**** DONE: GB-44 1/48 F-15C - Military A/C of post-war time

Donivanp · Dec 9, 2019

Username : donivanp
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Great Wall (Lion Roar) F-15C MSIP II
Extras : Extra decals Caracal ANG F-15C part 2 Oregon ANG (173FW)

Wurger · Dec 9, 2019

Donivanp · Dec 9, 2019

The F-15 Eagle as most of you know was the product of what was called the "Fighter revolt" in the US Air Force in the late 60's early 70's. The USAF had, it is said, suffered under the "Bomber Boys" from most of the research going into the advancement of bombers with little research funding going into fighters. By the late 60's most of the bomber Generals had retired and with the results of both Korea and Vietnam showing that air superiority was a priority, and fighter pilots making up a larger part of the Air Force leadership, a new fighter design was initiated. The results were two different aircraft. The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 was the first of these and the General Dynamics (now Lockheed) F-16 was the second.
The F-15 Eagle is a large aircraft designed from the outset to own the skies it is flying in. The F-16 Fighting Falcon (AKA Viper) is a lightweight multi-role fighter.

The kit is GWH 1/48 F-15C MSIP II "United States Air National Guard" edition. There have been several 1/48th F-15s release over the years, Revell, Monogram, Hasegawa, Tamiya, to name just a few. A few years ago Academy release a "C MSIP II" version which I have and it looks pretty nice from a review of the parts in the box, but then Great Wall (Lion Roar) started releasing aircraft kits and the results looked to be pretty spectacular. I've picked up four of these GWH F-15s over the last few years, two of MSIP II and two ANG kits. The ANG kits are a bit less costly but don't have the missiles included in the kit. There a a few minor other changes in that kit as well but it is the same basic kit and looks to be a very nicely designed and laid out kit.

I'm born and raised in Oregon so I have a special place for all things Oregon and the Oregon ANG is no exception. The 173FW is the training unit for F-15 upgrade and are located at Kingsley Field Klamath Falls in south central Oregon. They have taken as their tail flash a bald eagle and I really like it so I'll do this up either as the wing kings bird from the Caracal CD48022 decal set, or I'll borrow the decals from my other GW F-15 Oregon ANG 75th Anniversary set.

So lets take a look at the kit.

Donivanp · Dec 9, 2019

And some more!

Donivanp · Dec 9, 2019

And the decals!

First the Caracal set CD48022

and the set from the other GWH F-15!

fubar57 · Dec 9, 2019

Good stuff Don. Deecals look pretty spiffy

Airframes · Dec 9, 2019

Yep, it all looks rather nice.
Back in September, I spent a couple of hours watching the F-15E's flirting around at Lakenheath - pretty impressive. Wouldn't mind doing a Lakenheath bird, although probably won't happen - ain't got the shelf space !

Wurger · Dec 9, 2019

Looking good.

Donivanp · Dec 9, 2019

Meet the 173rd!

Crimea_River · Dec 9, 2019

Striking schemes there.

Airframes · Dec 10, 2019

Sure are, and clever camouflage - make the enemy think they're seeing a ****ing big, fast Bald Eagle !!

Wayne Little · Dec 10, 2019

Great stuff Don.......and I don't have to post all that extra stuff now......Refer Dons thread.....

my other project about to add to GB is the same kit as an F-15J

Wurger · Dec 10, 2019

Donivanp · Dec 10, 2019

Wayne Little said:
Great stuff Don.......and I don't have to post all that extra stuff now......Refer Dons thread..... my other project about to add to GB is the same kit as an F-15J

I'm sure you'll do far more justice to it than i.

Wayne Little · Dec 11, 2019

This kit looks real good, you will do fine.

Donivanp · Dec 12, 2019

I figured some Eagle shots I took around '88 at Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan, might be in order. I was approved a flightline camara pass and went out on my weekends. Eagles and Phantoms were my favorite.