F-15 Two Seater Recommendations

Mossie · July 17, 2024, 01:05:52 PM

Hi all, I'm looking for recommendations for an F-15B or D in 1/72. I'm finding this harder than I thought, the only ones I'm aware of are the old Airfix and Hasegawa kits.

A Strike Eagle is possible, if it's possible to leave off the FAST packs, although I'm not quite sure what's required to convert one back to an earlier model.

Cheers in advance!

Gondor · July 17, 2024, 01:23:06 PM

As far as I can tell, converting an E to a B or D is not to attach the FAST packs, the pylons under the intakes and then to make sure the correct lumps on the tops of the fins are correct. The main difference between the B and the D is probably the engines. The B had "Turkey Feathers" while the D did not, same as the E in that respect.

Academy, ESCI and Revell also did kits of the B/D, have a look at Scalemates.

Gondor

Mossie · July 17, 2024, 02:24:46 PM

Funnily enough, I just found out about the ESCI kit between our posts. I've had a quick look on eBay and the only one available is from France, the postage is twice the price of the kit.

I can't find an Academy or Revell B. Is the Revell kit the old Monogram version?

I've found Hasegawa do two versions, an older B/D with raised panel lines and a more recent one that's currently available in as DJ. I'd prefer a B, but I'm not too fussy and I may plump for the more modern kit.

Gondor · July 17, 2024, 10:10:53 PM

Quote from: Mossie on July 17, 2024, 02:24:46 PMFunnily enough, I just found out about the ESCI kit between our posts. I've had a quick look on eBay and the only one available is from France, the postage is twice the price of the kit.

I can't find an Academy or Revell B. Is the Revell kit the old Monogram version?

I've found Hasegawa do two versions, an older B/D with raised panel lines and a more recent one that's currently available in as DJ. I'd prefer a B, but I'm not too fussy and I may plump for the more modern kit.

Going by the information on Scalemates, yes the Revell kit is a reboxing of the Monogram kit. Sounds as if the Hasegawa DJ is your best bet. Look for pictures of the B version online, builds etc to help backdate it to the B. I honestly don't know if the instrument panel was changed as that would be the hardest thing to alter depending on how accurate you want to be.

Best of luck

Gondor

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 12:39:47 AM

From what I can gather, the instrument panels were different, the later model having MFD's. I had in my mind an earlier timeframe but it really doesn't make a difference to the build.

From what I can gather, there are other minor mods like aerial fit and various lumps and bumps that have been added along the years. I might just ignore my hankering for an earlier model.

DogfighterZen · July 18, 2024, 02:06:02 AM

Mossie, there's the Italeri F-15E, which is actually a B/D with the FAST packs on the sprue. It has the early tail fin top antennas (one on the left is thicker than the one on the right), there are no sensors on the elevator fairing aft tips, no bulged main gear doors and has early type wheels and cockpit.
The worst bits of the kit are the exhaust nozzles, crude representation of the "featherless" P&W F100 engine nozzles. I think these kits are a nice option for what you're after.
I believe it's still easy to find this kit at reasonable prices on ebay or some online stores.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/italeri-166-f-15e-strike-eagle--595825

zenrat · July 18, 2024, 04:12:12 AM

Im using one of the early Hasegawa kits in my F45 Pheagle build.
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=52977.0
Hasegawa don't identify it's exact designation, just labelling it an F-15.
It's pretty simple - a kit of it's time (1974).

<edit> Just read the topic properly. The one i'm using a single seater.

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 07:14:00 AM

Quote from: DogfighterZen on July 18, 2024, 02:06:02 AMMossie, there's the Italeri F-15E, which is actually a B/D with the FAST packs on the sprue.

Thanks, I might go for that. It seems there are two Hasegawa kits, a D/DJ and a DJ (usually in a special or aggressor scheme). The first one is the old B kit with raised lines and extra sprues for the D/DJ. The second one is much modern, goes together really nicely but is more than twice the price.

Quote from: zenrat on July 18, 2024, 04:12:12 AMIm using one of the early Hasegawa kits in my F45 Pheagle build.
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=52977.0
Hasegawa don't identify it's exact designation, just labelling it an F-15.
It's pretty simple - a kit of it's time (1974).

<edit> Just read the topic properly. The one i'm using a single seater.

I think this is the same basic kit as the D/DJ kit, just with the two seat cockpit and D sprue. I think it's from the era when several manufacturers updated their old raised line kits with upgraded recessed line bits.

I'm going to weigh up the pros and cons of the Italeri F-15E that's cheaper and the $$$ shake and bake Hasegawa kit. Although I baulk at the price for the Hase kit, part of me just needs a very easy build right now. I'll see which side of me wins out, tight or lazy. Cheers all for your help!

DogfighterZen · July 18, 2024, 07:52:19 AM

Well, i haven't built the Italeri twin seat Eagle but i have built their single seat and i can say it's an easy and fun build, Recessed panel lines, although they may not be as refined or accurate as on the more recent Hase kit, they're not trenches and are actually very restrained. I have another C and the E kits in the stash cause i enjoyed building the C and the price compared to the Hase is a big difference.
Anyway, the Hase modern kit is better, no question. Guess it comes down to availability and price/quality ratio justifying it or not.

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 08:16:38 AM

It seems the Hasegawa DJ kit is not readily available in the UK so I have to pay heavy postage on top of the heavy price. This brings it into the region of £50/€60, compared to around £18/€21 for the Italeri Beagle. So tight has won out, plus your recommendation too.

Old Wombat · July 18, 2024, 08:34:34 AM

Mossie, have you looked at HLJ (Hobby Link Japan)?

The Yen is a tad weak at the moment & you may be able to get a Hase F-15 relatively cheaply, including postage.

Zero-Sen · July 18, 2024, 09:24:39 AM

I Mossie,

Have you tried kingkit web site ?

https://www.kingkit.co.uk/shop.php?search=kitfinder&search_term=strike%20eagle&brand=&cat=26&scale=1^72

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 09:52:50 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on July 18, 2024, 08:34:34 AMMossie, have you looked at HLJ (Hobby Link Japan)?

The Yen is a tad weak at the moment & you may be able to get a Hase F-15 relatively cheaply, including postage.

Excellent suggestion, unfortunately the DJ kit is discontinued. $:-\$ Shame because the prices were awesome compared to the UK. $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 09:56:16 AM

Quote from: Zero-Sen on July 18, 2024, 09:24:39 AMI Mossie,
Have you tried kingkit web site ?

https://www.kingkit.co.uk/shop.php?search=kitfinder&search_term=strike%20eagle&brand=&cat=26&scale=1^72

Yes, I'd seen the Italeri kit on there (the price I mentioned above is rough with postage). It seems the best price for that kit and I'll buy from there if I plump for it.

Mossie · July 18, 2024, 09:58:21 AM

I've also looked at ebay and the cheapest prices for the Hasegawa kit are 'only' double what I'd pay Italeri. Back to deliberating.