"Alan Erskine" schreef in bericht
...
"Mitchell Holman" wrote in message
...
I have heard they build STOL capabilities into their
planes, using roads as runways, that sort of thing. That
might explain why their designs are so unique.

Or else there is something in the water where their
engineers work...........

Hehe... the former is the correct answer. And a good idea too - I think
the Swedes learned that lesson from WWII; airfields were some of the first
targets to be destroyed. Being able to use straight stretches of road
makes excellent sense. From memory, the RAF used to practice this with
their Harriers in Germany before the end of the cold war - I don't know if
they still do it.

They did, but the Harrier of course needed a lot less road than even a
Viggen. Taking off from short stretches of road was part of their normal
off-base exercises.
The RAF even tested a Jaguar on a stretch of highway in Britain.

Regards,
Herman