handful of photos showing overall airframe and detail views. The book finishes with a couple of pages of close-up detail photos documenting the cockpit and landing gear, as well as other areas. The decals are very nicely printed, but there is only one set of low-vis Czech and Swedish national insignia, and only one set of the Czech cat eyes for the canards. As it's not likely that one would build all dozen of these aircraft, that's not likely to be a problem.
Overall, this is a superb addition to the Mark I Dozen Set series, and it will offer some great options for the Gripen modeler. With decals provided in 1/144, 1/72, and 1/48 (each sold separately), there is undoubtedly something for every modeler. My thanks to Mark I Ltd for the review copy.