GWH F-15C (L4817) for Desert Storm?

[Phil not the one already used]

Is this kit suitable out of the box for a Desert Storm F-15C?  Or is there a definitive list of changes needed to make it so?

 

I'm interested in doing an F-15 in the USAF and in doing one in Saudi service, fwiw.

 

Thanks,

Phil

 

[strikeeagle801]

The AIM-120 was just coming into service during Desert Storm, and all F-15 kills during the war were made with AIM-7M Sparrows, so right off the bat you are going to need the older LAU-114 Sidewinder-only launch rails for the wing shoulder pylons, as the kit comes with LAU-128's. Some F-15C's carried LAU-128's during DS I believe (I know Strike Eagles did not) but I think it was rare. Also, since the kit comes with AIM-120's and AIM-9X's, you'll need to source AIM-7M's and AIM-9M's from somewhere as well. Mike Reeves at Phase Hanger Resin does several update sets for this kit (corrected radome, flaps and ailerons, horizontal stabs, etc) depending on how crazy you want to go. He also does weapons pylons with LAU-114 rails and seamless drop tanks too. He carries Flight Line Resin on his website, which makes 3D-Printed AIM-7's and AIM-9's.

 

Other than those changes, I think you are there OOB. someone (I am sure) will correct me if I am wrong. 

 

Aaron

[Niels]

You're correct, Aaron @strikeeagle801 - the kit can be buildt as an F-15C from Dessert Storm. One correction though: The LAU-128's where only carried right at the end of hostilites, but never fired any AIM-120A's. So as you say Aaron, just about all the F-15's flew with AIM-9M's and AIM-7M's. 
The LAU-114 rails should be on sprue "O": F-15J JASDF 2013 - Special Edition Lion Roar -SNG03 I'll be home tomorrow and will check my kit whether the sprues included them or not, as I can't remember and the instructions and sprue shots provided below indicate they aren't. 

 

Here's the instructions: 
Scan.pdf

and an overview of the kit: 
F-15C MSIP II United States Air National Guard model do sklejania Lion Roar -L4817

[LDM]

I just checked my kit and sprue O did contain the LAU-114s.  Maybe earlier releases of the kit didn't have them but later releases used updated molds?

 

 

 

[Niels]

Thanks for confirming (Y) @LDM
I'll still check mine when home tomorrow, but as they are there you atleast wouldn't have to buy aftermarket @Phil not the one already used

[kurnass77]

20 hours ago, strikeeagle801 said:

The AIM-120 was just coming into service during Desert Storm, and all F-15 kills during the war were made with AIM-7M Sparrows,

Well Sir, there were also 3 or 4 Aim-9M kills by USAF Eagles and thr 2 famous kills by a Saudi Eagle 🙂

But this don't change nothing about the post 🙂

[Phil not the one already used]

Thanks everyone!  Thanks very much!

 

Now I just need to find some desert storm decals....

 

[strikeeagle801]

44 minutes ago, kurnass77 said:

Well Sir, there were also 3 or 4 Aim-9M kills by USAF Eagles and thr 2 famous kills by a Saudi Eagle 🙂

But this don't change nothing about the post 🙂

Oops. Thank you for clarifying that. But yes, my main point was that AIM-7's and AIM-9M's were mostly carried, vs the AIM-120's (and obviously AIM-9X's) included in the kit.

 

Aaron

[Sysxii]

Bullseye Model Aviation "Desert Storm Eagles - When Eagles fly, MiGs die" sheet offers a decent number of USAF options and information behind each one. I also highly recommend the book Skybreak by Mike Guardia written within the past couple of years about F-15Cs in Desert Storm and the pilots who flew them. Some of the pilots mentioned in that book have their aircraft on the decal sheet as well.

 

If you want another option for four AIM-9Ms and AIM-7s, see if you can pick up the US ordinance set by AMK. They're all one piece molded styrene parts and have great detail. 

 

Lastly, check out dstorm.eu for probably the best collection of Desert Storm aviation photos.

[Niels]

3 hours ago, Phil not the one already used said:

Thanks everyone!  Thanks very much!

 

Now I just need to find some desert storm decals....

 

BMA48008 1:48 Bullseye Model Aviation Decals - F-15C Eagle 'Desert Storm Eagles - When Eagles Fly, MiGs Die' - Sprue Brothers Models LLC

[Phil not the one already used]

Thanks.  I added myself to the waiting list.  I don't know how often Bullseye reprints their decals....

 

[strikeeagle801]

3 hours ago, Sysxii said:

 

 

If you want another option for four AIM-9Ms and AIM-7s, see if you can pick up the US ordinance set by AMK. They're all one piece molded styrene parts and have great detail. 

 

 

If you want to go this route (they are very well-detailed, and come with the appropriate Stencil decals as well) let me know. I have a couple of the AMK Ordnace Sets and would be able to help you out with the AIM-7's and AIM-9's from them. 

 

Aaron

[Benner]

I don’t have the GWH kit but I’ve done some research for the years of building DS models.

 

Just looking at the GWH instructions, one of the differences is The Saudi eagles have the smaller diameter antennae on both of the fins, unlike the USAF jets at the time.  The exception would be the F-15Cs transferred from USAFE inventory to the RSAF. I assume the kit has the older antennas along the fuselage?

[Phil not the one already used]

23 hours ago, strikeeagle801 said:

If you want to go this route (they are very well-detailed, and come with the appropriate Stencil decals as well) let me know. I have a couple of the AMK Ordnace Sets and would be able to help you out with the AIM-7's and AIM-9's from them. 

 

Aaron

 

Thanks for the offer, Aaron!  I checked that set on scalemates and that's a really nice looking set.  And sounds like you assess them as having high quality?

[strikeeagle801]

3 hours ago, Phil not the one already used said:

 

Thanks for the offer, Aaron!  I checked that set on scalemates and that's a really nice looking set.  And sounds like you assess them as having high quality?

Yes, the set is very nice. As you probably saw, the set is meant to compliment their F-14D release, with all of the weapons and pods being used on the Tomcat at one time or another. All parts have been molded using the absolute minimum amount of parts to maintain detail...for instance, the AIM-9's are molded in one solid piece, whereas the AIM-7's are in three...you get your choice of two different nose cones and the exhaust section is a separate part. You have some mold seams and a few ejector pin markings to clean up, but that's about it. As far as plastic goes, I'd say they are probably among the better ones out there.

 

Aaron

Edited December 31, 2024 by strikeeagle801

[BillS]

I’d also double check antennas since those things have changed around over the years. Seems to me the old TEWS are on the model along with different UHF blade types. Details in Bay 5 might be worth researching if you’re totally anal. Get a better seat too.

[Stephen]

There's a Desert Storm option on this excellent PK Productions sheet

 

https://www.pkproductions.de/shop/decals/48-002-eagle-country-bitburg-spangdahlem-1-48/

 

Also this one from TwoBobs Decals

 

https://www.twobobs.net/contents/en-us/p709.html 

 

 

[Phil not the one already used]

Thanks!