This richly illustrated photo book was published 20 years after the official fly-out and last flight of the Draken in Austria. It chronicles the Draken era from the early 1960s to its final flight in December 2005 with impressive photographs and original documents.
The Draken era is presented chronologically, from the first mentions of the aircraft type in the early 1960s to the final flight in December 2005 – featuring never-before-published photos and numerous original documents and graphics.
Thanks to the contribution of many pilots and technicians, previously unpublished material provides deep insights into a challenging, politically controversial, but ultimately successful period of Austrian military aviation.
Flight and technical training in Sweden, weapons exercises in Vidsel/Northern Sweden, and air combat training in Waddington/England are also detailed. All first flights, landings, retirements, anniversaries, special paint schemes and airshows are documented with impressive imagery. The serial numbers and service entries of all Austrian Draken aircraft are included.
Bernd Karner, born in 1971 in Leoben, was a senior military aviation technician in the Austrian Armed Forces and now teaches aircraft technology at the vocational school in Knittelfeld. His many years of experience at Aircraft Maintenance Facility 2 in Zeltweg continue to shape his expertise and passion for military aviation to this day.
However, his commitment goes far beyond teaching technical skills. Thanks to his close ties with the Austrian Armed Forces, he has not only preserved numerous historical documents, but also actively contributed to documenting and curating a significant era in Austrian air force history. This book is the result of years of research, personal connections, and a deeply rooted enthusiasm for Austria’s aviation heritage.
To place an order, please send an email to:
bernd.karner@me.comShipping: Austria €8.49 – International: individually calculated