Just when we thought Hobby Master was done announcing new tooling for 2026 comes word that they plan on tackling the Swedisn-built JAS-39 Gripen as its next airborne warrior. For those of you unfamiliar with the SAAb Gripen, its a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are fully NATO interoperable. As of 2025, more than 280 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been delivered.
Prototype photos were posted in conjunction with the announcement so we anticipate the Gripen, if it does put in an appearance this year, will surface towards the tail end of 2026. More likely, its set to take off at the beginning of 2027, once an initial subject has been chose, a price has been established, and other mitigating factors have been addressed. So, for now, these prototype photos will have to suffice.
