Three examples of jet trainer set to fly on after service retirement
The 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Saab 105 prototype is being commemorated by the Swedish Air Force with a special colour scheme being worn by an SK 60, which has the appropriate serial 60105. It was on 29 June 1963 that the prototype made its maiden flight at Linköping. The type entered Flygvapnet service in 1967 as the SK 60. Two Saab employees behind the 60th anniversary livery, Tobias Holmbom and Johan Elvin, were inspired by the historic colours and markings of the Swedish Air Force’s de Havilland Tiger Moths of the 1930s.
The SK 60 is currently used to train future pilots at the Flygskolan stationed at Malmen air base, Linköping, but it is being replaced by the turboprop Grob G120TP, locally designated as the SK 40. However, display pilot Capt Nils Schylström reports that 60105, along with two other examples — serials 60062 and 60125 — in the colours of the former Team 60 aerobatic team, will then be transferred to the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight to join its existing SK 60, 60140/SE-DXG. That example differs from those in current Flygvapnet service by being fitted with the type’s original Volvo RM9 (Turbomeca Aubisque) powerplants, whereas the active fleet was re-engined with more efficient Williams International FJ44s.
