Back in 1950, the Swedish Air Force set out a specification for a new jet fighter with a top speed of Mach 1.8. Saab from Sweden came with a proposal with Project (R)1200 and later the Model 35. The design had a double delta layout as it was thought that high speed performance combine with a relatively good field take-off and landing performance would be a good compromise. It would also have to be relatively cheap to operate by "neutral" Sweden and have sufficient range, not an easy task for the time with high fuel burning jet engines. The aerodynamic design was troublesome as the high speed Mach aerodynamics were new for the time and it was decided to also make a small design test plane, the Sqaab. This was a 70% scale testbed. This resulted in 1952 with a further project go ahead that eventually led to the Saab J-35 being referred to as the Draken (Dragon in Swedish).
Several variants would appear such as the first J-35A from 1960 and the fully operational interceptor J-35B. More powerfull engine variants of the Svenska flugmotor RM6, which was based on the Rolls Royce Avon engine, appeared as well. A trainer version was the Sk-35C and later the Sk-35XD. The J-35D had redesigned intakes and better systems and became in 1963 operational. The J-35E was known as the S-35E as it was a reconnaisance version with change nose and camera's in the wing. The J-35F was a much improved interceptor with newer systems, better visibility canopy and better RM6C engine with new afterburner. The port wing canon was deleted and it could carry RB27 semi-active radar missiles and AIM-4/26 Falcon missiles. The J-35F-2 also later got an infrared sensor pod below the radar nose (later retrofitted to all J-35F planes). It became operational in 1965 and was the backbone of the home Swedish Air Force. Several export variants also appeared, the Draken being exported to Danmark, Austria (J-35O) and Finland.
The J-35J is a further improved J-35F having upgrades to systems, strengthened wing able to carry additional armament pylons and became available around 1985. It also could carry the AIM9 Sidewinder missile. About 66 planes were upgraded until eventually replaced by the Saab Jakt Viggen and Saab Gripen types.
Saab J-35 Draken
This Danish Saab J-35 Draken is located at Castle Egeskov, about 30km south of Odense, Danmark. It is not entirely in original condition but has a photo reconnaissance nose.
Photographed August 2012 by Peter Booij (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Saab J-35 Draken
This Saab J-35J Draken is located at the museum Aeroseum, near GÖTEBORG in Sweden. It is inside a former mountain hangar of the former Swedish Airforce wing F 9 Säve.
Photographed August 2012 by Peter Booij (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Saab J-35 Draken
This J-35 is also located at the museum Aeroseum, near GÖTEBORG in Sweden.
Photographed August 2012 by Peter Booij (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
J-35A
This J-35A Draken has the traditional Swedish AF camouflage. This aircraft was seen at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
SK 35XD (TF-35)
This Danish twoseater TF-35 has an arrestor hook and no guns.
Photographed by Fred Bachofner (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
and another aircraft:
J-35A Draken
This J-35A coded "16 / 36" (c/n 35069) is seen in a Swedish AF scheme and was used by F16 wing at Uppsala in Sweden as fighter. This aircraft is on display at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace located at Le Bourget airport in Paris (France).
Photographed April 2016 by Meindert de Vreeze (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
TF-35XD
This two seater aircraft c/n 35-1151 is a former Danish aircraft coded "AT-151". With civil registration N166TP it was used to train test pilots at the NTPS at Mojave, Ca.USA. Seen at the Mojave airfield.
Photographed November 2015 by Cees Henrikds (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
In 1/72 scale many kits were issued many years ago like from Airfix, Heller including a two seater, and very old Revell kits. Now the best 1/72 scale kit is from Hasegawa and Hasegawa also has a nice kit in 1/48 scale. No larger scale kits are known.
Kijk ook bij de special over de Draken hier op de IPMS site....
This walk around page was first created August 2012 by M. de Vreeze