Not exactly sure where my interest in Swedish aircraft comes from. Could be because my Dad is from Minnesota and his relatives go back to Scandinavia including Sweden. But more than likely it is that cool splinter camouflage on the Viggen. No matter the reason this book is an excellent publication to wet that interest.

This 200-page hardback book covers exactly what the title says it does, every jet fighter operated by the Swedish Air Force up to today.

These are:

• Saab J 21R
• J 28A, B, C – DH.100 Vampire
• Saab J 29 Flygande Tunnan
• Saab J 32B Lansen
• J 33 DH.112 Venom
• J 34 Hawker Hunter
• Saab J 35 Draken
• Saab 37 Viggen
• Saab JAS 39 Gripen

There are two chapters for each type, the first covers the history of each plane including squadron use and first hand experience. The next chapter looks at the camouflage and markings each type wore.

The history chapters are very thorough. Starting with the conversion of the propeller driven Saab J 21 into the first jet aircraft operated by the Swedish Air Force by changing the powerplant to a British Goblin engine through several British and indigenous designs, right up to the Gripen’s combat action over Libya.

This history is backed up with many excellent photos of good size, progressing from mostly black and white with the earlier aircraft to all color photos of the Gripen. While not walk-around type photos they do give good overviews of the aircraft, their markings and some neat diorama ideas.

The camouflage and markings chapters are really the meat of this book as that is what the title is all about. Each page is devoted to one side profile and a photograph or two of that aircraft. There is also a page in each chapter that covers the colors from the topside and underwings. While it would be nice to have the full profile coverage of each airframe, the options shown give enough information to interpret the full markings.

The end of the book includes an Appendix covering National and registration markings including colors and fonts for the numbers and letters carried, and a list of FS colors for the camo used by each type.

All in all this is a great book for the historian and the model builder. Pretty much your one stop shop on the subject. In case you didn’t notice, I really liked this book.

Thanks to Casemate Publishers and IPMS/USA for the review sample.