BY BILL ENGAR
FLIGHT PLAN: ATLANTIS #L570 1/48 SUPERSONIC J-35 DRAKEN ASSEMBLY KIT -- REQUIRES GLUE AND PAINT, NOT INCLUDED -- 50 PARTS -- MODEL LENGTH 12.5", WINGSPAN 9.75" -- RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14 AND UP -- MSRP (2025) $US 24.99 -- INCLUDES MANY MOVING PARTS!
Saab's J-35 Draken (Dragon, or "kite" in Swedish) was the first Western European aircraft to fly over Mach-2. It was very advanced for its day with pre-production prototypes first flying in 1955. The aircraft was introduced into service in 1960. Later variants had a top speed faster than the much newer F-16, of similar size and empty weight to the Draken. Austria was the final military service using the Draken with retirement of the type in 2005.
Adams was a small, lesser-known model company that released a handful of very interesting kits including this 1/48 Saab Draken. Atlantis now owns the Draken tooling. Like the aircraft it represents, the model, released in 1959 (before the Draken entered service), has a number of innovative features.
Adams was a small, lesser-known model company that released a handful of very interesting kits including this 1/48 Saab Draken. Atlantis now owns the Draken tooling. Like the aircraft it represents, the model, released in 1959 (before the Draken entered service), has a number of innovative features.
We love this original, vintage Adams box art depicting an earlly Saab J-35 Draken unleashing a barage of missiles!
Adams only lasted a couple years in the late 1950's. Their tooling went to UPC and then LifeLike before being acquired by Lindberg. Atlantis acquired some tooling from Round2 and we assume the Draken was one of those pieces. Lindberg Models last released it in the 1980’s.
Atlantis Models' Supersonic J-35 Draken kit has 50 parts molded in silver plastic, perfect for those builders who'd like a quick project with minimal detail painting. A two-piece canopy is molded in clear plastic and a tiny rubber band is included for the "firing missiles" feature.
The finished model has a number of great "Action Features." It has an (optional!) centerline missile launcher pod that can fire a small barrage of rubber-band powered missiles when completed! The canopy can swing open to view the detailed pilot figure. The landing gear moves -- it can be deployed and retracted and the wheels roll! The forward gear includes a separate fender which is a nice detail.
Two sprues have the small parts. Note that the vertical tail has recessed panel lines!
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The pilot figure is nicely detailed.
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The canopy is crystal-clear! The tiny rubber band reminds us of the type used with teeth braces!
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It’s a pretty big model (12.5” long with a nearly 10” wingspan). At $24.99 MSRP (at time of 2025 posting), it’s a model kit bargain! While we love Atlantis' eclectic selection of model kits in "fit the box" scales, the Draken is a pretty tight fit in that standard Atlantis aircraft kit box that we enjoy so much. Being 1/48-scale, it will be at home with your other 1/48 aircraft (including Atlantis' 1/48 Jenny and of course their great tank models!).
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Atlantis provides only the highest quality decal sheets and the Draken's is nicely done. In addition to Swedish markings, decals are included for Austrian and Danish Drakens (the triangle is Austrian Air Force and the cross-flag and small circles are Danish). There are no decal guides in the instructions, but the box art will be helpful for placement of the Swedish markings. In our bonus features, we'll include photos and information that will clarify placement of all markings.
The kit does not appear to be difficult to build. Any modeler with experience using glue to assemble a model airplane should be able to complete the model with no problems. |
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More experienced builders will note some minor sinkholes on a few parts that will benefit from some filler putty if the goal is to build a contest-grade model (the biggest sinkhole is visible in our photo of the pilot figure). A two-part assembly makes up the fuselage and outer wings with minor seams on the sides of fore and aft fuselage. These parts fit together very nicely as do the other parts we dry-fit. The kit is well-engineered considering the period in which it originated.
This second of two sprues with small parts has the missile-firing pod, main landing gear, ejection seat and wing-rockets.
