Cheetah11 Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) During the Cold War USAAFE kept units in Europe for air superiority and interception of Eastern Block intruders. When the Mig 25 Foxbat was introduced by the Eastern Block , the F-4 units were promptly replaced by the F-15A and later by the F-15C. These were stationed at Bitburg and Spangdahlem in Germany and Soesterberg in the Netherlands. The 32nd TFS was the unit stationed at Soesterberg and at the time the only F-15 unit to carry a bit of nose art in the form of a Wolfhound on the left side of the cockpit. It was also the only USAAF unit to be under the control of another air force, in this case the Netherlands Air Force. The Tamiya model was build pretty much OOB. A few small details was added in the cockpit and the fuel tank modified from a Sufa tank to give a better representation of the belly tank. The afterburner nozzles were also shortened. This kit is relatively old but is still a pleasure to build and because of its size has a great presence. A pity Tamiya has not updated this like the F-14. One sprue with modern weapons, a tank and new nozzles would fix the most of the inaccuracies and make it easy to do a more modern Eagle. Here is the model( part of the Cold War Jets) group build. And now off to the display case. Nick Edited June 5, 2020 by Cheetah11 AceofClubs, Hartmann352, Squizzy 78 and 26 others 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 Great looking end result, maybe a bit too clean IMHO, but nevertheless super build. Cheetah11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shujaa Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) How nice to see an Eagle dressed up as a 32nd bird. A little bit of additional information: The 32nd has always been a very special USAFE unit due to the fact that it used to be fully (!!!) integrated into the Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Defense. In contrast to other USAF-units based in Europe, the 32nd carried out national (Dutch) QRA-duties during which she was under direct control of our national Command & Control station (CRC "BANDBOX"). Out of gratitude she was awarded the Royal Crest which proudly adorned her squadron-badge, carried on the left intake of the 32nd F-15's (unfortunately not seen in any of your pictures...). The 32nd received the Royal Crest, back in the days when they were flying the F-102 Delta Dagger. These birds soon sported a beautiful red, white & blue fin-flash which are often mistaken as the USA-colors but in fact were a "tribute" to our (Dutch) national flag. The wing-fences of the 1-0-2's were painted orange, referring to the color of our Royal family. When they received the F-4E Phantom, the red, white & blue "fin-flash" (sadly) disappeared. However, the orange "fin-flash" was retained. As seen in your pictures, the F-15's also retained this orange "fin-flash", with the edition of a small Royal crown. Due to her "special status" the 32nd was often referred to as "The Queen's Own" or "Her Majesty's Finest", making her the only Royal squadron in service with the USAF(E)...!!! Kind regards, Rudy. P.S.: Isn't "USAAF" an acronym for United States Army Air Force...??? If so, you surely mean USAFE (United States Air Force Europe)... Edited June 5, 2020 by Shujaa Cheetah11, Shawn M and Jack 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 Great looking F-15! May I post it on the website? Cheetah11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevepd Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 That looks brilliant. Cheetah11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the compliments and interest gents. 10 hours ago, LSP_Ray said: Great looking F-15! May I post it on the website? By all means Ray, I will be honored. 15 hours ago, Shujaa said: The 32nd has always been a very special USAFE unit due to the fact that it used to be fully (!!!) integrated into the Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Defense. In contrast to other USAF-units based in Europe, the 32nd carried out national (Dutch) QRA-duties during which she was under direct control of our national Command & Control station (CRC "BANDBOX"). Out of gratitude she was awarded the Royal Crest which proudly adorned her squadron-badge, carried on the left intake of the 32nd F-15's (unfortunately not seen in any of your pictures...). Hi Rudy If you look carefully you will see the Royal Crest. It is in low-vis colors. I was very fortunate to get a good photo of the subject as there are some differences from the standard USAAF aircraft such as very little standard stencils. The F-15 seems to have been in a bit of a transition in 1986 as far as markings go. On the subject there is a mix of high-vis, reduced-vis and low-vis markings. Cheers Nick Edited June 6, 2020 by Cheetah11 Spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shujaa Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) Hi Nick, I think I've been "misunderstood" regarding my reference to the Royal Crest... This is what I was referring to...: Depicted, a squadron-badge of a Dutch squadron (323 Sqn, Leeuwarden AB). The Royal Crest is represented by the green leaves around the squadron-badge and the Royal crown on top. When the 32nd was "granted the Royal status", it's squadron-badge was supplemented by the same green leaves and Royal crown on top as can be seen on this picture while the bird's were still in Hi-Vis markings: During the later stage of their existence the bird's received Low-Vis markings, changing the full color badge into a "black outline" version (as can be seen in the last post of your WIP). Funny fact: While in Hi-Vis markings the 32nd F-15's sported a bright orange fin-flash at the top of their vertical tails, outlined by dark green lines at the top & bottom of the fin-flash. It also included the Royal crown. When the Low-Vis markings were introduced, the 32nd refused to give up he fin-flash as can be seen in this picture: Apparently "High Command" was not amused and the 32nd was forced to give up their bright orange fin-flash. In tradition with true Dutch stubbornness, they simply reversed the colors into a dark green fin-flash, still including the Royal Crown, with bright orange lines on the top & bottom of the fin-flash... Kind regards, Rudy *** DISCLAIMER *** All pictures by courtesy of the internet and only included for illustration purposes. Edited June 6, 2020 by Shujaa Cheetah11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alain11 Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 hi Nick wow !! it's a great looking F 15 , I really like the nose art , it seems that there is no limit with the " cameo" !!! ........impressive build , I like ... that reminds me the first time I saw an F15 at Ramstein AB , Alain Cheetah11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) Hi Rudy 4 hours ago, Shujaa said: Hi Nick, I think I've been "misunderstood" regarding my reference to the Royal Crest... This is what I was referring to...: I have understood you perfectly and it is on the model. The subject in 1986 in low vis form. As you can see the Royal Crest does not stand out a lot. Thanks for all the interesting background. I was fortunate enough to see the Eagle in the Museum at Soesterberg and knowing the background makes it just more interesting. Cheers Nick Edited June 6, 2020 by Cheetah11 Rockie Yarwood and Loach Driver 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmax Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 You have built a lovely model here Nick! Great subject, great stencil cutting, and all you have to do now is weather it... I'll bring some oil paint, Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shujaa Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Look's like we are indeed "on the same page" Nick. By the way, my sincere apologies for not complementing you on a nice build... She's looking mighty fine. Might be sweet to put a nice F-4E in 32nd livery next to her... Kind regards, Rudy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 2 hours ago, Madmax said: You have built a lovely model here Nick! Great subject, great stencil cutting, and all you have to do now is weather it... I'll bring some oil paint, Sean 1 hour ago, Shujaa said: Look's like we are indeed "on the same page" Nick. By the way, my sincere apologies for not complementing you on a nice build... She's looking mighty fine. Might be sweet to put a nice F-4E in 32nd livery next to her... Kind regards, Rudy. Thanks Rudy. BTW I am planning a F-4E in the near future. Unfortunately not a Wolfhound but this one. Cheers and happy modeling Nick Madmax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shujaa Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Sweet ! Even if You don't dress her up with 32nd markings, it's still a Phantom... Never seen that box-art before. Which brand & scale if I may ask ? Kind regards, Rudy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hi Rudy It is not box-art but a painting by the artist Phillip West. Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 On 6/6/2020 at 1:32 AM, Cheetah11 said: Thanks for the compliments and interest gents. By all means Ray, I will be honored. Cheers Nick Finally got it done! Article is here, and will be in the next What's New. Cheetah11 and Rockie Yarwood 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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