F-15 B/D what are my options?

[Stevepd]

We had 2 x F-15s’ flying overhead again last night from Lakenheath, even the CEO was watching and she’s normally interested. I have built the TAMIYA F-15 E & C, but I saw a photo of an early light grey B model the the hi-viz star n bar and it looked very cool. So in 1/32 what’s my options please.

 

Photo courtesy of Sven on Britmodeller.

 

Steve.

Edited June 28, 2019 by Stevepd

[Chek]

The Revell Bicentennial F-15B is still a fairly nice kit even after 30 years.

It would benefit from upgrading the seats ((basic Escapacs supplied), jetpipe interiors and it comes with vinyl tyres.

Though mine haven't degraded at all, some can't abide them.

The engineering is so close to the Tamiya that I could swap out the two seat nose for a drop-fit Tamiya 'C' nose to get an 'A' model.

[32scalelover]

I knew Revell did a F-15C and E in 1/32, but I don't remember a B.  I wonder if they just boxed the E as a B??

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by 32scalelover

[Dave Williams]

1 hour ago, 32scalelover said:

I knew Revell did a F-15C and E in 1/32, but I don't remember a B.

 

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-4742-f-15-eagle-bicentennial--145665

 

Unfortunately, looking at the sprue shots in this review, it appears that it has the IPs for their “Strike Eagle” kit, which  was actually the Dual Role Fighter Demonstrator for what eventually became the F-15E.

 

http://fighters.forumactif.com/t33104-f-15b-eagle-revell-1-32

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by Dave Williams

[Chek]

1 hour ago, Dave Williams said:

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-4742-f-15-eagle-bicentennial--145665

 

Unfortunately, looking at the sprue shots in this review, it appears that it has the IPs for their “Strike Eagle” kit, which  was actually the Dual Role Fighter Demonstrator for what eventually became the F-15E.

 

That's true, even in the early issue Bicentennial kit which came out well before the lizard camo DRFD kit.

However the instrument panel for the B is quite simple in layout and could be quite easily fabricated with for example, Airscale instruments and bezels.

The Detail & Scale volume gives full details

 

Of more concern is that the main wheel hubs are the later type which are quite different to the early type, but when painted early style black that's not very noticeable..

[Chek]

I bought mine in a local toyshop, which was clearing them at £6.00 in the spring of 1982 or '83 I believe.

The F-15 DRFD had been at Farnborough in Sept 1980, so Revell were catering to that iteration while issuing the colourful Bicentennial 1976 scheme first.

[ScottsGT]

On my shelf of DOOM is a Tamiya D I have back dated to the Bicentennial bird.  Air brake is also shorter on this one. Not sure about the production B's though.

[Darren Howie]

Your “best” option to me is to use the nose from an E on the single seater C and apply whatever timeframe mods are needed.

You will also end up with a conformal tank single seater you could throw 57th FS decals on who used them a bit out of Iceland.

Obviously there are some other E things to remove but its how i did an F-15DJ Aggressor. 

[Stevepd]

Thanks folks. I’ll keep an eye out. There is one on eBay that is battered and he’s asking £75

 

 

Edited June 28, 2019 by Stevepd

[Darren Howie]

Wow battered for 75 quid...i can buy them new in Japan for a tad over 40..lol...you guys get ripped on Japanese stuff over there.

[Luca]

are panel numbers placed only in the old ghost grey scheme? or in the newer mod eagle scheme, too?

Edited June 29, 2019 by Luca

[aircommando130]

Ooooooh….A Holloman "B" model! I remember when the 49th TFW swapped from F-4D's to the F-15A...kinda dating myself! 

Oh well...I like the ghost gray scheme and high vis insignia and yes...as they rolled off the line at McDonnell Douglas in St.Lewis

they had all the black panel numbers! Good luck to roll back time in the USAF!

 

Cheers...Ron