streak-eagle 10 Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 (edited) 1/48 F-15 Streak Eagle Conversion Details Updated 03/27/07- Added removal of the HUD to the Known Items conversion list (thanks geedubelyer) and elimination of the HUD control panel to the unconfirmed items list. Updated 03/30/07 - Below is the link to the Photos I received from Alclad. Be sure to comment on any features I may have missed. StreakEagle10 Photo Page Unknown or Unconfirmed Items/Questions Fuselage: The tailhook was replaced with a "hold down device" for launch. I have no reference that explains the location or appearance of this device. Is it visible? Try as I might, I have not found a definitive reference for re-scribing the speed brake fairing area. Pictures are mentioned in the ARC forums but I can find them. Landing Gear: In photos of the Streak Eagle around the record attempts, there appears to be lines or wiring running down the nose gear similar to the Taxi/Landing light wiring. Since the lights are gone, I expected the wiring to be gone. Is it there for some other purpose, or is what I'm seeing something else (or am I just seeing things!)? Cockpit: I have not seen any photos of the inside of the Streak eagle cockpit. I'm guessing it is the early F-15A configuration with the following changes: Front instrument panel displays/panels removed: - HUD Control panel - TEWs display - Radar scope - Armament Control Panel - Standard G-Meter Add larger G-Meter (where the radar scope display was?) Port Console panels removed: - All Navigation related panels - IFF and TEWs panels - Radar Panel Starboard Console panels removed: - All TEWS, Navigation , and Compass related panels All of the cockpit information above is a guess based on text about the aircraft and my own 'reverse' engineering. Besides the G-Meter (I'm guessing it was big and round), I don't know what else was added. References mention a standby attitude gyro and equipment to support the full pressure suit. I can't even guess if this was visible or what it looked like. Also, I know there was an over the shoulder video camera. In pictures, the mount is shown clear enough, but the camera is very vague (all I can see is a black box with wire leads hanging from it...) Bay 5: I am assuming bay 5 should be mostly empty with no ECM or TEWS boxes. But there was potentially other equipment added such as a video recorder, battery powered radio, and altitude verification equipment. Any information about if any of this is actually in Bay 5, what it looked like, or if this equipment was likely out-of sight in another bay would be helpful. Known Conversion items: Early F-15A Fuselage: No paint (to save weight) Duraluminum nose cone with instrument boom (using boom from Hasegawa Streak Eagle kit) Sealed gun aperture (gun eliminated to save weight) Sealed gun bay vents for cooling air and gas ventilation Sealed round vent on the starboard side near the rear canopy rail Eliminate UHF/VHF radio antenna blade on upper fuselage spine Sealed early short speed brake Early speed brake fairing (re-scribe panel lines in this area) Sealed Sparrow missile attachment points (no ‘C’ mount or kicker – close all openings) Eliminate strake over rear Sparrow missile attachment points No ordinance or tank pylons on wings or fuselage Wing flaps permanently up (actuators were eliminated to save weight) All formation and navigation lights sealed on wings (including low intensity panels on wingtips) Remove the starboard side lower aft avionics heat exchanger exhaust duct and intake door Remove low intensity navigation light panels on sides of aft fuselage (framing remains) Tail hook opening fully covered with standard doors (tail hook eliminated to save weight) Engine nozzles with 'turkey feathers' (using Hasegawa PE parts) Vertical stabs with EWWS (or similar) antenna housings on both tails (pre-record attempt with tail patch marking) Vertical stabs with small mass balance on both tails instead of EWWS housings (record attempts – no tail patch marking) Colored navigation lights on upper trailing edge of both tails sealed Landing Gear: Eliminate taxi and landing lights from nose gear (eliminated to save weight) Forward nose gear door closed while on the ground (prior to record attempts) Forward nose gear door open while on the ground (for record attempts) Early wheel design on main gear Forward main gear doors closed while on the ground (prior to record attempts) Forward main gear doors open while on the ground (for record attempts) Cockpit: IC-7 Ejection seat (black seat with grey ejection rails) Remove HUD Add "over the shoulder" video camera and mount next to the port side of the Ejection seat Add large white UHF blade antenna on rear canopy deck Hopefully this list is accurate and helpful to other modelers who might want to build Streak Eagles. Thanks! Ken Edited August 20, 2014 by streak-eagle 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 Still hoping for some input on unknown items/questions from the F-15 experts.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Well. Must say, excellent first post. Superb info on a subject that has not been covered enough. Looking forward to additional post with more info. Welcome! Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Well. Must say, excellent first post. Superb info on a subject that has not been covered enough. Looking forward to additional post with more info. Welcome!Chuck Thanks Chuck! I've been scouring the internet and my references for a month. I had a nice breakthrough over the weekend when someone at Alclad sent me some great Streak Eagle photos from Boeing (I had inquired about an Alclad Streak Eagle painting reference I found on the web with the old Alclad color codes). The photos pretty much cleared up all the exterior conversion items. The cockpit is tough. I suspect no photos were taken, or if they were, aren't available to the public. I'm working through my conversion from the rear forward (I'm about 1/3 done) hoping that by the time I have nothing else to do besides the cockpit, I'll have some better information. I'm figuring worst case, maybe some of the F-15 experts on the forum can comment on my reverse engineering of the cockpit changes so at least we have a good guess about what it looked like. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hey Ken, Might have some additional info for you. Looking at some of my references and came up with this. The Streak Eagle was Ser# 72-0119. Radar and fire control systems and non mission critical cockpit displays also removed. You are right about the nose gear landing lights and wiring gone also. The rear facing cooling scoop on the right fuselage boom (just ahead of the stabilator) was removed, you might have mentioned that, if we are talking about the same thing. Also, note large UHF antenna under the main canopy behind the bow. Are you sure about the short speed break? Anything else I can come up with I'll try to let you know. Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hey Ken,Might have some additional info for you. Looking at some of my references and came up with this. The Streak Eagle was Ser# 72-0119. Radar and fire control systems and non mission critical cockpit displays also removed. You are right about the nose gear landing lights and wiring gone also. The rear facing cooling scoop on the right fuselage boom (just ahead of the stabilator) was removed, you might have mentioned that, if we are talking about the same thing. Also, note large UHF antenna under the main canopy behind the bow. Are you sure about the short speed break? Anything else I can come up with I'll try to let you know. Chuck Chuck, Thanks for taking the time to do some digging. I think I pretty much have the items you came across. I have been trying to reverse engineer the effect of the eliminated equipment on the cockpit displays. My list of cockpit changes is my best guess, but I'm just not sure. We are talking about the same cooling scoop on the right fuselage boom (my terminology might not be the best). The small forward facing scoop/door that opens on that side a few feet in front of the rear facing scoop is also clearly sealed off in one of the new reference photos I got. I have noticed the large white UHF antenna added under the main canopy. I'm assuming there will be electrical leads inside the canopy to this antenna but I'm not sure what these leads would connect to - something on the cockpit or something in Bay 5? The speed brake question is a good one. The Hasegawa kit instuctions show the short speed brake and a couple of completed models I have seen on the web show this feature (although they lack other features that I have been able to confirm). Someone also reported the short speed brake in an ARC post. I have not seen any definitive top view photo of the Streak Eagle to be dead sure. The new side view photo I got from my contact at Alclad is large enough to see some detail in this area and it seems to suggest the shorter speed brake configuration. What this photo clearly confirms is that the speed brake was sealed, not just made inoperable with the removal of the actuator. There are clearly visible plates in the hinge area on the forward edge of the speed brake. It is possible this is a part of all new structure installed to replace the speed brake. I have asked my contact at Alcald if I can post the photos on ARC. Your opinion on this would be helpful, so I will post them if allowed. These photos also show the 'mystery' wiring that runs down the front landing gear leg. It is identical to the landing light wiring, but the lights are clearly removed. Perhaps there is other wiring in that harness that is still needed? Keep your ideas coming. I'm doing the pre-record attempt configuration with the tail patch. I have completed the tail changes and rescribed the raised panel lines on the horizontal stabs. Wing weapons pylon mounts and formation lighting will be filled tonight and then on to the fuselage mods..... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hi Ken, Unless anyone can prove otherwise I can confidentally confirm that Streak Eagle had/has the shorter pre-production speed brake. A long while ago I spent some time trying to do this sort of project. In the end I modelled the aircraft with the canopy closed and pilot in place. I deleted the HUD and not much else can be seen. As for the airframe skin colours, I ended up with a certain amount of speculation in that area. I could n't find many top views so I went from assembly line photos. These give a reasonable idea of what an un-painted version look like. I'll keep an eye out for your project, please post pics over in the "In-Progress" forum. Here's my attempt in case it helps any: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....hl=streak+eagle :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hi Ken, Unless anyone can prove otherwise I can confidentally confirm that Streak Eagle had/has the shorter pre-production speed brake. A long while ago I spent some time trying to do this sort of project. In the end I modelled the aircraft with the canopy closed and pilot in place. I deleted the HUD and not much else can be seen. As for the airframe skin colours, I ended up with a certain amount of speculation in that area. I could n't find many top views so I went from assembly line photos. These give a reasonable idea of what an un-painted version look like. I'll keep an eye out for your project, please post pics over in the "In-Progress" forum. Here's my attempt in case it helps any: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....hl=streak+eagle ;) geedubelyr, Thanks for the reply! Your Streak Eagle looks great! With the exception of the gun bay aperature/vents and speed brake omissions you mention, and possibly the main gear wheel color?, your model looks like the most accurate one I have seen so far. I agree with you on the short speed brake. Looks like the tails and gear doors on your model match what I have seen for the record attempt configuration. Nice job on the nose probe and under canopy UHF antenna too! What paint did you use for your finish? It turned out well, especially if you brushed it! I'm planning to do a parked, pre record-attempt configuration so I want the canopy open. The cockpit is a challenge I'm going to try and tackle. I can't get it too wrong unless someone knows exactly what is right... In any case you just saved me from a big error because I missed that the HUD was removed! I just checked every picture I have and sure enough it is not there in any configuration. I'll add that change to my list. Anything else on my list come to mind as missing or incorrect? I got permission to post the pictures from my Alclad contact. They are really good except for no top view and no cockpit photo. I'll try to figure out how to post them later this week. Below is a link to the old Alclad Streak Eagle painting reference I found (Streak Eagle is on page 3). It includes painting instructions for the top view but I don't know how accurate they are. Alclad is now Alclad II and the new colors don't translate to the old products. Back to custom mixing.... http://rides.webshots.com/album/256694963xYWsDo Maybe if we get enough of this figured out you can do that 1/32 version you mentioned. Thanks again for your help! Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack in El Paso Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Tho I have not read thru the entire topic string here - how are you fixed for pics? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hey Ken, Glad we are getting some answers and moving along with this post. Sounds like the short speed brake is the answer. Problem solved! I'll dig a little farther in some references I have on additional info. Interesting topic for sure. Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Tho I have not read thru the entire topic string here - how are you fixed for pics? Jack, I have 5 quality photographs that I am going to post by the end of the week. I got them from a contact at Alclad (the metalic paint company) who got them from Boeing (MDD). He gave me permission to post them earlier today. Two of the pictures I have seen published before, but all these photos are large size, clear copies that are outstanding references. All the pictures seem to be of the aircraft in pre-record attempt configuration (with the tail patch and larger electronics housings on the tails). I just have to spend a minute to find and go through the ARC instruction for posting pics (I'm a newbie). If you have additional photos, I would love to see them. We can't seem to find a good top view photo, and nothing at all of the cockpit or bay 5. Once this topic runs its course, I'm going to to a final update to the conversion list and post any photos we manage to collect (within copyright rules). Thanks for responding! Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Hey Ken,Glad we are getting some answers and moving along with this post. Sounds like the short speed brake is the answer. Problem solved! I'll dig a little farther in some references I have on additional info. Interesting topic for sure. Chuck Chuck, I'm excited others are helping. I'm really hoping (hint,hint) that some of the guys who know about the Eagle's mechanicals and systems can help validate and clarify the cockpit and bay 5 changes I am speculating on in the conversion list. I'll be pleasently surprised if any cockpit photos show up, so I think we will have to relate the equipment deletions and additions from text decriptions to what is standard in the early F-15a cockpit, and derive something that is close. For example, we know the Streak Eagle had no radar. Therefore it is logical that any cockpit panels related to the radar would have been removed. I have a good idea what most of the panels in the cockpit are for from standard references, but I'm no expert and could easily have it wrong. But, I think the experts who have experience with 1:1 Eagles would know or be able to make more intelligent guesses. We can just do the same thing for the other deleted systems. I also would love to know how the panels would likely have been deleted. Would the openings just have a blank panel replacing the standard equipment? Would this panel be black or grey? (right now I'm guessing grey based on a photo of a prototype F-15 without the TEWS display that shows a grey blank panel) Same idea with some of the equipment that was added. For example, the 'over the shoulder' video camera is a significant feature of the Streak Eagle that is apparent in almost all port side photos, but details are vague because the camera was black. I haven't seen any model with this feature either. However, I have seen pictures of a camera mount in some prototype Eagles suggesting this camera was not unique to the Streak Eagle. Therefore any picture of this type of camera (and supporting equipment) could be used to help figure out the Streak Eagle equipment. While we may never get things 100%, hopefully we can 'move the ball' forward for the benefit of everyone interested in doing a Streak Eagle. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 geedubelyr,............... possibly the main gear wheel color?,..... Ken Hi Ken, thanks for the kind words. I've rooted around and found a sketch I made back in 1987! That's when I first wanted to build Streak Eagle. The model I made was finished using Citadel Miniatures acrylics, brush painted. The paint range has a good selection of metallics which can be mixed easily together and also with the non-metallic colours, a trait I found very useful for the Boron composite panels. I love the variety of colours on the airframe and since the F-15 has long been my favourite aircraft it seemed fitting to model such an auspicious record breaking variant. I modelled several of the original prototype aircraft including #8, (10287)the spin recovery machine which had a unique dayglo and white paint scheme. As for the main gear colours, let me know which part you mean. I have scanned a picture from Bert Kinzeys' "In detail and scale, Vol14, 2nd edition" publication, (p34, centre pic) which seems to show a white wheel with black centre cap. I'll e-mail it to you if you wish. The same book has a pic on p9 which makes the wheel appear black and yet the uppermost photo on p8 has , what appears to be, white wheels again. Most puzzling....brake dust perhaps? Another publication, this time Modern Combat Aircraft #12 by Jeff Ethel has a lovely pic of 72-0119 on p68, entering a hangar on a cold, snowy day. In fact it was this precise picture that gave me the most inspiration. Again, if it's any use, I can e-mail you a scan if you don't already have it. Let me know if this is any help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Concerning the speedbrake question, anyone have pics of Streak Eagle in the museum? Granted she got painted and had a few other things changed, but if that speedbrake is still short, it would be visible. If the speedbrake was retrofitted to a longer one after the record flights, then it isn't going to fit in the well cleanly just like what was seen with some of the IAF F-15s that were converted from FSD aircraft to production spec and had retrofitted speedbrakes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Hi Ken, thanks for the kind words. I've rooted around and found a sketch I made back in 1987! That's when I first wanted to build Streak Eagle. The model I made was finished using Citadel Miniatures acrylics, brush painted. The paint range has a good selection of metallics which can be mixed easily together and also with the non-metallic colours, a trait I found very useful for the Boron composite panels.I love the variety of colours on the airframe and since the F-15 has long been my favourite aircraft it seemed fitting to model such an auspicious record breaking variant. I modelled several of the original prototype aircraft including #8, (10287)the spin recovery machine which had a unique dayglo and white paint scheme. As for the main gear colours, let me know which part you mean. I have scanned a picture from Bert Kinzeys' "In detail and scale, Vol14, 2nd edition" publication, (p34, centre pic) which seems to show a white wheel with black centre cap. I'll e-mail it to you if you wish. The same book has a pic on p9 which makes the wheel appear black and yet the uppermost photo on p8 has , what appears to be, white wheels again. Most puzzling....brake dust perhaps? Another publication, this time Modern Combat Aircraft #12 by Jeff Ethel has a lovely pic of 72-0119 on p68, entering a hangar on a cold, snowy day. In fact it was this precise picture that gave me the most