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There is some minor flash and mold parting lines that will need some cleanup. The tooling appears to have aged well, or Atlantis has done a great job of mold-cleanup. It's hard to believe that the molds are old enough to be eligible for Social Security and Medicare (in the USA). They don't look a day over 50.
The fuselage/inner wings have petite raised panel lines. Outer wings and tail have prominent engraved panel details. This was pretty rare on a 1950's kit. The landing gear and canopy have retainers that hold them in place so they'll move. Be careful with your glue if you want to retain the "moving parts" features. The rear wheels have retainer pins that slip through the wheel and glue inside a hole in the landing gear struts. Again, be careful gluing if you'd like rolling wheels. |
Personally, I'm conflicted regarding moving parts. They're a lot of fun and I recall enjoying them when I was buying models with paper route money. If building for a contest, I'd glue the parts in place so the alignment is perfect for display (and picky contest judges). If you can't make up your mind, the easiest solution is to buy two kits, one as a quick-build with the operating features that can be finished over a weekend and the contest version that will take longer to finish as a striking display piece.
Box sides include a lot of information about the kit as is customary for Atlantis Models. That's a photo of a built model by the late, great Andy Yanchus (note for decal placement purposes!)
The oversize rocket pod isn't--how shall we put it--extremely accurate. In our search of reference material for this article, we couldn't find a large centerline belly tank or rocket launcher on the Swedish Air Force Drakens. Later Swedish versions of the Draken had a smaller pair of side-by-side centerline tanks. There are plenty of photo references of Danish Drakens with a pair large side-by-side fuel tanks which hang very low to the ground, so there is at least some basis for reality with the centerline "rocket pod." Of course you can always leave the rocket pod off the model. Regardless of whether or not you decide to use the pod on the model, we're sure you're going to want to try it out--it's a lot of fun! Be care when firing the missiles--don't shoot your eye out! Now is a good time to remind modelers to keep all small parts away from young children to prevent possible accidents.
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Instructions include images (in English) from vintage, original artwork printed on high-grade coated paper. Note that no decal placement reference is included -- we'll include that for all schemes in our Bonus Features for this page.
We're guessing you'll need some weight in the nose to keep the front landing gear on the ground. There are no internal bulkheads. The advanced or intermediate modeler might consider scratch-building some sort of internal bulkheads to provide the impression of an engine inside the aircraft instead of an empty cavern with openings visible at the other end.
Another item inside the fuselage for the gotta-scratch-build-it advanced (or advancing intermediate modeler) are wheel wells. Being a vintage kit, the wheel wells are open to the rest of the fuselage cavern. Boxing them in means cutting pieces of sheet plastic to fit around the sides of the openings and trimming them so the wing halves fit over them without gaps. You can also add reinforcing ribs and hydraulic bits such as fluid lines and actuators if you want.
There's nothing from keeping you going all-out scratch-building an afterburner exhaust inside that big tailpipe. It goes without saying that no such internal components for intakes or exhaust are included. Cockpit details such as an instrument panel and side consoles could be scratch-built. There isn't much room; the Draken, particularly the early version depicted in this kit, had a notoriously tight cockpit!
Another item to consider scratch-building for the advanced modeler is the 4th landing gear below the afterburner. This was a distinctive feature of the long-tailpipe Drakens and Adams decided not to add it to the kit. We have a photo of it in our Bonus section and there are many references online. You could cut an opening in that fairing and add a wheel well, or make it easier and simply glue some simple gear doors and a deployed (scratch-built) strut and wheels to the fairing.
Another item inside the fuselage for the gotta-scratch-build-it advanced (or advancing intermediate modeler) are wheel wells. Being a vintage kit, the wheel wells are open to the rest of the fuselage cavern. Boxing them in means cutting pieces of sheet plastic to fit around the sides of the openings and trimming them so the wing halves fit over them without gaps. You can also add reinforcing ribs and hydraulic bits such as fluid lines and actuators if you want.
