The YouTube algorithm must have decided that since I enjoy searching for videos of obscure Cold War era Russian fighters, I’d probably enjoy a twenty minute documentary in Swedish (with subtitles) about Saab Viggen operations. Joke’s on you, algorithm, because I’m into that too!
Anyway, because sharing is caring, here’s the video.
I’ve always liked the look of the Viggen, probably ever since I had a little diecast toy version as a kid. That huge double-delta wing and canards, the massive single engine fed by side air intakes, the slightly odd tandem main gear arrangement – it all makes for a completely unmistakable and visually distinct aircraft.
Of course, to an American airplane nut in the ’80s and ’90s, it was also something that we’d never get to see at an airshow, and only get rare glimpses of on some kind of aviation documentary on the History channel (back when History mostly showed actual historic things, and not just reality shows). All to say that one of my favorite things about modern YouTube is that you can find all sorts of videos that you would never otherwise even have the opportunity to see.
In that vein, here’s one more Viggen video from a Norwegian airshow two years ago. This marked the airshow debut of the only flying two seat Viggen trainer, after the airframe had sat in storage for ten years. Rockin’ the world and setting off car alarms!