Saab JA37 Viggen 37424 (code 24) landing in plain grey livery. Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne. Swedish Air Force F16 interceptor in post-upgrade configuration, reflecting Cold War evolution.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
Photographer: Stuart H. Bourne
Aircraft: Saab JA37 Viggen
Registration / Serial: 37424
Military Code: 24
Unit: Swedish Air Force, F16 Wing
Configuration: Landing
Livery: Plain grey, no camouflage
This image by Stuart H. Bourne captures Saab JA37 Viggen 37424 (code 24) landing in a clean grey livery during its service with the F16 Wing of the Swedish Air Force. The JA37 was Sweden’s dedicated interceptor variant, equipped with upgraded radar, avionics, and the powerful RM8B engine for high-speed air defense missions.
The plain grey finish seen on 37424 reflects a strategic shift in Swedish Air Force doctrine during the late Cold War. Moving away from the earlier splinter camouflage, the grey livery offered reduced visual detection in overcast northern skies and aligned with NATO-style low-visibility standards. It also marked the aircraft’s transition into its final operational phase, often following JA37D upgrades that enhanced electronic countermeasures and radar capability.
Airframe 37424 was photographed at Mildenhall Air Fete 1998 as an early arrival for the weekend display. Its appearance in grey trim symbolized Sweden’s evolving defense posture and the Viggen’s enduring relevance even as the JAS 39 Gripen was entering service. You can view its airframe record on [Airport-Data](https://airport-data.com/aircraft/37424.html) and browse additional photos on [ABPic](https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1810046).
This listing is ideal for collectors, historians, and Cold War aviation enthusiasts. The image documents a rare moment of Swedish aerospace evolution—an upgraded Viggen in low-visibility grey, captured in active service at an international airshow.