There's nothing from keeping you going all-out scratch-building an afterburner exhaust inside that big tailpipe. It goes without saying that no such internal components for intakes or exhaust are included. Cockpit details such as an instrument panel and side consoles could be scratch-built. There isn't much room; the Draken, particularly the early version depicted in this kit, had a notoriously tight cockpit!
Another item to consider scratch-building for the advanced modeler is the 4th landing gear below the afterburner. This was a distinctive feature of the long-tailpipe Drakens and Adams decided not to add it to the kit. We have a photo of it in our Bonus section and there are many references online. You could cut an opening in that fairing and add a wheel well, or make it easier and simply glue some simple gear doors and a deployed (scratch-built) strut and wheels to the fairing.
Here's the view that will greet you upon first opening the kit box. Yup, that's a pretty big model! It fills Atlantis' standard box used for many of their aircraft kits. At $24.99, it's an honest-to-goodness bargain for a 1/48-scale jet.
Since the model kit was originally engineered and released in 1959, one year before the Draken became operational, it does represents the early version of the airplane. While the box art shows a shorter afterburner section like the prototypes, the actual model does have the extended afterburner like the later variants. The cockpit canopy was enlarged for better visibility (and to add some badly needed room for the pilot) with the later variants and this one has the low-profile canopy. To our knowledge, there aren't any other early versions of the Draken available from any major injection-molded plastic kit makers--this is it! Personally, I really like the sleeker look of that older canopy depicted here.
This version of the box art was used to announce the model. It looks a lot like the original Adams box.
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Compare to the actual box art of the kit as-released.
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PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS: Kit instructions include a guide for painting the pilot and cockpit seat. We'd recommend using a metallic finish for the seat (black recommended in instructions). Cockpits of the Drakens were dark green (not zinc-chromate green/it appears to be more of a standard olive-drab).
It's really up to you whether or not you want to paint the airframe or leave it the natural plastic color. Of course it totally depends on how much time you want to spend on your build. In natural metal, the Drakens appeared to have a rather dull appearance. Any silver paint or spray finish made specifically for styrene plastic should work well. We like to wash all parts in soapy water (dish soap works well) and let them air-dry before painting. Masking off different panels and using slightly different shades of finish can produce a striking and realistic model for the builder willing to go to this extra effort. |
The back of the box has a nice photo of the decal art plus images of three of our favorite classic (former Revell) model kits, the P2V Neptune, B-58 and D-558-2 Skyrocket.
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Nose radome for this scheme is a semi-gloss black. The nose probe is black and white stripes (see box art). A semi-gloss should work well here. Tips of the vertical stabilizer and wings are gloss-red as is the small blade-stabilizer at the top-center of the fuselage. The red stripe just behind the nose is included on the decal sheet. Landing gear (and wheel hubs) are silver metallic; tires will be your favorite tire-black. Wheel wells (and inside of gear doors) metallic. Canopy framing is metallic as well.
The rockets could be all dark-green, or all-white, or dark-green with white tips--your choice.
The inside of the model (except the cockpit area) should be painted a flat-black. This will be most visible near the engine inlets and exhaust.
The more we examine this model kit, the more we like it. This one should satisfy sophisticated builders who like the Draken (and want to build the early version!). It's a good base for adding some additional detailing. For those who want an easygoing, fun build, there will be plenty of satisfaction and the moving parts should provide hours of fun! It's an incredible value at its low, low price.
We recommend this kit and give it four enthusiastic thumbs up! Pick up an Atlantis Supersonic J-35 Draken today from your favorite retailer or order direct from Atlantis!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS AWESOME KIT FOR US TO REVIEW AND ENJOY!!!
The rockets could be all dark-green, or all-white, or dark-green with white tips--your choice.
The inside of the model (except the cockpit area) should be painted a flat-black. This will be most visible near the engine inlets and exhaust.
