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Charlie's report No. 1 :
Saab J35 Draken by Kari Virtanen

Reviewed by Crt (Charlie) Lopatic

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INTRODUCTION: Draken - old, but still fashionable fighter - was designed in late 1940s as interceptor. However, its design was later adapted for various of other roles, including reconnaissance and ground-support. Draken made its first test flight in 1955 and entered operational service with Swedish Air Force in 1960. It was first true supersonic design of Saab's factory (actually first Swedish jet to break the sound wall but unable to maintain supersonic cruise was S32 Lansen).
Today, Draken is retired from operational service with only exeption of Austria (J35 OE).

MODEL: As we go through the readme.txt file we notice that there are some components provided by other authors like Mikko Maliniemi and Oxyd. Mikko is well-known designer (lots of acrobatic planes, excellent BAe Hawk) whilst Oxyd may be less known in simviation sphere. I think Oxyd's icon is THE Mirage 2000 (which, unfortunatley, isn't avaliable at simviation). If we mark designers by evaluating their work, Oxyd indeed is a great designer. Kari Virtanen used Oxyd's afterburner design similar to that in Mirage 2000.

TEST FLIGHT - THE MOMENT OF TRUTH:

Allright! J35 is sitting on the parking ramp, Halli AB, Finland. Seat belts fastened, canpoy sealed - there's a little flaw: FS98 Lear panel. However, if you read the readme.txt carefully you know where to get proper panel.
Fast check and we're ready to bring engine to life. Although there is no custom engine-start sequence, there's another thing that makes missing sequence almost irrelevant: custom sounds. With plesant hum coming from the back we're ready to open the throttle for slow taxi to the lineup. External image of the plane is extraordinary! A great number of details plus correct deployment of elevators which have a secondary function of airbrakes (also animated with this FS model).
During takeoff we witness a magnificent escalation of kts (perhaps a bit too much power on full afterburner, when I watch real Drakens during takeoff they usually need more runway, however I might be wrong).
Oh, yes - a wonderful detail shows up in takeoff sequence: rotating wheels of the undercarriage.

Flight dynamics are also a jewel of this model; correct roll rates, exactly balanced controls... the only thing that makes Draken difficult and yet enjoyable is that Draken in fast! High takeoff and especially landing speeds make this plane rather unconventional. It takes some time to practice those no-flaps landings.

CONCLUSION: Only thing I can say is that there should be more models like this! It's great to sight a such a great designer and it's Finnsh aviation that gets a fine fine coverage from Kari's and Mikko's designs. If only there would be more designers like them!

RATE: I give this aircraft an absolute 100%! Compensating a custom-panel lack with like-real-aircraft flying, extra sound package and various of avaliable paint schemes (Finnish, Swedish, Austrian) this mark is more than justified. For comments, email me at c.lopatic@email.si

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