I normally build armor but was inspired by a photo of an F-15 Eagle in a recent modeling magazine (I forget which). The photo showed an F-15 in Japanese service with a decorative mountain scene that spanned from wingtip to wingtip. I know this is vague, but does anyone know where I can get these decals? On a related note, is there a clear "best" F-15 kit in 1/32 and 1/48 scale?

Found a photo of the plane:

http://www.patricksaviation.com/photos/dominicano/21339/

1/48 revell 85-5511 f-15e. Seems to be the general consensus

Thanks, Justin. Any idea who might make the decals? I know twobobs makes decals for different Japanese F-15's ... just curious which other makers I might look into.

They are Platz decals... I would guess that the scheme represents two Japanese symbols - Mount Fuji and the Cherry Blossom - since it was the 50th Anniversary of the JASDF livery.

If they are still available, try this store to get one:

http://www.hobby-shop.jp/categories/227_279_285/sort20a/filter1/page2.html


I ordered the same 1/48 set through them, and had no problems. I have not used the set, just looked at it. It is big, extensive (most stencils are also included) and the big scenes are a single decal - for instance the wingtip to wingtip mountains and cherry blosson branch are a single decal, likewise the sides of the cockpit (stencil, mountain, roundel and cherry-blossom). Decals seem to be printed in register. There seem to be few decal-on-decal applications necessary. And the instructions are mostly clear as well, and should be sufficient if you take your time as there might be a few tricky issues/minor mistakes in them (IIRC wrong number of no number, or designated on the instructions but difficult to find drawn onto the unstructions.)



From what I have come across (and going by word of writing by others):

Best F-15E: 1/48 Revell

The 1/48 Hasegawa F-15E's supposedly more closely resemble the F-15D, with a few additional parts to make it look like an F-15E.

Supposedly the 1/48 Hasegawa F-15C can easily be converted into a F-15J (at least these are the kits advised by Two Bobs for their JASDF decal sets). They also produce an F-15J.

A site with many more Japanese paintschemes:

http://www.amv83.fr/Asm/galleryjapan.htm

The aircaft you refer to is probably the following (photo's found on site):

50th anniversary JASDF, 7 Kokudan, 305 Hikotai, Hyakuri AB.


Three schemes I hope will ever be converted into decals:

10th Anniversary, 6 Kikudan, 303 Hikotai, Kanazawa/Komatsu AB

40th anniversary Komatsu AB, 6 Kikudan, 303 Hikotai

50th Anniversary JASDF, 6 Kikudan, 303 Hikotai, Kanazawa/Komatsu AB.


The white dragon wing-tip to wing-tip (Made into a Two Bobs decal set) is theirs as well.



Platz decals makes JASDF sets (here 1/48 listing), including a number for the F-15

http://www.platz-hobby.com/index.php?cPath=1_12_63&sort=6&main_page=index&filter_id=1

Two Bobs makes a few (as you knew), so does Afterburner (though their F-2 sets sold fast!),




Hope this helps,

Harm

That's an F-15J in one of the JASDF 50th Anniversary schemes: Mt Fuji & Cherry Blossom Tree.

You’ll need an F-15J(C) and the best overall 48th F-15J(C) is Hasegawa. In 32nd scale that would beTamiya by a mile and they also make an F-15J.

Platz made these markings in 72nd and 48th, but they’ve long been OOP Stateside:
http://www.spruebrothers.com/Nexternal/148-platz-decals---f-15j-eagle-50th-ann-of-jasdf-305th-jd48-21.htm

There some sources in a few Japanese store fronts; check links above.I wish I would have bought another set at the time, but sat on it for too long. You might look into the Fujimi 48th F-15J kit with the same markings:


http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10041340

Use the decals on the Hasegawa kit; is what a friend of mine plans to do.

There no markings of this F-15J scheme in 32nd that I know of.

Mike V

Harm - The first link you provided shows several of the "Mount Fuji / Cherry Blossom" sets in stock and a restock of the "White Dragon" set coming soon. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Mike - After figuring the size of a 1/32 scale F-15 I think I'll stick with 1/48 scale. Which of these kits would you suggest? I'm not clear whether I should use the F-15C (7249), F-15J/DJ (#7251) or one of the F-15DJ Eagle Aggressor kits (#9832/9896). Sorry to be thick, but I appreciate the help.

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/search.cgi?terms=Hasegawa%20F%2D15&category=Search%20Results&boolean=AND&sortby=&next=0®istry=&instock=&preorders=&scale=

With the exception of the "1/48 HSG07251 F-15J/DJ EAGLE J.A.S.D.F.", you can eliminate the D/DJs/Es, since the Cheery blossom F-15J is a single seat F-15. Either of the F-15Cs or As will be adequate, as they are all basically the same kit, though I would probably go with the 1/48 HSG07251 F-15J/DJ EAGLE J.A.S.D.F Kit.

Mike V