1/72 Hasegawa F-15A Eagle

 by Albert Moore

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  Start of Jewish New Year 2006  

 

This is Hasegawa's old-tool F-15C (kit C6) built as an IDF/AF Improved Baz F-15A. While superseded by the much superior new tool F-15 kit of the same company, this kit still builds into a decent shelf model with a little TLC. Some of the parts on this build came from the new tool kit (ejection seat, fuel tanks, NLG wheel, pitot tubes and other odd & ends) that were left-overs from a botched attempt at another IDF F-15. Other improvements that were made include removing the ailerons and horizontal stabilators and repositioning them for a more candid appearance, and adding AOA probes made from sharpened floral wire. The Python IV missiles on the outboard rails were scratchbuilt from styrene rod and sheet, while the rest of the ordnance came with the kit.

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After I finished assembly and took care of the seams, it was time to paint. Before applying the paint, the natural metal area around the engines and lower rear fuselage were masked off to avoid contamination issues when it came time to paint those areas. The model was painted in the standard IDF/AF F-15 Ghost Gray scheme with Model Master acrylics. Ken Middleton supplied me with a set of templates for the upper surface camouflage patterns via e-mail, which made painting much easier. For a feathered edge between the ghost grays, the templates were suspended from the model's surface with little rolls of Blue-Tak, then the paint was sprayed at a ninety degree angle to the templates.  After applying the camouflage, I rubbed the paint with an old t-shirt to better blend the colors together. A couple of coats of Future was sprayed and then left to dry for a couple of days.

For the markings, I used Sky's Decals F-15 Baz/Improved Baz decal set. This set covers most F-15A through D models in IDF/AF service. I chose (improved) Baz number 695 'The Star' of the Twin Tails Squadron. This Baz is credited with four air-to-air kills (as noted on the avionics access door). The stencils and other common data markings came from the kit decal sheet. The weapon markings were also applied at this time (very monotonous). The decals were left to dry overnight, then the model was wiped down to remove excess decal adhesive and setting solution the next morning. I sprayed Model Master Acryl clear flat for a nice, dull finish.

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With the decaling and clear coat out of the way, I turned my attention to the natural metal areas. After masking off the painted areas, I sprayed several thin coats of SnJ Spray Aluminum on the lower fuselage and engine area. After the metal areas dried, it was time for the fiddly bits (landing gear, weapons, burner cans, etc.). With the last assemblies completed, the model was finished...or so I thought. I had originally applied the nose script decals to the radome, but after getting updated information from Yoav Efrati, out came the paint and spare decals  He said the script had been relocated from the radome to the avionics access panel (to facilitate radome interchangeability between jets). I sanded the nose numbers, kill markings, and nose script away, repainted the radome and avionics access doors, applied the Future and new markings, and sealed it all up with Acryl clear flat. And with that, the model was finished.

Special thanks to Ken Middleton and Yoav Efrati for their assistance with this build.

Albert 

Photos and text © by Albert Moore