Michigan based F-15's

[anthonyp]

Like I said in the Lithuanian F-15A thread, I went Eagle crazy.  

Ever since Jennings first post his Michigan Air National Guard 171st F-15 profiles, I knew I needed to do them up.  But first, I needed to figure out how to do my own decals.  After figuring out how to draw and size them, I took the next step:  Finding a decent printer.  Once I did that, the sky was the limit.

Then my imagination and whiffery took over.  I researched squadrons around Michigan to see if I could come up with other squadrons that were once based here that I might do.  I discovered a Whif I could do that almost was reality.  I found out there were some very famous squadrons once based on the shores of Lake Huron.  And I found out that now that I know how to make my own decals, it's a very bad thing...

First up is the Whif that almost wasn't.  Up in the Upper Penninsula, there used to be a SAC base called K.I. Sawyer AFB.  It, along with Wurtsmith, were Michigan's last two active duty AFB's, and we lost both in the 90's.  Anyways, they had an F-106 unit based up there, the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron "Red Bulls."  In the mid 80's, the squadron was to convert over to F-15's, but failed to do so due to budget constraints.  The 87th disbanded, and the planes went to AMARC, where they sat with their Red Bull markings, until some were destroyed as drones, scrapped, or became Gate Guards.

I took the potential upgrade to F-15's and ran with it, getting this.

Whiffery backstory:

The 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron transitioned from F-106 Delta Darts to F-15C (and D) model Eagles in 1985.  The squadron flies out of K.I. Sawyer AFB in Michigan's upper peninsula.  The 87th FIS became known as the 87th Fighter Squadron in 1994.

While more important during the Cold War, the 87th performs a needed duty along the US's northern border.  The 87th is scheduled to trade in its F-15's for F-23's in 2008.

For more pics of this one, as well as the following, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next up is my most creative/inspired by being hit in the head model.

As always, look here for more detailed pics.

This is one of those old ESCI F-15 Satellite Killers.  I decided to take the plane, and build a real ASAT platform out of it, calling it either the F-15L, LF-15A (L for Launcher) or F-15ASAT.  I decided on F-15L.

I removed the wing gloves and put some cut-off LITENING pods that I decided to make into some sort of long range IRST sensors.  I decided to call them Infrared Space Search and Tracking Telescopes, or IRSSTT.  Yeah, sorta unimaginative, but we are talking the USAF here  

I then decided that since I was uparming Michigan, Wurtsmith needed an F-15 squadron.  The 445th Flight Test Squadron used to be based as an active duty F-101 squadron at Wurtsmith until 1969, when it was moved out to Edwards and flew planes off and on through the ensuing decades.  I also used some of Wurtsmith's history in assigning it to the 40th Space Wing.  I used the old 40th Air Division badge for the 40th SW's.  In addition, I decided to paint it up borrowing markings from another old Wurtsmith F-106 squadron, which was disbanded somewhere along the line, but reestablished as a fighter squadron sometime in the 90's.

Backstory:

Boeing/McDonnel Douglas F-15L Space Eagle (LF-15A, F-15ASat, F-15-to-orbit)

The F-15L design began life as an F-15A modified for use with the ASM-135 Starhawk anti-satellite weapon.  The original YF-15L initially did not have the Infra-Red Space Search and Tracking Telescope (IRSSTT) sensors derived from IRST sensors that F-15L's were equipped with in service.  These sensors were fit to the wing gloves, in place of the M61 cannon and other avionics.  These sensors allowed the plane to track satellites better when in level flight waiting for the target to come into range.  The planes also received slightly more powerful engines and an upgraded radar and computer system.

In an emergency, the F-15L could be transformed into a make-shift F-15A in under two hours.  The IRSSTT sensors were on easily removed pallets, allowing for them to be replaced with a prepared M61 Vulcan cannon and a small ammo drum.  The fuselage hardpoints for missiles were retained as was provision for the fire control computer.

A total of 76 F-15L's were converted from low hour F-15A's, with a further 68 new build fighters.  They formed the first space fighter squadrons of the USAF's Space Command.  They were based at air force bases in Alaska, Guam (with a detachment of six planes each at Diego Garcia and Japan), Montana, Michigan, California (with a detachment of six planes in Hawaii), and the UK (with detachments of six planes each at Iceland and the Canary Islands).

The F-15L was able to launch not only the ASM-135A/C Starhawk, but also the nuclear armed ASM-135B, as well as the ASM-178A Air Launched Standard IV ASM now entering service with the USAF, USN, Canada, and Japan.

This example is shown on the ramp, ready for a training mission at Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda, MI.  It belongs to the 445th Space Fighter Squadron, which form part of the 40th Space Wing stationed there.  Detachments from the squadron routinely deploy to other bases throughout the Great Lakes for training and familiarization.  The squadron's unofficial mottos are "Defenders of the Great Lakes" or "If you seek to look down on a pleasant peninsula, look somewhere else," which is a play on the Michigan state motto ("If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.").

[anthonyp]

Here's two F-15E's from the 107th Fighter Squadron of the 127th Fighter Wing, based at Selfridge ANGB.

