1/32 Tamiya F-15E 

by Daniel

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Another one in my series of “summer break” models is this Tamiya F-15E Strike Eagle, re-released as “Bunker Buster”. I’ve already done a “normal” F-15E, the first Tamiya release; the new kit is nearly the same, just containing two sprues for the AGM-130/GBU-15, GBU-28 “Bunker Buster”, GBU-31 JDAM, AIM-120B AMRAAM and last but not least two new drop tanks. It has also some new decals in addition to those in the older kit. Other stores are the same, AIM-9L/Ms, GBU-10, CBUs etc

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Most of my preparation time I had to find a nice (and reasonable) weapons load. Strikeeagle.com has a lot of variations, nice website. Finally I did the following: two AIM-9Ms, two AIM-120Cs (I took the kit –B Slammers and cut the fins, sorry *g*), complete LANTIRN/FLIR and two drop tanks hanging under the wings. 

Six MK 82 Snakeyes and one GBU-24 from the Academy Hornet kits, a GBU-31 JDAM and a GBU-28 supplied by the kit itself, the last one put on the centerline, In my sight, this is a reasonable weapons load, but I would really have appreciated some GBU-12s, finally had them from the Academy F-16CJ/CG kit, but they were used on the plane itself and the F/A-18D Marines Hornet. Oh someone has to release a big Modern US weapons set, like those of Hasegawa, only in /32!!! 

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The last two photos show the weapons load, oh my, I do really like the Strike Eagle, in my next life, I wanna be an Eagle driver! Camo is only Tamiya Dark Grey, for weathering, I sprayed some areas in Black, and highlighted other panels with Tamiya Medium Blue, looks quite used. Before decaling, another layer of thinned Dark Grey was applied, then some Revell of Germany Gloss Coat. Kit decals went on quite nice, but somehow the Mr. Mark Softer didn’t do his job on the left rudder, this decal “LN” has silvered.

Daniel

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Photos and text © by Daniel