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This is the Revell/Monogram
F-15E built as an F-15I. The job isn't too difficult, the devil is very
definitely in the details! Major external differences which I caught are
the simple counterweights on both fintops rather than just one as in the F-15E,
the ECM antenna pod on the port fin was removed and replaced with a piece
of Contrail rod and sanded to shape. The small antenna on the tips of the
booms are slightly different on the Ra'am as well, both being rectangular, with
one being orientated with the long side in the vertical and the other with the
long side in the horizontal. I knew about these differences but didn't have
enough info to do anything about it at the time! I've since learned the
F-15I also has extra chaff/flare dispensors under the tail booms. . ahh well!
All Israeli Eagles
also have the Turkey feathers on the F-100 exhausts in place. . someone was
generous enough to send me a spare set from a Hasegawa Eagle-problem
solved!
My model has a Black
Box resin interior installed, this set is a work of art, with great definition
and fabulous seats. . . fitting took a little juggling and sanding but nothing
beyond the realms of most average modellers. The biggest problem I had with the
set was that with the interior of the F-15I being painted black, very little is
visible! Would look great on one of the grey interiored USAF birds tho'.
I'd generally recommend this set, but wouldn't panic if you can't get hold of
it- the interior in the kit is actually pretty good as is
anyway.
General fit of the
model is just great. . I used a little filler on the rear booms and a touch more
on the lower joint between the front and rear fuselage, and that was about it
save a little white glue run around parts of the CFT's to fill minor gaps. I was
worried about the fit of the upper wings and the unusual break point. This
concern turned out to be groundless, and simply a light touch with the glue and
a wiper over with steel wool made the join look exactly like a panel line
(which, in fact, it is!). The moulded in tailplanes were a disappointment to me,
but about a half hours work separated them and had some rod installed, along
with some tube let into the fuselage to match the rod. . . my tailplanes are a
snug fit and could move if I was that way inclined. A simple job and one that
helps the overall look in my opinion, as well as helping with the
application of the complex Israeli camoflage. I also cut and gently
deflected the ailerons down. . . I've rarely seen the flaps drooped on a parked
Eagle, but the Ailerons always seem to.
My stores were a
real mish mash. . the 500LB GBU-12 and 2000LB GBU-10 Paveway II LGB's are from
the latest Hasegawa weapons set (in fact, two sets were needed for enough
stores!), to give you an idea of the work involved these eleven bombs have,
between them , some 180 decals applied! You have to REALLY want your Mudhen
bombed up to stick this process out! The AIM-120's and launch rails are
from SOL Models of Korea and are resin. . . these are quite spectacular when
made up and are very highly recommended. The Python 4 SRAAM's are from
Eagle designs, and were, frankly, a disappointment, with many air holes and
distorted fins to deal with. . I had two sets of them, and was just about able
to make one good pair. Great looking missile tho'!
(click on
the images below to load the full size photo)
(use your
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All paints were from
Humbrol, and I used my usual Blu-Tack masking method for the camoflage. Although
the green (34424) is generally accepted to be close to RAF Sky in colour,
pictures had convinced me it was actually greener than this, so I took a pot of
Humbrol #90 Sky and added about 30% Humbrol #120 (34227) to it to shift it
ore towards the green. . the result looks good to me. The wash is my usual
dark grey oil paint scrubbed into the lines and the excess removed with plenty
of fresh kitchen towel. Decals are from Sky's, a new Israeli company, and went
over a couple coats of Future with no problems whatsoever. Final coat is Tamiya
clear mixed with Flat base. This is a great looking Eagle, certainly one
of the best colour schemes the aircraft wears in my opinion, and it has garnered
plenty of comment wherever I've shown it. Certainly makes a change from
endless Gunship Grey ones anyhow! Now. . how about a Saudi F-15S?
Thanks to:-
Steve Bamford at ARC for the review model
Mike Kirchoff for the BB interior
Pete Tasker for the exhausts
Paul Cotcher for the timely supply of the Pythons
Everyone at ARC for their patience. . I know you've been waiting forever guys
but hey, better late then never eh?
Drewe
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