Your personal Swedish bomber

An orphaned supersonic warrior of Sweden's air defense against the USSR is sitting for sale in California. 

  • J35 Draken (the Dragon) photographed during an aerial demonstration at Malmen Airstrip, Sweden, in June, 2010. Photo: Kim Svensson - Försvarets Bildbyrå

  • Faster than the speed of sound, an airborne instrument of destruction, able to carry devastating charges including rockets and bombs, easily mistaken in its triangular, delta wing shape for an Area 51 type UFO - and it can be yours for a mere $175,000...and better yet, for you, is that the price is negotiable.

  • Two J35 Draken en route. Photo: Anders Nylén - Försvarets Bildbyrå.

  • Just pay and pick it up at the Stockton, California airport.

  • J35 Draken. Mileage depending on aerial space but estimate 500 gallons per hour in the air. Photo: Anders Nylén - Försvarets Bildbyrå

  • ...oh, yes...also be prepared to spend five dollars a gallon for gas...and, did we mention it eats over 500 gallons an hour?

  • The machine that's up for sale is a Swedish J35 Draken ("Draken" in Swedish means "kite" or "dragon"). It was the pride of Scandinavia's Cold War defenses, built by SAAB aviation. And it's not particularly out of date. Some remain in use, and have only vanished from Swedish skies in the nineties. Plus, since, it was the direct predecessor of its now plentiful JAS Gripen combined fighter and attack supersonic sister, it will probably be your last chance for at least 4-5 years to get a great deal on a piece of Swedish aerial surplus.

  • Back in 1960, Sweden sought a high altitude air defense interceptor. It entered service that same year and proved to be a reliable and durable aircraft that Denmark, Finland and Austria also bought for their air defenses. A single seat, double delta wing fighter, the J35 Draken originally cost about half a million dollars apiece, and it was capable of standing nose to nose in any aerial battle with the infamous Soviet Mig fighter jets.

  • Firing its afterburners, it can climb at almost 35,000 feet per minute until it reaches two times the speed of sound and climbs to heights up to 60,000 feet (with a space-suite type pressure costume for the pilot). Unfortunately, the standard set of two 30mm automatic cannons and its Sidewinder air to air missiles have been removed, but on the other hand, that will get some better miles per gallon.

  • Some remain in use, and today, one is parked at a hangar at Stockton Metropolitan Airport and its owner, Wolfe Aviation, is trying to sell the gas guzzling war bird to anybody who wants to fly far under its rated supersonic speed inside the USA (except with permission at Edwards Air Force Base). Otherwise, the prospective owner can only push the J35 Draken's pedal to the metal at sea and outside the American territorial limits.

  • Renovated a decade ago, this J35 Draken performed in 2003 at a Reno, Nevada air show, but fuel cost is the main reason that collectors and air museums are less than enthusiastic to own this classic jet. Replacement parts and tools are another added expense its future owner will encounter. But if you've got the space in your backyard, this is by far the Christmas Gift to satisfy youngsters (or the young at heart dad) in your affluent family.

  • For more info and to make your offer:
    www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/loose-bits-off-topic/430022-saab-j-35-draken-forsale.html