I am thinking of building a 1/48 scale F-15, I am unsure of the variant to choose or manufacturer. I usually build soviet aircraft but I really like the F-15. Anybody who has any experience with this aircraft in this scale please let me know what you think!
You didn’t specify which F-15. -C? -E?
Generally the Hasegawa F-15As, -Cs and -Ds are considered the best -A, -C and -D models. The Revell F-15E is considered the best -E model. Plus, there is quite a bit of AM stuff for these kits.
The Tamiya F-15C is very good as far as shape goes but it does not have full length intakes and the radome is a slightly smaller diameter than where it mates to the fuselage.
The old Monogram F-15As and -Cs have the most accurate overall shape but they lack the intake trunks and have raised panel lines.
The Hasegawa F-15E is basically a -D model with some -E parts added to it. Same with the Academy F-15E. Its a -D with -E parts. Both are descent kits but they have obvious accuracy issues.
Ah right, so I forgot to mention that I will go for any variant of the F-15C/D/E/J/I/K just whichever is the best kit, as to me they all look very similar and I know sometimes the kits can be a bit off, I had made the Italeri F-15 but the canopy was wrong and spoilt the look, I also had the Academy F-15E but it was years ago, so I was wondering what the opinion was as to what would be the best representation of this aircraft to build in any variant.
For the price, the Revell E is probably the best out there, and also the most accurate.
I admit my knowledge of the subject is somewhat out of date, but have posted so I may check responses as I may want to build one in this scale as well.
BTW…might be good to offer some hot lasagne to the one who provides the best answer.[whstl]
Dang it!
Now I’m hungry for lasagne…
I had heard good thngs about the Revell F-15E Stickpusher, just does not seem to be readily available for some reason, lol and yeah Lasagne for the best answer!
I’m currently building a Revell F-15E and I have a Hasegawa F-15C in the stash.
So far the fit of the Revell kit is very good. The parts that give the most trouble are the CFTs. They fit great but there are some minor gaps along the very long seams. The join between the main fuselage and the cockpit section can be a little tricky, too. Just be patient attaching it and the seam clean up will be minimal.
I think there is a boxing out there that includes weapons but they are had to come by. You may need to get some AM weapons if you want to load it up.
I might start an In-Progress thread since I’ve been taking pics as I move along with it.
Yes do please I was actually wondering most about the Revell kit, though I am surprised to hear it has no weapons.
I really enjoyed the Hasagawa F-15C,I could recommend it
The Pro Modeler issue has various weapons with it. The basic Revell kit has just the drop tanks, LANTIRN pods, and 4 Sidewinders.
And you have to get after market LAU-128 launch rails if you want to add any AIM-120 AMRAAMs. These aren’t hard to find, though.
Actually, I got the Wolfpack F-15E OIF update set which includes everything you need to make your F-15E up to date.
That depends on what version of the Revell F-15 E you are talking about Revell had basically a in house molding of the F-15 E which I believe was the scaled down version of the 1/32 scale kit and the other was the rebox of the Hasegawa kit in the Pro-Modeler line.
I have the Academy F-15E and F-15C in 1/48 scale and Academy also released the MSIP version with new parts and a pilot with the current issue flight helmet.
If you are going to build the 1st TFW Wing Commander aircraft as pictured on the box art do not add the eagles to the interior of the vertical stabilizers those are completely ficticious and weren’t carried by any aircraft at Langley AFB. That bit of info was from my father who served in the 1st TFW from 1982-93 as a Eagle Keeper.
No, the 1/48 Revell F-15E is thier own molding, not a scale down of their 1/32 kit, or a rebox of Hasegawa like the Promodeler F-4E is. The Promodeler F-15E is simply a rebox of the original release with air to ground stores as well as the basic stores in the original release. By all reviews out there, it is the best 1/48 Strike Eagle kit out there.
Thanks for the tip but I actually bought some Afterburner Mountain Home decals for it.
Thanks for the response guys! Revell it is! Though I will look for the after market parts that were mentioned as I would want to put some Hi-Tech munitions on it as I always think the E looks better armed.
If you have a Michael’s craft store near you they usually have a Revell F-15E in stock. Get on their website and they have 40% off coupons too.
Ah I am assuming that’s an American shop? I live in Belfast you see, but even Hannants don’t have it in stock or even listed, but Amazon do but they’re selling the Revell kit for the same price as a Hasegawa kit! I’ll try EBAY as Amazon UK take some prices to the extreme. Also can I ask of any of you guys who have got experience with the Revell kit, what are the decals like? Usually from experience Revell make nice kits but the decals could be used as flooring in some cases.
I see them listed on Ebay regularly for $20 USD. That’s a fair price for it.