Hi folks,

Just got my hands on an Academy 1/48 'F-15E Eagle with Weapons' kit. Had a q in thsi regard.

I would like to make a nightfighter version of the kit. Does such a squadron exist? Like, the whole plane is in black for night ops? I do remember seeing a pic of a F-15 in a magazine, which was all black, and the caption said it was from Kosovo during the ops there in the recent past. If the sdn exists, any idea where I can get details on insignia, decals, camo, etc?

Help appreciated. TIA...

Cheers,
BP.

No, no such squadron exists, but all Strike Eagles are capable of night operations. Also you mentioned "nightfigther" - F-15E, while it can still perform as a capable fighter, is considered a strike aircraft. Its main purpose is to deliver air to ground ordnance.

You are wrong about colors - all production USAF Strike Eagles are and always were overall Gunship Gray FS36118, so you could have not seen a black Eagle. It must have been just the lighting effect on the dark gray camouflage.

And regarding the kit - please note that Academy model is actually closer to F-15D, than F-15E. It misses several parts that are necessary to make it really E version. And it is also known to have some serious shape accuracy problems.

Regards,
Pawel

Hi Vodnik,

Thanks for your reply. It really helps!

As for accuracy, etc, I am generally an OOB kit builder, and don't worry all that much about the accuracy of the kit. I prefer to just give it a shot and see what comes out ! I also have a Monogram F-15E Eagle, and have heard that it is an accurate kit. So let's see how it turns out :-) ...

BTW, went thru your article on the Mig 29. It's an amazing piece of work!! Am planning to make an Indian AF Mig 29 later this year, and your article will definitely help!!

Cheers,
BP.

Bytepilot:
Vodnik is dead on the money, but i did find this site for ya maybe it will help also.
http://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/
Usually but not always when an Aircraft is given a letter designator like the F-15E verses the D version. Usually means that the Aircraft has has some sort of modofiication to it i.e electronics upgrade or a specific capability, that the upgrade can give the plane. The E version can use the LANTIRN system that gives it the night strike capability.
http://www.af.mil/news/factsheets/F_15_Eagle.html
Hope these help
Paul