Hi All
I'm thinking of building my first aircraft kit for about 20 years or so.
I would like to build a SAAF Gripen C in 1/48 scale, but I can only find Italeri's Gripen A.
Is there any visible external differences between the two versions, could I build a C out of the box?

TIA

Hi David,
Here's Gripen's official website and some more.
Jas 39 Gripen
JAS 39 Gripen - an overview, technical data and photos
JAS 39 Gripen in Detail
Hannants JAS 39C

JAS 39C Gripen (conversion set for Italeri)
CMK 4148 -- CMK -- 1/48


I think that this is A versions cockpit.

And this is the C version.

I hope that this will help you a wee bit David, good luck!

Hi Jan

Thanks for the help. I think that I'll be giving Hannants a ring tomorrow.

Cheers
Dave.

Hi again David.
You're welcome mate, glad that I could be of help....

Hi David!

Only external difference between the JAS39 -A and -C is the refuelling probe and hatch.
Otherwise all changes are in the instrument panel and consoles, so you can build a -C using the Italeri kit.

CMK makes a couple of detail sets that are very good, and Eduard have a pre-painted etch set where you get panels for BOTH versions!
Don´t have any product numbers, but a search on Hannants will show you what´s available.

A nice site for Gripen fans;

http://www.gripen.com/en/index.htm

Cheers!

Stefan E

Many thanks Stefan.

On the Hannants site, I found a conversion set made by Best Choice for a Gripen C (it seems to contain the Italeri kit along with some P.E. and resin parts).
Has anybody got opinions about the set?

Cheers guys
Dave.

David, I found this.....

MPM Preview - BEST CHOICE 1/48
JAS 39C Gripen

MPM has announced a new series of kits, with the following information about their Premiere release:
MPM Production arranged new line of plastic kits in limited edition named BEST CHOICE.
Plastic kits, which will be released in this edition, will be supplied with lot of resin and photo-etched parts, scale drawings and very interesting detail photos. This is limited edition of only 999 pieces.
Further, this edition is destined for the top skill modelers and its goal is to offer all essential parts in one box without a need of buying additional complementary sets or reference materials. The superior
edition´s attractiveness is further enhanced by numbered certificatef and the fact that only 999 pieces of these kits will ever exist.
The first kit in this edition to be released is
JAS 39C Gripen Czech Air Force in 1/48 scale.
The only one kit of this version in this scale on the market.

The assembly kit contains:

- Italeri´s plastic parts

- CMK´s resin parts for cockpit, undercarriage

bays, antennas´masts, wheels, engine´s

exhaust, airbrakes, pylons

- Conversion parts for JAS 39C Gripen Czech

Air Force

- Landing and landing lights made from

clear resin

- Vacuum formed canopy

- Colored photo-etched parts for cockpit,

gun sight, ejection handles, warning straps

- Hobby Manual – color reference photos of

the real aircraft (4 pages, A4 size)

- Huge decal sheet containing stencils and

and formation lights

- Design drawing of JAS 39C Czech Air Force

in 1/48 scale

- Camouflage profiles in color for 10 machines

including stencil placement

- Color assembly instructions´sheet

This kit is intended for experienced modelers, who handle work with photo-etched and resin parts. This kit is not in any case intended for beginners or less experienced modelers. The kit,
considering the superior complementary accessories, is offered for a very favorable price

Jan,
thanks for taking the time to look up that info for me.
I've ordered a set from Hannants, sounds really good.

Cheers
Dave.

You're welcome David, I'm glad that I could help you out a wee bit, not a problem at all..... Good luck with the build.

Hi Dave

here is a build article ...you could have chosen an easier re-start on a/c:

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal6/5401-5500/gal5495_Gripen_Jezl/gal5495.htm

good luck

Steffen

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

That's the way it goes sometimes.
I've built some resin AFV kits over the last few years, some of those were really crappy air bubbles held togehter with bits of resin.

If it gets too much, there's always beer

Cheers Steffen.

Dave.