The Swedish Air Force has performed its final ever display with the SK 60 (Saab 105) at Antidotum Airshow Leszno on Saturday 22nd June.
The jet, wearing the colours of Team 60 – Sweden’s defunct national aerobatic team – performed a spellbinding aerial ballet including dirty rolls, a slow roll, outside turn and even a rolling circle. It also joined up for a short formation sequence with the two Alpha Jet As of the Flying Bulls, both of which were flown by former Saab 105 pilots from the Austrian Air Force.
First flying in 1963, the 61-year-old jets were officially withdrawn from service a few days before Antidotum Airshow, however at least two continued flying for a few extra days to facilitate the appearance. It was the last of several displays this year, which saw the SK 60 perform across Sweden and at the Sola Airshow in Norway.
The SK 60 is Sweden’s designation for the Saab 105, a light attack aircraft and jet trainer of which Sweden is now the sole remaining military operator. Although the aircraft are long in the tooth, all those which remain in service have been upgraded with new cockpit instruments and engines. Several of these upgraded aircraft will eventually be handed over to the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight, where they will join one non-upgraded example which already flies with them. They will continue flying at airshows.
Sweden was the last military operator of the SK 60, meaning that none now fly in military hands.