Jump to content

Great Wall 1/48 F-15B/D as an "Early" F-15B


Recommended Posts

Hey all - 

 

I'm looking to potentially build one of those early "Air Superiority Blue" F-15Bs from the Caracal sheet. 

 

22885497610_39d5618f7e_b.jpg

 

Anyone know if I can achieve that with the Great Wall F-15B/D? Obviously some modification will be needed... trying to gauge how extensive. 

Shorter speedbrake, different seats, different wheels I'd assume to start? 

 

Thanks! 

-Anthony 

Link to post
Share on other sites

You pretty well nailed it. Check antennas as well. If I recall, there were some minute airframe details that were different but personally I wouldn't get my drawers in a knot over it. The seats in that jet looks like ACES. Weird.

Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, aircommando130 said:

73-111 had a regular speedbrake with a stiffener on it. A model wheels were 

the black ones and if I remember ACES II seats after block 11?? Might have been

later blocks but those air superiority blue Eagles were cool looking! 

 

Cheers...Ron


So I don’t even need to shorten the speedbrake for this one? Score! 
 

ACES II seats as the gentleman mentioned above. 
 

A model wheels - in black. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Cool subject!

 

Some features pertaining to 73-0111 in its air superiority blue days...

 

Escapac IC-7 seats. These were installed on USAF Eagles at least through Block 17…Aces II retrofit in early to mid 1980s.

 

As already mentioned, metal speed brake with external stiffener plate. Inside structure (see picture below) differed considerably from later composites speed brake.

 

Turkey feathered exhausts (like the F-16) until 1980/81.

 

Dummy (?) antenna pods atop vertical stabilizers: rear section truncated on LH side, pinched on RH side. RH side was also larger in diameter compared to later ballast spikes.

 

“Bumps” on lower engine sections where they enter notches in fuselage structure.

 

Fully enclosed barrier arresting hook.

 

No strakes on fuselage above rear AIM-7 missile stations.

 

Officially designated TF-15A until 1978.

 

Others here will no doubt chime in with more details.

 

5SaoHdf.jpg
 

uNSUo0l.jpg
 

hZ9Rpx5.jpg
 

VTxVsM3.jpg
 

qlhHGju.jpg


...edited with additional info

 

Edited by RichB63
Link to post
Share on other sites
2 hours ago, AnthonyWan said:


So I don’t even need to shorten the speedbrake for this one? Score! 
 

ACES II seats as the gentleman mentioned above. 
 

A model wheels - in black. 


Correct on the overall dimensions of speed brake, but definitely Escapac seats for 73-0111, at least during its “powder blue" days (mid to late 1970s).

 

OSxe2jv.jpg
 

 

 

Edited by RichB63
Link to post
Share on other sites

Appreciate the feedback Rich, Ron, Bill. 

Need to check around who does IC-7 Escapac seats... I see a bunch of Skyhawk IC-3/, S-3 IE-1, and A-7K IG-2 seats but none for the TF-15A. Would one of those work for an "almost" option? 
The only IC-7 I see is in 1/32. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
43 minutes ago, AnthonyWan said:

Appreciate the feedback Rich, Ron, Bill. 

Need to check around who does IC-7 Escapac seats... I see a bunch of Skyhawk IC-3/, S-3 IE-1, and A-7K IG-2 seats but none for the TF-15A. Would one of those work for an "almost" option? 
The only IC-7 I see is in 1/32. 


A close relative is the Escapac IG-2 seat used in the A-7 Corsair II. I like the Aires offering (set #4442). The seat is crisply molded with sharp detail and the head box profile looks good. Install a blanking plate over the recess for the upper D-Ring handle and you’re in business. The shape of the lower side pan (next to the pilots knees) is different, but this area would be much less noticeable on the finished model.

 

Ljmr9hM.jpg
 

AZf10T2.jpg

Edited by RichB63
Link to post
Share on other sites
40 minutes ago, RichB63 said:


A close relative is the Escapac IG-2 seat used in the A-7 Corsair II. I like the Aires offering (set #4442). The seat is crisply molded with sharp detail and the head box profile looks good. Install a blanking plate over the recess for the upper D-Ring handle and you’re in business. The shape of the lower side pan (next to the pilots knees) is different, but this area would be much less noticeable on the finished model.

 

Ljmr9hM.jpg
 

AZf10T2.jpg

Perfect. 
Thank you sir! 

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 5 weeks later...
On 3/17/2023 at 4:33 AM, RichB63 said:

Cool subject!

 

Some features pertaining to 73-0111 in its air superiority blue days...

 

Escapac IC-7 seats. These were installed on USAF Eagles at least through Block 17…Aces II retrofit in early to mid 1980s.

 

As already mentioned, metal speed brake with external stiffener plate. Inside structure (see picture below) differed considerably from later composites speed brake.

 

Turkey feathered exhausts (like the F-16) until 1980/81.

 

Dummy (?) antenna pods atop vertical stabilizers: rear section truncated on LH side, pinched on RH side. RH side was also larger in diameter compared to later ballast spikes.

 

“Bumps” on lower engine sections where they enter notches in fuselage structure.

 

Fully enclosed barrier arresting hook.

 

No strakes on fuselage above rear AIM-7 missile stations.

 

Officially designated TF-15A until 1978.

 

Others here will no doubt chime in with more details.

 

5SaoHdf.jpg
 

uNSUo0l.jpg
 

hZ9Rpx5.jpg
 

VTxVsM3.jpg
 

qlhHGju.jpg


...edited with additional info

 

Is that Gerald Ford in the top picture?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...