Saab AJ37 Viggen 37093 (code 14-6) captured in full afterburner climb. Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne, this Cold War-era Swedish strike fighter showcases raw power and delta-canard elegance.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
Photographer: Stuart H. Bourne
Aircraft: Saab AJ37 Viggen
Registration: 37093
Military Code: 14-6
Configuration: Full afterburner climb
This dramatic image by Stuart H. Bourne captures Saab AJ37 Viggen 37093 (code 14-6) in a full afterburner climb, showcasing the aircraft’s raw thrust and aerodynamic precision. The AJ37 variant was Sweden’s primary strike fighter during the Cold War, designed for low-level attack missions with advanced avionics and short-field performance.
Built by Saab AB, the Viggen was the first European combat aircraft to feature a digital central computer and integrated flight control system. Its delta-canard layout enabled exceptional maneuverability and STOL capability, allowing operations from dispersed road bases as part of Sweden’s decentralized defense strategy.
Airframe 37093 served with the F 6 Wing and was often seen in public displays, including Farnborough 1976, where it demonstrated reverse thrust and short-field agility. Though some records ambiguously list this aircraft as 37091, its operational identity as 14-6 is well documented in Swedish Air Force archives.
This listing is ideal for collectors and Cold War aviation historians. The image captures a rare moment of Swedish aerospace engineering at full power—an afterburner climb that defines the Viggen’s legacy.
