F-15X What-If USAF Fighter

[Spino]

So most of us are probably aware of the F-15EX that has been making the news over the last couple of years, but there was actually a proposal to build a single-seat version too.  This was referred to as the F-15X or F-15CX, and it basically would have been an F-15C with the upgrades of the EX.  Got me to thinking...

[DogfighterZen]

The F-15X/EX came out after the Silent Eagle proposal was rejected, which in terms of cost, would've been more expensive than the one coming out now. That would go against the whole idea of modernizing the F-15 family because of the F-35s so they kept the X simpler.
The USAF chose the twin seat E to reduce pilot workload because it's going to be more of a bomb/missile truck to work in conjunction with the stealth fighters. That and also because of the fact that only the twin seat remained in production.
Still, that shouldn't stop you from building whatever you imagined... didn't stop me from building my F-15CSE as an Israeli fighter back in 2016 and just a few days i read about the IAF's intention to upgrade the F-15I to IA (Israel Advanced). 

[Spino]

Well I'm not completely sure about the pilot workload consideration, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the ANG would be flying their F-15EXs with only the front seat occupied for the most part.  But from a flexibility perspective (like UCAV direction ops) and the 2-seat F-15E being the only variant still in production, the F-15EX does make the most sense.  The EX is mostly air to air focused from what I understand, but can carry the same load as the F-15E for mud moving/stand-off ground attack if required.  Just for fun I was considering building a what-if F-15X using the old single seat proposal as a basis, along with the original "not a pound for air to ground" philosophy of the F-15A/C.  I'd probably use the Revell 1/48 F-15C as a base since it doesn't hurt the wallet too much, with Hasegawa 1/48 Aircraft Weapons E for the massive load of AIM-120s that such a plane would carry.  Probably would have to 3D print AMBER racks if I was going to get more than 4 missiles on the fuselage, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.  As it is with 4 on the fuselage, 3 on each inner wing, and 2 on each outer wing, that's 14 AMRAAMs, so one Weapons E kit (10 or 12) wouldn't be enough!

[DogfighterZen]

Well I'm not completely sure about the pilot workload consideration, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the ANG would be flying their F-15EXs with only the front seat occupied for the most part.  But from a flexibility perspective (like UCAV direction ops) and the 2-seat F-15E being the only variant still in production, the F-15EX does make the most sense.  The EX is mostly air to air focused from what I understand, but can carry the same load as the F-15E for mud moving/stand-off ground attack if required.  Just for fun I was considering building a what-if F-15X using the old single seat proposal as a basis, along with the original "not a pound for air to ground" philosophy of the F-15A/C.  I'd probably use the Revell 1/48 F-15C as a base since it doesn't hurt the wallet too much, with Hasegawa 1/48 Aircraft Weapons E for the massive load of AIM-120s that such a plane would carry.  Probably would have to 3D print AMBER racks if I was going to get more than 4 missiles on the fuselage, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.  As it is with 4 on the fuselage, 3 on each inner wing, and 2 on each outer wing, that's 14 AMRAAMs, so one Weapons E kit (10 or 12) wouldn't be enough!

Yes, i also remember reading something about single seat operations with the EX. Your idea sounds ambitious and would be great to see so, you have my vote, go for it! 

[Spino]

Sounds like I may have a new kit to order soon 

[McColm]

I was thinking of a kitbash using the 1/72 F-15E and the F-22A.

[Spino]

I was thinking of a kitbash using the 1/72 F-15E and the F-22A.

Sounds like an F-15SE Silent Eagle sort of thing.

[McColm]

I was thinking of a kitbash using the 1/72 F-15E and the F-22A.

Sounds like an F-15SE Silent Eagle sort of thing.

There are a few problems with this kitbash, the fuselage weapons bays aren't long enough to accommodate the current air-to-air missiles if I use the HobbyBoss kit so the conformal fuel tanks will have to be removed. Having used the F-35B V/STOL parts on two of my builds a Harrier Eagle might be the way forward.

[Spino]

Oh my god not a Harrier Eagle.

[Spino]

Model ordered, should arrive this weekend.

[McColm]

Oh my god not a Harrier Eagle.

Why not? They tried to sell the Eagle to the USNAVY but it was too heavy, there was a STOL version tested so a V/STOL makes sense to me.

[kerick]

Oh my god not a Harrier Eagle.

Why not? They tried to sell the Eagle to the USNAVY but it was too heavy, there was a STOL version tested so a V/STOL makes sense to me.

Would that be a Hagle, or Heagle would sound better. Or an Earrier? My spell checker has lost its mind.......
Build it now. You know you want to!

[McColm]

Oh my god not a Harrier Eagle.

Why not? They tried to sell the Eagle to the USNAVY but it was too heavy, there was a STOL version tested so a V/STOL makes sense to me.

Would that be a Hagle, or Heagle would sound better. Or an Earrier? My spell checker has lost its mind.......
Build it now. You know you want to!

I've posted my plans for the Harrier Eagle on the What if Ideas page, I hope to start the process in November/December 2023 finishing by Spring of 2024. Allowing time for other builds to get finished and my stash to grow again.

[Spino]

The Revell F-15C has arrived!  Unfortunately these older kits don't have the greatest part alignment, going to need some sanding for sure!

[Spino]

Started work on the cockpit.  The big old analog UFC had to go, going to replace it with a scratch-built panoramic display like the one in the F-35/F-15EX.  I may have removed a bit much of the UFC, there still needs to be one, but I can scratch-build it back if needed.