inspiration. Again, if it's any use, I can e-mail you a scan if you don't already have it. Let me know if this is any help. geedubelyer, I have three references I have been working from for Streak Eagle info: - Aero Series 28, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle by James Perry Stevenson, copyright 1978 - AeroFax Minigraph 2, McDonnell Douglas F-15A/B by Rene' Francillon, copyright 1984 - Squadron/Signal #24, F-15 In Action by Drendel & Carson, copyright 1976 I have not been able to look at the Detail and Scale book (can't seem to win one at a reasonable price on e-bay) or the MCA #12 by Ethel. The three references above show early Eagles with all black wheels on the main and nose gear 99% of the time - sounds like you have built many of them - very cool! However these references do not show any photos of the Streak Eagle on the ground. There is another reference I have looked at but don't own (and can't remember the name of) that has Streak Eagle pictures on the ground during the record flights, but they are in black & white, and frankly I don't think I looked closely at the wheel color. One of the photos I got from Alclad is of the pre-record attempt configuration (tail patch, tails with electronics housings) on the ground and all three wheels are black (with a white hub on the mains). The forward nose and main gear doors are also closed. Your model is the first I've seen to suggest the Streak Eagle may have had white wheels at some point (is silver another possibility?), which is why I pointed it out (with a ? mark since I knew you might know something I don't). I would really like to see any pictures you have (can you share your paint diagram too?) because they can help make the conversion list more accurate. Does the different wheel color seem to correspond to the final modifications for the record runs? Speaking of pictures, I looked into posting the pictures I have from Alclad on Photobucket, and after reading their privacy statement, I'm concerned that I will start getting SPAM & pop-ups if I use their site. I'm wondering what others have experienced or if there is a better way to post photos (please respond in a PM so we don't get off-topic). In the meantime, anyone who wants a copy of the Alclad pictures (5 photos), send me a PM and I will e-mail them to you. Thanks again! Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ol Crew Dog Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Just to add a little blerp here, instead of Sabre dranes on the Engine bay panels I am pretty sure there was NACA scoops instead.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Concerning the speedbrake question, anyone have pics of Streak Eagle in the museum? Granted she got painted and had a few other things changed, but if that speedbrake is still short, it would be visible. If the speedbrake was retrofitted to a longer one after the record flights, then it isn't going to fit in the well cleanly just like what was seen with some of the IAF F-15s that were converted from FSD aircraft to production spec and had retrofitted speedbrakes. Jay, I have 3 photos of the Museum configuration that I downloaded from various sources I found with a Google search. Unfortunatley, there is no top view and no speed brake detail is visible in any of the side views. Good idea though, especially if someone may have their own pictures. Here is a link to the best of the side views of the museum aircraft: http://www.paulnann.com/Make.asp?Make=McDo...ef=pn_w0229.jpg You really can't see any speed brake detail. If you would like, I'll e-mail my photos from Alclad for you to look at...... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streak-eagle 10 Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Jay,I have 3 photos of the Museum configuration that I downloaded from various sources I found with a Google search. Unfortunatley, there is no top view and no speed brake detail is visible in any of the side views. Good idea though, especially if someone may have their own pictures. Here is a link to the best of the side views of the museum aircraft: http://www.paulnann.com/Make.asp?Make=McDo...ef=pn_w0229.jpg You really can't see any speed brake detail. If you would like, I'll e-mail my photos from Alclad for you to look at...... Ken Jay, I created a website and posted my pictures (see the link at the top of the post). Let me know your thoughts on the speedbrake............ Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 geedubelyer,.Your model is the first I've seen to suggest the Streak Eagle may have had white wheels at some point (is silver another possibility?), which is why I pointed it out (with a ? mark since I knew you might know something I don't). I would really like to see any pictures you have Thanks again! Ken Ken, P.M. sent. Jay, I created a website and posted my pictures (see the link at the top of the post). Superb pics Ken. I've saved them myself for any future incarnation of Streak Eagle I may build. (With pics like those on your site it might be possible to make one in 1/32!) Thanks for the link. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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