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Tamiya F-15C Kicked Up A Notch- Dec 1/17: DONE!


chuck540z3

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After about 6 weeks off from modeling, it's time to get back at it. Lately I've been flipping between props and jets, so since my last build was the 1/32 Trumpeter P-38L Lightning, I think I'll do the 1/32 Tamiya F-15C next, but as an Aggressor. There are a number of reasons for this decision as follows:

1) It's not a Trumpeter kit. After two of them in a row (P-38L and A-10C) over the span of 28 months, I've had enough punishment for a while!

2) My first model when I re-entered the hobby about 9 years ago was a 1/32 Revell F-15D. It was really bad, but it did get me hooked into modeling once again and I'd like to see what I can do with a Big Eagle now. I bought this kit right after the Revell build and it has been staring at me ever since. Time to whip it together, although my usual time frame per model is 12-14 months.

3) What I'd really like to build is the Israeli F-15I Ra'am, but I looked into it and although I have the IsraDecal decals and the Wolfpack conversion set, I need to do a LOT of modifications, especially in the cockpit. After the Trumpeter kits, I need a bit of a conversion holiday and this build will help me for when I do the Ra'am later.

4) Why an Aggressor? I'm a little tired of grey jets and it just so happens that I have taken many walkaround photographs of my subject, AF800010, at Nellis AFB a few years ago. I'll be sharing a lot of those pics here in this build thread. I also like the “Old School†look of this Aggressor over the more recent “Splinter†camo schemes that are sharp and angular.

Here's an example:

F-15C_AGG57.jpg


And I've been dying to show overlooked little details like this for years, which is just to the right of the guy's blue hat above. This model, of course, will have it.


F-15C_AGG23.jpg


5) Also years ago, I bought the Deployment Productions print of this very same jet, which is shown below and now my new sig pic. Unfortunately, they got the tail code wrong.


AGG-1.jpg


Since this project has been in the works for some time now, I have collected a lot of stuff over the years to help me “Kick It Up A Notchâ€. Of course I have the Afterburner Decals and a very rare copy of Jake Melampy's, “The Modern Eagle Guide†in new condition. I could have got a fortune for this book on eBay or Amazon over the past 2-3 years, but Jake has newer and likely better “2nd Edition†coming out soon, which I have just pre-ordered.


Start1.jpg


I also have every single Eduard kit of PE brass, for both the F-15C and the F-15E. Although I'm building the “C†version, there are some “E†bits that will come in handy later. As usual, I will likely only use about 25% of the brass parts available, since they don't always help the build.


Start2.jpg

I've got the Avionix resin F-15C cockpit as well as the Aires offering. The Aires kit will likely be my first choice, but Aires resin usually fits too small, so maybe a bit of both? I'm not really sure what's in the Wolfpack “Update Setâ€, but if even one or two parts work out, I'll be happy to use them.


Start3.jpg


Of course I have the excellent Zactomodels AIM-9X missiles, the currently OOP Two Mikes ACMI pods and a set of OOP Cutting Edge AIM-120 missiles. I likely won't be using the AIM-120's, but they come with the LAU-128 launchers with ADU-552 adapters to replace the kit missile launchers which are no longer used. I hear the Wolfpack kit has these as well, but Jake tells me they are way too skinny. Hopefully these are OK.


Start4.jpg


So that's it for aftermarket parts and before you tell me about seamless intakes and resin engines, I want to modify these parts myself with a few ideas I have. I might regret it later, but right now this is the plan.

If you guys have any tips and tricks for this kit, I'm all ears! I know NOTHING about this kit and very little about the Eagle to begin with. For starters, I hear this kit was based on the F-15E kit that came out earlier, so it has a lot of panel line mistakes. After all I went through with Trumpeter kits, I feel like I've been running with weights on my ankles up until now, so these small tweaks should be a breeze.

It could be awhile before I actually have any progress, because it looks like the cockpit area is first. I love to assemble and paint cockpits, especially resin ones, but they do take a long time to pull together.


Cheers,
Chuck

Edited by chuck540z3
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Oh yeah. This should be worth following. Count me in.

 

I think you'll enjoy this kit Chuck but remember that it is n't the latest generation of Tamiya kits so the engineering is n't quite as flawless. Some care is needed around the upper wing join when you get that far. I suspect that you may require a shim or possibly, dare I say it, some filler.....

 

There are one or two areas that will require modification as you are correct when you say that this kit is based largely on the Strike Eagle.

The F-15E has six small oval chimneys on the upper surface near the engines where there is only one on the F-15C.

 

The main wheels are narrower on the Charlie and the front gear wheel fork is a rounded section rather than the chunkier square section on the Mudhen. Also, that front wheel support is too long leaving too much air visible at the top of the wheel. The correction is to shorten that arm but this would result in a crouched pose unless the oleo is extended a little. Something to think about at least.

