Tamiya 1/32 F-15 E Strike Eagle

By Luc Janssen

Introduction

When a well-known publisher of aircraft books and good friend of mine told me of his intentions to bring a book on the F-15 E with photos of the real thing together with photos of models built on 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd scale, I was immediately interested and started building a Strike Eagle in 1/32nd scale. I know other model builders are currently working F-15 Es on the other mentioned scales.

The kit is of standard Tamiya quality, but I used some aftermarket sets to improve it with even more details. Although these sets are very good and extremely detailed, a lot of work must be done to get everything in the right place and fitting correctly.

I decided to go for a weathered F-15 E with a center line drop tank and some training missiles and an ACMI-pod. As shown on the opening photo, I gave the model a replacement port stabilator and a replacement missile launch rail.

I put the finished model on a simple base and added a bored crew chief resting on a pair of toolboxes to give some scale reference.

After Markets Sets

Kopecky Scale Models: - 1/32 F-15 E Upgrade set; - 1/32 F-15 E Antenna/ ballast; - 1/32 F-15 E Pylons + Rails; - 1/32 F-15 E Avionics Bay – left; - 1/32 F-15 E Modern Airbrake; - 1/32 F-15 E Modern Wheels
Wolfpack: - OIF Upgrade Set
Reskit: - F-15 Open Exhaust Nozzles
ModelChoice.net: - F-15 E Ejection Seats
Flight Line Resin: - Cubic/ACMI Pod
Quinta Studio: - 1/32 F-15 E interior 3D Decal
PWMP: - F-15 Intake Covers

Decals

The decals came from the box, from Daco Products and from my spare box.

Paints

I used paints from Alclad, AK Real Colors, MRP, Vallejo, ModelMaster and Humbrol.

Weathering

Weathering was done with oil paints, color pencils and pastels.

References

Duke Hawkins: Boeing F-15 E/K/SG Strike Eagle
Reid Air Publications: The Modern Eagle Guide
AIR modeler no 106
AEROGUIDE 19 Mc Donnell Douglas F-15 A/B/C/D Eagle
Squadron/signal publications: Walk Around F-15 Eagle
Squadron/signal publications: Eagle by Lou Drendel
The Internet

Note: Photo of F-15 E in flight published with permission of photographer Ron Kellenaers and Publisher Nicolas Deboeck, owner of HMH Publications and the Duke Hawkins book series.

For questions and remarks: go to lucjanssen32nd.com