Reviewed by Mick Evans

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Beautifully moulded in a pale yellow coloured resin Maestro Models have produced five simple accessory and conversion sets for improving the Airfix/Esci SAAB 37 Viggen.  The old Airfix/Esci kit was first produced over 30 years ago under the Esci label before being re-released by Airfix in the last 10 years and still remains the only kit on the market in 1/48 scale.  The kit suffers from raised panel lines and is very much lacking in detail in the cockpit, wheel wells and engine exhaust areas and has blanked off engine intakes approximately 15mm down the intakes

K4810 - Air Duct with front fan for SAAB 37 Viggen

This set goes a long way to improving the engine intake detail in this kit.  The replacement air duct is designed as almost a straight drop in component.  The only major surgery required is the removal of the blanked area of the intake duct.  Maestro recommends trial fitting the duct between the fuselage halves as some trimming of the resin, or thinning of the fuselage walls may be needed for a snug fit.  The resin duct includes a very nicely moulded and cast engine compressor face, guide vanes and bullet fairing for the starter motor.

This is another excellent offering from Maestro models and only a moderate level of modelling experience is required for installation.

K4811 - Reconnaissance nose for SAAB SF37 Viggen

This set is designed as a straight replacement for the kit nose and requires very little work to install.  The set allows the modeller to produce the Reconnaissance version of the SAAB SF37 Viggen.  The nose is delightfully moulded with crisply formed camera ports.  A resin periscope mounting is supplied to be fitted to the right hand side of the fuselage just behind the nose.  A square piece of clear acetate is supplied to cut the camera port windows from, and this is probably the most difficult part of this installation.

This is another excellent offering from Maestro models and only a moderate level of modelling experience is required for installation.

K4812 - Jamming Pod U95 for SAAB JA37 Viggen

This set is designed as a straight fit straight on to the kit wing pylon and requires very little work to install.  The pod is normally carried on the right hand inboard pylon and allows for more flexibility for the load out of the kit.  The U95 jamming pod is crisply moulded and is easily removed from the casting block.

This is another excellent offering from Maestro models and only a low level of modelling experience is required for installation.

K4813 - Ejection Seat for SAAB 37 Viggen

This set is designed as a straight replacement for the kit seat and requires very little work to install.  The set allows the modeller to add a very accurate seat replacing the crude seat supplied with the kit.  The seat is delightfully moulded with crisply formed details and moulded seat restraint harnesses.  Careful painting will enhance the superb detail and add some realism to the rather dull kit cockpit.  Now all we need is a replacement cockpit.

This is another excellent offering from Maestro models and only a moderate level of modelling experience is required for installation.

K4814 - BOY 401 Chaff and Flare dispenser for SAAB JA37 Viggen

This set is designed as a straight fit straight on to the kit and only requires the removal of the front part of the inboard elevon actuator shroud from both sides of the lower wing surfaces.  The BOY 401 chaff and flare dispensers are crisply moulded and are easily removed from the casting block.

This is another excellent offering from Maestro models and only a low level of modelling experience is required for installation.

Thanks to Maestro Models for the review sample

Maestro Models accessories are available from RebellHobby website

Text Copyright © 2009 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2009 by Brett Green
Page Created 31 March, 2009
Last updated 31 March, 2009

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