Did these as sort of a mental over correction for last year's BRAC, where it was decided Selfridge is going to lose it's F-16's, but then they'd get Battle Creek's 110th Fighter Squadron's A-10's, and a few from other units.  It wasn't enough they made the 171st into garbage haulers, now they're taking our last air defense capable squadron and making them slower than most traffic on the road!

Anyways, decals came from two 1/72 F-16 sheets.  The one with the Falcon's head on it came from a very old decal set that is very hard to find nowadays.  That particular scheme was on the planes up until about 1993, I think.  The other plane is marked up like the base's current F-16's.

As always, click here for more pics.

Backstory:

Following the upgrade from A-7's to F-16's, the 107th Fighter Squadron assumed a more active role in air defense.  In late 1998, the decision was made to change out the 107th's F-16's for early model F-15E's, making it the first ANG unit to switch to the capable heavy fighter bomber.

The first example flew into Selfridge ANGB in June of 2000.  Over the next six months, the base's F-16's were sent to AMARC for storage, while a total of 24 F-15E's came online at Selfridge.

The Strike Eagle complimented the 171st Fighter Squadron's F-15C's and D's, making Selfridge the first ANG Base that had Eagles capable of ground attack and interception.

The below examples are the commander's plane (in the Red Devils markings) and a plane with a scheme similar to one worn by the base's old F-16's when they first arrived.

[anthonyp]

And finally, my pride and joy  

These were my first almost total custom decal jobs.  The only things that aren't are the safety markings and the national insignia.  Tail markings, inlet markings, and squadron badge are all my decals.

These two were based on Jenning's profiles, which sent my mind a' racin'!

BTW, I know the F-15C has a D's canopy, but I misplaced my C's canopy, so came up with a reason for it in the backstory.

As always, click here for more pics.

Backstory:

The 171st Fighter Interceptor Squadron became the 171st Fighter Squadron in 1990 when it received its first F-16ADF variants.  In 1994, the decision was made to exchange the early model F-16's with more capable early model F-15C's and D's.  The 24 planes of the 171st joined the other F-15 squadrons stationed at K.I. Sawyer and Wurtsmith AFB's in defending the Great Lakes (K.I. Sawyer's 87th Fighter Squadron with C and D models, and Wurtsmith's F-15L equipped 445th Fighter Squadron).

The following examples are the commander's aircraft (an F-15D) and a typical Six-Pack marked Eagle.  This particular F-15C had its canopy damaged while on assignment to Keflavick, Iceland.  It was replaced by an F-15D's canopy and continues to fly with it.

[anthonyp]

One final big group pic.

Last time I'm plugging the directory with lots of large pics of these models!!

[Brian da Basher]

That's one amazingly sweet fleet there Anthony! Those Eagles look superb! I especially like the last two with those great custom tail decals! Excellent work sir!

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

I bow in the wake of such awe-inspiring proliferation!

 

[Captain Canada]

Great stuff, Anthony !

I love the look of the one with the IRSST, very eye catching. I love aeroplanes with lumps and bumps. makes me think of how cool a dedicated EF-15 would look.........

The last two are especially pleasing, with that cool MI ANG tail marking. Can't decide which one I like better, tho...the colour or low-vis.



Where the heck do you keep all these birds ?

PS-that wasn't you trying to crash the gate yesterday, was it ?

[anthonyp]

Where do I keep them?  In boxes right now.  Carefully placed in boxes.  With this house being shown at random times, I can't just leave them out.  They're also all 1/72, so most are relatively small, so even when they were out, they didn't take up much room.

And no, t'weren't me showing how bad Selfridge's security really is (two security breaches in a month!).  I just partake in large, traffic snarling accidents outside the fence.

[Captain Canada]

It sucks when stuff like that happens, tho. Then security gets extra tight, and you'll be arrested for riding past on your bike trying to get a look at a few aeroplanes.

I was also thinking more about the EF-15. You could use the conformal tanks of the 'E' model as avionics bays.......

[anthonyp]

Like I said in my wreck thread, you can't park on M-59 anymore and watch the planes.  But these security breaches are just nuts.

Speaking of EF-15's, Evan's got it and a few other Eagle mods in his head.  I almost did one of the F-15E's up as an EF-15 using some jamming pods off an EA-6B and some HARM missiles.  Also thought about changing out the LANTIRN and LITENING pods for smaller jammers or something.  Like I said, Evan's got a more fleshed out idea of what an EF-15 would be.

That F-15L was just an inspired work (ie, came to me in a beer induced vision).  Well, at least the IRSSTT mods, that is.  I was looking for another F-15 Satellite Killer on eBay, but the auction that I had my eye on (the kit was in Bay City, MI) ended the day of my wreck, and I was in no condition to remember to get on and bid on it.

[nev]

Wow, these are probly the best models you've posted here Anthony!  Great stuff!  

What kit(s) did you use?

[anthonyp]

Lessee...

87th FS:  1/72 Italeri F-15C
107th FS:  The Commander's bird is a Revell 1/72 F-15E and the other one is a 1/72 Italeri F-15E
171st FS:  The commander's bird is a 1/72 Hasegawa F-15D/DJ and the other is a 1/72 Academy F-15C (had to go upscale for the 171st  B)  )
445th FS:  The old 1/72 ESCI F-15 Satellite Killer kit.

   

[lancer]

Brilliant anthony, bloody drilliant.