The more we examine this model kit, the more we like it. This one should satisfy sophisticated builders who like the Draken (and want to build the early version!). It's a good base for adding some additional detailing. For those who want an easygoing, fun build, there will be plenty of satisfaction and the moving parts should provide hours of fun! It's an incredible value at its low, low price.
We recommend this kit and give it four enthusiastic thumbs up! Pick up an Atlantis Supersonic J-35 Draken today from your favorite retailer or order direct from Atlantis!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS AWESOME KIT FOR US TO REVIEW AND ENJOY!!!
BONUS FEATURE
REFERENCE PHOTOS TO ASSIST WITH PAINTING AND DECAL PLACEMENT
SWEDISH MARKINGS:
This is one of the Draken prototypes, known as "Red Urban." This aircraft has the bottom wing insignia on the wingtip.
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This is the underside of a very early J-35 (sleeker canopy and short afterburner). Note the insignia positioning difference between this and the prototype.
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The model has decals for three schemes. The top third of the sheet (plus the red, curved stripe) is the Swedish scheme for the early aircraft in existence when the model kit was released in 1959. Note that the top of the vertical fin is red. The yellow "SAAB 35" scripts go on the red fin-top. The blue "A's" go on the vertical fin as well. The photo on the kit box side will be helpful for posititioning these.
These Drakens have the extended afterburner (like the kit plastic), but the aircraft in the foreground has the early low-profile canopy. Note position of the bottom-wing insignia on the inboard wing--there are no weapons hardpoints or wing strakes in this location.
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Note that this aircraft is a two-seat trainer (35C) with short afterburner-tailpipe. The upper-wing insignias are located on the outboard wing sections.
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DANISH MARKINGS:
Denmark purchased their J-35's starting in the 1960's. If you're particular about accuracy, they are the later variants (J-35F) with the taller cockpit. In this export version, they were designated Saab 35XD. These were finished in flat dark-green.
Decals for this version are located at the left-bottom corner of the decal sheet. The Danish wing roundels are very small; these will be placed on top and bottom of each wing.
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This photo shows where the Danish Air Force roundels go on the bottom of the wing--same location as on the Swedish planes.
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AUSTRIAN MARKINGS
The Austrian Air Force acquired their J35's in the mid-1980's. Theirs were J-35D's retired by the Swedish Air Force and refurbished for use by the Austrians. These were finished in a two-tone air superiority flat-gray scheme similar to USAF F-16's with a lighter gray on the underside of the aircraft. The top-forward of the fuselage is FS 36270, rear-top fuselage and wing is FS 36118 and the bottom of the aircraft is FS 36495. Radome is semi-gloss black.
The Austrian Air Force acquired their J35's in the mid-1980's. Theirs were J-35D's retired by the Swedish Air Force and refurbished for use by the Austrians. These were finished in a two-tone air superiority flat-gray scheme similar to USAF F-16's with a lighter gray on the underside of the aircraft. The top-forward of the fuselage is FS 36270, rear-top fuselage and wing is FS 36118 and the bottom of the aircraft is FS 36495. Radome is semi-gloss black.
The fin and front of the aircraft are a lighter gray than the rear horizontal surfaces. The bottom is a lighter shade of gray. Radomes are black.
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Austrian Drakens have a single insignia on the top of the wing, left side only. The other insignia will go on the bottom of the right wing.
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Decals for the Austrian Air Force scheme consist of four insignias (white triangle in the red circle) and a pair of tail numbers (24). They're located roughly in the middle of the decal sheet. Austrian aircraft only have one roundel on the top of the wing (left side) and one on the bottom (left side). We've seen photos of Austrian Drakens with the bottom roundel either on the outer wing and some on the inner wing similar to the Swedish and Danish planes.
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Also included on the decal sheet is a circular J-35 "patch" that can go on Atlantis' swivel-display stand (sold separately). Or, it can go on the base of your choice to display the model.
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