Czech Gripens taking-off from Malmslätt, Sweden.Czech Gripens have arrived Today 18 April 2005, the first six Czech Air Force Gripen aircraft arrived in the Czech Republic.The six (6) Gripen multi-role fighters, the latest C and D versions of the aircraft, are the first to be delivered to another countries Air Force. The aircraft were flown by three pilots from the Czech Air Force two from the Swedish Air Force and one from FMV. The flight, which departed from FMVâ´s facility outside Linköping, lasted for one hour.
- “The flight went very well. The Gripen aircraft was easy to handle and everything functioned perfectly", - said Czech Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mikulenka after landing at the Caslav air base in the Czech Republic, where the Gripens will be based.
In August 2005, a further eight (8) Gripens will follow them, which will complete the Czech Air Force complement of fourteen (14) aircraft that they will lease until 2015.
The Gripen aircraft will now undergo testing by the Czech Air Force before they are formally handed over at a ceremony on26 April 2005 .
The Czech pilots and technicians who have been undergoing training in Sweden since August 2004 have now completed their training and are now back in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic will be the first NATO country to operate the fourth generation Gripen fighter. The Czech Republic will receive the latest C and D versions of the Gripen aircraft. These aircraft are the latest standard of the Gripen and are equipped with full color ****pit displays, a retractable air-to-air refueling probe and are fully NATO
Large(!!!) pics here!
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And..
Czech Gripen 39 D in the airThe first Czech Air Force Gripen 39 D, dual seat, makes its maiden flight.
The maiden flight of the first Gripen 39 D dual seat - destined for the Czech Republic - took place today 21 April 2005 at Saab in Linköping, Sweden. The aircraft, which was flown by a test pilot from Saab, was painted in grey with the Czech Republic national insignia on the tail.
“This flight is yet another important milestone for the Czech program and shows that the production of Gripen aircraft for the Czech Republic continues according to plans†â€" says Per Nilsson FMV Program Director for the Gripen for Czech Republic.
Following this maiden flight, the aircraft now enters a period of ground and flight-testing to verify that all systems are operating in accordance with the Czech Gripen configuration plan.
This is the first of 2 (two) Gripen 39 D aircraft that the Czech Republic, together with 12 (twelve) 39 C (single seat), will lease for a period of 10 years under the terms of the agreement signed between the Swedish and Czech authorities in June 2004. Deliveries of the 14 Gripen aircraft to the Czech Republic will take place between April-August 2005
Czech pilots and technicians who have been undergoing training in Sweden since August 2004, have now returned to the Czech Republic ahead of the arrival of the first Gripen aircraft.
The Czech Republic will be the first NATO country to operate the fourth eneration Gripen and will be taking delivery of the latest C and D versions of the Gripen aircraft. These aircraft are the latest standard of the Gripen and are equipped with full color ****pit displays, a retractable air-to-air refueling probe and are fully NATO-interoperable.
Large(!!!) pics here.
http://www.gripen.com/images/200.109...0421135022.jpg
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More here, www.gripen.com
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