Saab JA37 Viggen 37319 (code 59) taxiing at Farnborough. Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne. Swedish Air Force interceptor from F13 Wing, captured in Cold War operational trim.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
Photographer: Stuart H. Bourne
Aircraft: Saab JA37 Viggen
Registration: 37319
Military Code: 59
Unit: Swedish Air Force, F13 Wing
Configuration: Taxiing
This image by Stuart H. Bourne captures Saab JA37 Viggen 37319 (code 59) taxiing in full operational trim. The JA37 was Sweden’s dedicated interceptor variant of the Viggen, equipped with a powerful radar and optimized for air defense missions during the Cold War.
Airframe 37319 was assigned to the F13 Wing at Norrköping-Bråvalla, one of Sweden’s key air defense units. It was photographed during its appearance at the 1982 Farnborough Airshow, where the Viggen demonstrated its short-field performance and reverse thrust capability to international audiences.
The JA37 featured a more powerful RM8B engine and a revised avionics suite compared to earlier strike variants. Its role was to intercept Soviet aircraft over the Baltic, and it remained in service until the late 1990s before being replaced by the JAS 39 Gripen.
This listing is ideal for collectors and Cold War aviation historians. The image documents a rare public appearance of a Swedish interceptor in active service, captured by a renowned aviation photographer.
