The base kit is a 1/48 scale, Hasegawa F15E Strike Eagle. Although the kit is suppose to be a F-15E, the instrument panel
provided is that of a F-15D. This provided more reason to finish the model as a “D” version. The model shown is build
straight out of the box with the addition of a pair of Verlinden Aces II seats. The kit went together well. Cockpit details
are good. The kit came with photo edge parts for the canopy rail, handle, and the control rods on the dilating exhaust
nozzles. The only complaint with this kit, other than a “D” version instrument panel in an “E” kit, is the wing is not
molded in one piece.
An issue of a 1991 Koku-Fan featured the Japanese airforce’s tactical fighter training group Hiko Kyodotai, based on Kyushu.
This tactical aggressor training squadron have their Mitsubishi produced F-15DJ painting in several colorful and distinctive
paint scheme. All wore the cobra tail markings on both inside and outside surfaces of a rudder fin. The colorful paint
schemes and the unique squadron marking of this JASDF F-15DJ makes for a good alternative to the boring one tone grey of the
USAF F-15E.
When this model was completed in 1994, decals for Japanese F-15s were not available in Canada. Hence, the decals for the
Hinomaru and the squadron cobra markings were hand painted homemade decals. It was my first attempt at making decals, and I
did it the hard way. Gunze acrylic paint was used to finish the model. The paint scheme is a three-tone camouflage
consisting of the Japanese airforce green over the USAF F-15C two tone grey. The bare metal finish was Testor Metalizers,
painted using several tones to simulate the heated titanium.
No, those grey spots on the nose cone are not overspray! They are paint touch ups on the actual aircraft as seen on the
Koku-Fan photos. Anyone wishing to do a model from this squadron can now order a decal sheet from Hasegawa, complete with
the cobra
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