Trigger Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 January 16th marked the 41st anniversary of the Streak Eagle. The 19th pre-production McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle aircraft (S/N 72-0119) time-to-climb records during Operation Streak Eagle. (Aquila Maxima), smashing "time to climb" records who's top three positions were held by the Soviet MiG 25 Foxbat. The Strike Eagle was held in place at the end of the runway while hooked up to a hold-back bar, as the pilot applied full afterburner, the explosive bolt detonated, freeing the Eagle to accelerate down the active. Rotating away after only 400 feet of runway, the Streak Eagle pulled into a 80 degree climb while accelerating through the speed of sound, with her low fuel, and minimal equipment, sporting a thrust to weight ratio of nearly 2:1. At altitudes, the Streak Eagle even beat the climb rate of the Apollo Saturn V Rocket! In setting the last of the eight records, it reached an altitude of 98,425 feet just 3 minutes, 27.8 seconds after reaching Mach 2.2 at a climb angle of 55 degrees after brake release at takeoff and "coasted" to nearly 103,000 feet before descending. At this altitude, the Streak Eagle's engines flamed out, but were restarted during the descent phase. The Streak Eagle broke eight time-to-climb world records between Jan. 16 and Feb. 1, 1975. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 What is the white thing under the canopy behind the pilot - an antenna? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Yes, it's a telemetry antenna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 smashing "time to climb" records who's top three positions were held by the Soviet MiG 25 Foxbat. You forgot to mention that the Streak Eagles records were subsequently 'smashed' by the Sukhoi P-42 Flanker.... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Whatever happened to the Streakeagle? Did it go operational ( it was a preproduction bird ), or did it end up on a pole somewhere ? Afoxbat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 You forgot to mention that the Streak Eagles records were subsequently 'smashed' by the Sukhoi P-42 Flanker.... And I look forward to reading that thread upon the anniversary of those flights. Whatever happened to the Streakeagle? Did it go operational ( it was a preproduction bird ), or did it end up on a pole somewhere ? Unfortunately, to protect it from corrosion, McDonnell Douglas Corp. has since painted it in the gray color scheme of most operational F-15s. Differences in internal structure and systems operation made it too costly to return to operational service and it was delivered to the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio in December 1980 after it was no longer useful as a flight test vehicle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 You forgot to mention that the Streak Eagles records were subsequently 'smashed' by the Sukhoi P-42 Flanker.... Ken All puttied up......darn trumpy rivets :P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Thanks Trigger, I kinda figured that since it was a preproduction bird and had been modified for that mission. Saw a C-17 at Wright-Pat that looks brand new. But was told it was the the test article and it would've been cost prohibitive to modify it up to the operational fleet standards. So off to the museum it goes. It's too bad cause the the damn this is essentially brand new! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SinisterVampire319 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Just saw an article about it somewhere else, and it is inside one of their restoration hangers. Whether they strip the paint and bring it back to original Streak Eagle is unknown at this time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 I sincerely hope that they restore it to Streak Eagle colors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) Just saw an article about it somewhere else, and it is inside one of their restoration hangers. According to their website it is in the Cold War Gallery, which is where I last saw it four years ago. McDD painted it before giving it to the museum, I don't foresee them stripping it back to its original naked glory. They are much too busy with the new expansion. edit: oh, and the telemetry antenna is not on the jet now either. I suspect it was removed long before the museum got it. Edited January 18, 2016 by habu2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 It got painted because it sat outside for years and years. The NMUSAF has had a lot of airplanes rot because of being left outside. The Airborne Laser Lab NKC-135 is going to be scrapped because of corrosion and mold, and there are significant parts of the XB-70 that are falling apart as a result of sitting out in the weather for so long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 True, but in the case of the Streak Eagle, it was painted before NMUSAF got it. I remember seeing it, painted, in front of the museum back the mid 80s when I first visited the museum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks Trigger for posting this. The "Streak Eagle" was always on my "want to build" list but my skills are just never going to be able to do that cool scheme justice. It sure would be nice if she was restored to her former glory. Never say never but its unlikely anytime soon. Good stuff ! Don. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echolmberg Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I was always curious about the colors on the Streak Eagle. Were those gold tones painted? Some sort of anti-corrosion coating? Thanks, Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I beleive that is the natural metal colours - I took some snaps of the F-15 at Duxford last year when it was stripped of paint and it looked the same as the Streak Eagle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Here's a link to the pics I took. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973398-refurb-of-duxford-f-15a-76-020/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dylan Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) I was always curious about the colors on the Streak Eagle. Were those gold tones painted? Some sort of anti-corrosion coating? Thanks, Eric it is an anti corrosion coating called Alodine. the aluminum part is usually dipped in a bath of the stuff. depending on how long it sits in the bath will give slightly different tones to the coating. LINK Edited January 18, 2016 by dylan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fellow Hobbyist Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Love how the bare aluminum of the Eagle undergoing restoration so much variation in luster and platina. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phasephantomphixer Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Well, if they get the time, strip it and clear coat it with markings. Then mount a copy of the Antenna. They should do the same program with a completely gutted Raptor... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Ooh, just found this. Very nice! I will use the info. Thanks. R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RCNFAN Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Anyone know which kit would be the best in 1/48th to make a Streak Eagle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 27 minutes ago, RCNFAN said: Anyone know which kit would be the best in 1/48th to make a Streak Eagle. Hasegawa makes a Streak Eagle kit in 1/48. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RCNFAN Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 I Did not know that, just looked it up on Scalemates and yes they did back in 2002. I've never seen one but would like to pick one up for the stash as this is an interesting subject. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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