Built to replace the F-4 Phantom in the interceptor role, the F-15 Eagle has enjoyed much success here in the US as well as with export sales. A large and technically complicated aircraft, it has not enjoyed the sales success of the smaller F-16 mainly due to its high cost and the fact that the single-seater is not a capable ground support aircraft, an important consideration as most customers want a multi-purpose aircraft.

My particular fondness for the F-15 stems from the two years I spent at Keflavik, Iceland. Every day I would either see or hear the F-15C/Ds of the 57 FIS while at work maintaining P-3 Orions for the deployed patrol squadrons. Sadly those days are over both for me and the 57 FIS as we were both retired after Desert Storm, me because of reduction in forces and the 57 FIS because the US had won the cold war and they were no longer needed. F-15s still fly Icelandic skies, but they are from other units on short deployments.

So, what is on this sheet?  There are three subjects, all in the original Eagle colors, not the Mod Eagle scheme. The sheet provides enough stencils to do one aircraft, though the national insignia will have to come from another source. These decals will fit any of the 1/48 F-15s from Monogram, Hasegawa or Fujimi, though I would imagine the Hasegawa kit to be the first choice of many.

First scheme is for an F-15A. It is the Wing Commander's plane for the 21st TFW, though the aircraft, 74-100 belonged to the 43rd TFS. This bird was retired to the boneyard in May 1992 after serving with the 199 FS, Hawaiian ANG.

Next is the reason I bought the sheet, 80-048, an F-15C of the 57 FIS at Keflavik. All the Icelandic Eagles had a map of Iceland with an eagles head in it as well as a black and white checked tail band. Disposition of the plane after Iceland is unknown though it was probably sent to another unit in the US.

Lastly is the 57 FWW F-15C 82-026. This aircraft has the yellow and black checked tail band of the Nellis AFB Fighter Weapons Wing. From there it went to the 325 FW, the training wing at Tyndall AFB where it continues to serve.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

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