Hasegawa 1/72 McDonnell F-15DJ EAGLE Fighter Training Group 20th Anniversary # 02362

Hasegawa 1/72 McDonnell F-15DJ EAGLE Fighter Training Group 20th Anniversary # 02362

Markings
J.A.S.D.F. Fighter Training Group 23rd SQ group 20th anniv. special marking Code: 054 (12-8054) Nyutabaru A.B. Aug.,2020

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine fighter and attack aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas.

It made its first flight on July 27, 1972. The F-15 is the outcome of combat experience garnered in Vietnam, as well as a response to the USAAF's purchase of Soviet MiG-23 and MiG-25 fighters.

It was developed as part of the FX (Fighter Experimental) project, which saw McDonnell-Douglas emerge victorious in 1969.

The F-15 was designed with the goal of cutting down on service time as much as feasible.

It basically consisted of installing as many simple-to-use parts as possible on the one hand, and using automatic systems to save humans on the other.

As a result, the F-4 Phantom's successor, which outperforms it in every way, may be delivered in half the time.

The F-15's twin of Pratt-Whitney F100 afterburner engines create 4500 kg more thrust than the machine itself, allowing it to make tight manoeuvres without losing valuable speed.

It also allows for the suspension of a large amount of extra weapons under the wings and fuselage at 8 knots.

Several variations of the F-15 have been developed since its introduction into service.

The C and D versions, which replaced the A and B versions in 1979, are the second generation of single-seater and two-seater aircraft.

Externally, they are very identical, but the avionics have been extensively modified, making the Eagle considerably more lethal as a weapon.

The F-15D also experimented with ASAT anti-satellite missiles in the 1980s. At the same time, a variant of the F15-E Strike Eagle was being developed.

Unlike previous versions, the version E is not just a fighter capable of achieving air superiority, but also an assault aircraft capable of attacking ground objectives.

The E variant was introduced in 1988 and is planned to be in production until 2035.

Another derivative is the F-15J, which is exported and manufactured in Japan under licence.

Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea were among the countries that received F-15s.

During Operation Desert Storm and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the F-15 proved to be a very effective machine, scoring air victories among other things.

Technical specifications (version E): Maximum speed: 2660 km/h, climb speed: 255 m/s, practical ceiling 19500 metres, maximum range: 5580 kilometres, armament: fixed - 1 six-barrel 20mm M61A-1 gun, suspended - up to 10,660kg payload