 

The JFS exhaust is the much older style with the louvres across it. Check your reference photos to see whether your bird has the common open exhaust or this older style. If it does have the newer version then your model would look better with that mod performed.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how you kick this up a notch but be warned, the Eagle is my favourite aircraft of all time so no nonsense or you'll be for it! :fight:

 

:innocent:

 

:)

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Hi there Chuck lovely choice my man..

 

I was wondering about those wolfpack pylons and adapters as well. I have the same set, alas since I don't have the cam amraams, I was wondering if I could use tamiya's F16 ones? Or are those totally different puppies?

 

Cheers

Fred

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Oh yeah, this will be cool. I love Aggressors and your build is going to be a kicker ;) Btw, I was there the year you took those pics of the Eagle at Nellis. It sure was a great show. I'm sure your good on the pics of this jet but I have bunch as well and if you need any then let me know. Well, time to start your engiiiinnneeesssss! :D

 

Mike

Edited by Youngtiger1
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Aggressor Eagle !!! Thats great and cant wait to see the progress on this one. One question...do you need 1:48 part of decals, if not can we make some deal for them ? Oh one more thing , can i repost your walkaround photos to my Aggressor/Adversary facebook group ?

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Guest Peterpools

Hi Chuck

With R-N-R over, it's great to see your Eagle project laid out on the table, with your usual POA and Ammo ready to roll. I was pulling for an Israeli Air Force Eagle but can fully appreciate and understand the reasons behind your finally selection. Looking forward to build and will be along to the entire journey.

Keep 'em coming

Peter

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Looking forward to another one Chuck! Your photography and sharing always make your posts special, and I'm grateful to you for sharing!

 

I will make one suggestion--ditch any ordnance and load her up with the ACMI / NCTS pod. More importantly, (not sure if they're even made, BUT I know you could make one with your skills) put some sort of self protect jammer on there. ALQ-131, ACAP, etc

 

Looking forward to it!

-Peter

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Thanks for the encouragement Guys!  This should be fun- and loooong.

 

 

Oh yeah. This should be worth following. Count me in.

 

I think you'll enjoy this kit Chuck but remember that it is n't the latest generation of Tamiya kits so the engineering is n't quite as flawless. Some care is needed around the upper wing join when you get that far. I suspect that you may require a shim or possibly, dare I say it, some filler.....

 

There are one or two areas that will require modification as you are correct when you say that this kit is based largely on the Strike Eagle.

The F-15E has six small oval chimneys on the upper surface near the engines where there is only one on the F-15C.

 

The main wheels are narrower on the Charlie and the front gear wheel fork is a rounded section rather than the chunkier square section on the Mudhen. Also, that front wheel support is too long leaving too much air visible at the top of the wheel. The correction is to shorten that arm but this would result in a crouched pose unless the oleo is extended a little. Something to think about at least.

 

The JFS exhaust is the much older style with the louvres across it. Check your reference photos to see whether your bird has the common open exhaust or this older style. If it does have the newer version then your model would look better with that mod performed.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how you kick this up a notch but be warned, the Eagle is my favourite aircraft of all time so no nonsense or you'll be for it! :fight:

 

:innocent:

 

:)

 

Thanks for the tips Guy.  I knew about some of them, but not all of them.  I have the narrower wheels/tires coming from Parts-R-Parts.  PM on its way.

 

 

Hi there Chuck lovely choice my man..

 

I was wondering about those wolfpack pylons and adapters as well. I have the same set, alas since I don't have the cam amraams, I was wondering if I could use tamiya's F16 ones? Or are those totally different puppies?

 

Cheers

Fred

 

 

Hi Fred,

 

According to Jake Melampy who wrote the Modern Eagle Guide, the Tamiya F-16 launchers will work, but then what do you use when you build the F-16 kit?  Hard decision.

 

 

Aggressor Eagle !!! Thats great and cant wait to see the progress on this one. One question...do you need 1:48 part of decals, if not can we make some deal for them ? Oh one more thing , can i repost your walkaround photos to my Aggressor/Adversary facebook group ?

 

 

Sorry sir, but they are already spoken for (Chris in Edmonton)!  All of my walkaround pics are public, so use whatever pic you want wherever you want.

 

 

Looking forward to another one Chuck! Your photography and sharing always make your posts special, and I'm grateful to you for sharing!

I will make one suggestion--ditch any ordnance and load her up with the ACMI / NCTS pod. More importantly, (not sure if they're even made, BUT I know you could make one with your skills) put some sort of self protect jammer on there. ALQ-131, ACAP, etc

Looking forward to it!
-Peter

 

Right now I'm going with what I see on this jet, which is an ACMI pod on the starboard wing (Two Mikes for now), an inert AIM-9X on the port side wing (Zactomodels) and maybe one of these AN/ALQ-188 Jamming Pods on the belly (Aires).  Wolfpack makes one too, but you can't go wrong with Aires.

 

On F-16 Aggressor

 

F-16AGG-1.jpg
 

Edited by chuck540z3
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