Academy 48 scale F 15 E- kit # 2117

Wanted to post this kit I just won on auction. Ive had several F 15s, Hasegawa, Revell, Revell Germany, the old Monogran- havnt done a Tamiya yet though this Academy offering deserves some discussion. Ten total sprues not counting the canopys frame. Nice looking pair of decals and pretty clear instructions lacking ONE major issue in my eye.
This kit comes packed with ordinance, you could almost load an A 10 with whats leftover in this kit! GBUs Sidewinders, Ecm pod, A Sat , drop tanks- it goes on and the instructions do show clearly where everything goes, though there is nearlly no mention as to WHY.
Colors are noted on the pages, though a casual builder may have an issue trying to identify just what he's placing on the hard points.
All in all its a nice looking kit in the bags and Ive learned from hard experience to ignore anything Mini Craft labled through their horrible pairing on Hasegawas earlier 72 scale jets. Though this was to sweet of a deal not to check out. Pics are below.
Thanks and Happy Monday! CR

Weapons sprues ect

What am i installing ? LOL

Thanks for this look Chip. Why separate post?

moon puppy said:

Thanks for this look Chip. Why separate post?

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I guess I made a mistake, How do i fix that? Still getting used to this system

You can make new lines (like of text) and drag another photo to the next line. I usually leave a blank line in between. If you look at @Duke Maddog posts or mine, you will see multiple photos posted in line. Just a learning experience, and once you get used to it quite easy.

For potential builders of this kit, the serial number is wrong as supplied. The first production F-15E was 86-0183. There is a F-15E with the serial 88-1677.

In the markings of the USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, with different tail markings from the kit.


While flying with the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB.


And while flying with the 336th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB.


Cheers,
RichB

I got an old school bud who's teaching youngsters how to fly these things now. He flew F111 over Iraq way back when.
Much like the BombCat..I have a hard time accepting the Eagle as a bomber or conformal tanks on an F16. Give me the Air Superiority versions any day.

When the Canadian Forces were running the NFA Program, the government wasn't allowed to advertise the bomb carrying capability of both the F-14 and F-15. Editing a few comment statements out of the software would enable the air-to-ground mode.

I knew the pilot that flew the first production F-15E on its maiden flight while he was on an exchange tour at AETE. He had flown F-105's in Vietnam before he went to test pilot school. He couldn't stand to drive a car for more than half an hour, things weren't happening fast enough.

Cheers,
RichB

RichB said:

When the Canadian Forces were running the NFA Program, the government wasn't allowed to advertise the bomb carrying capability of both the F-14 and F-15. Editing a few comment statements out of the software would enable the air-to-ground mode.

I knew the pilot that flew the first production F-15E on its maiden flight while he was on an exchange tour at AETE. He had flown F-105's in Vietnam before he went to test pilot school. He couldn't stand to drive a car for more than half an hour, things weren't happening fast enough.

Cheers,
RichB

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Thats cool and true, my Uncle Eddie spent most of his career in the Navy with Top Gun calibrating the Tomcats targeting equiptment and alot of other things he cant talk about. Lets just say he's interesting to talk to today.

Nice photos of the mud hen. Gary S.