Background
Its official designation is Bombkapsel m/90, BK90. Unofficially it is named Mjölner, after the hammer used by the Norse god Thor, which he could throw hard, far and accurately. As it is designed by DASA, formerly MBB, some features are similar to their MW1 dispenser for Tornado. The DASA designation is the DWS 24 (Dispenser Weapon System, 24 dispenser tubes), but it has also been referred to as DWS 39, as it was intended for JAS 39 Gripen. Range when launched at 50 m altitude and Mach 0.9 is more than 10 km in the direction the aircraft is flying, or 5 km to the side of the aircraft's path. Two types of sub munitions are carried, one the MJ1, a 4.0 kg air bursting warhead used against soft targets; the other, MJ2 weighing 18 kg has a proximity fused anti-armour warhead. The MJ2 can also useful against semi hardened targets. Navigation is by INS and radar altimeter.
Contents
Inside the re sealable bag is two resin casting blocks to build one dispenser. contents include:
-1 x dispenser fuselage.
-4 x small winglets.
-1 x set of instructions.
The resin parts are contained in a smaller bag for extra security. The quality of the castings is very good indeed. There is some fine recessed panel lines and rivet/screw detail. There is a slight raised strip on top which I presume is the attachment point for pylon [no pylon included]. The four separate flying surfaces for the tail and the two attached to the fuselage are beautifully thin. The four tail flying surfaces have tiny locating pins, so be careful not to damage them removing them from the thin film of resin that attaches them to the casting block. The casting block on the rear of the fuselage will be very easy to remove.
Instructions do not have any drawn illustrations, but the written and the two photographic images of the Mjölner will help you put this together. The only thing that’s missing are colour references.
A little research finds that the Mjölner can be hung from stations 4,2,3 and 5 on the Viggen and 3H and 3V on the Grippen.
A great source of information about Swedish AF aircraft is
X-plane.
Conclusions
This rather attractive if deadly piece of hardware is nicely created and very simple to put together. I’m sure it will shortly find its way onto many modelers Gripens and Viggens. Nice one Maestro Models, how about a 1/48 version please.
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