The SAAF Forum

So I got very lucky with a pair of Italeri Gripen purchases at a modelling contest for a steal, not a hot topic for the locals. One purchase came from a vendor who knew about our mothballed Gripens.
To be honest, the Gripen was not on my radar at all. Once I got home, it twigged that the single seater I had was an "A" and not a "C".
So, in modelling terms, what is the difference between the "A" and "C"?

I noticed that some of the detail looks wanting, like the exhaust. I'm sure I will be hunting for 3 bang seats as that is usually a good upgrade in appearance, and does not suck on one's wallet.

What weapons or anything else did the SAAF hang from the aircraft?
Was there any other colour scheme than the usual of the Gripen family?

Looking forward to some input and ideas.

I have only seen the grey diamond scheme at airshows.
Weapons for the wingtip pylons we use the effective assegaai spear version of green rocket less missile, and cow pats and mealie bombs are frequently seen from ters under centre line and under wings.
Theres also a white pole type sensor under one of the intakes that I think is for when the pilot cant see.
I also heard that we use miners lamps on the undercarriage gear in place of the electric type ( eskom ) so that is another distinguishing feature of a saaf gripen.
Hope this helps as Im working from memory , these capable weapons have apparently run out of juice and have a homely camphour smell in lieu of those noxious and nasty avgas vapours, very unique in the aviation world.
Maybe some other guys can add to this list.


G

GBU-12 Paveway II
MK82 or 83 free-fall bombs
Drop tank - afaik the SAAF only has the large centreline type.
IRIS-T (small number purchased as a stop-gap until A-Darter becomes available - but don't hold your breath)

No BVR AAM
No Air to Ground missiles - I haven't heard of any plans to qualify Mokopa on the Gripen

Plus the Rafael LITENING III targeting pod and the Thales Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod (DJRP).

Note that not only does the C differ from the A in a number of ways, but the SAAF's Cs differ slightly in appearance from all the other Cs in service. The most obvious difference is in the EW sensors on the wingtip missile rails, which are of a different design for the SAAF's Gripen Cs because of the type's unique EW suite. Other Gripen operators use the standard EWS 39 system.