F-15E Strike Eagle from the new GWH F-15I 'Ra'am' kit ?

[Tiger331]

Calling all F-15 Eagle experts !.

Can anyone confirm if I can produce a USAF F-15E Strike Eagle from the new Great Wall Hobby F-15I 'Ra'am' kit that has just been released ?. I have the kit and note that it includes two types of upper fuselage fairing (one to cater for the GPS dome fitted to the F-15I and the other that looks like a 'standard' fairing), conformal fuel tank cells, fuselage stores pylons etc, so it looks as if it may be suitable but I just wondered if anyone actually has any evidence based on previous research ?.

Thanks

Mark

[Boman]

Looking at the sprue charts here; http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10355390 I would say yes. Actually have the same plan myself

Ironic actually, as the IAF never used the AN/ANQ-14 but rather the AN/ANQ-28 Litening

[Sid de Koning]

I'll bet they will release a Mudhen soon..

[Tiger331]

I have now done a thorough examination of the GWH F-15I 'Ra'am' kit and believe it can be used as the basis for a F-15E Strike Eagle. Many of the parts from the original F-15B/D Eagle issue are included in the box so where 'backdating' is required (not much) the parts are there. The lower fuselage part has a moulded in fairing which I do not believe is present on the F-15E so I guess that will have to be removed and there are obviously parts specific to the F-15I that will not be required, such as the 'turkey feather' exhausts and the GPS fairing on the upper spine. I'm not so concerned about the weapons fit, since I will probably rob from another kit or upgrade to Eduard Brassin stores. In actual fact this first F-15I kit is going to be used as the basis for a F-15DJ JASDF Aggressor !, but I did need to satisfy myself about the purchase of a couple more to complete my USAFE F-15E projects.

[iaf-man]

Looking at the sprue charts here; http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10355390 I would say yes. Actually have the same plan myself

Ironic actually, as the IAF never used the AN/ANQ-14 but rather the AN/ANQ-28 Litening

That is not correct,all of the F-15I use the LANTIRN.Didn't see any Litening

on them

Look at my walkaround here:

http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/isaac_gershman/f-15i/index.php?Page=6

Isaac

Edited March 18, 2016 by iaf-man

[Gary West]

I havent seen the GWH F-15 but if its accurate you will also need to make changes to the Horizonal stabs - the E model has raised seams (sorry not sure if these are strengthening plates etc) where the kit has recessed panel lines.

[Boman]

That is not correct,all of the F-15I use the LANTIRN.Didn't see any Litening

on them

Look at my walkaround here:

http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/isaac_gershman/f-15i/index.php?Page=6

Isaac

Maybe initially, but the Litening pod is an Israeli product from the outset, so strange if IAF/DF don't use their own product.

Atleast nowadays they use the Litening as this is far superior to the Lantirn.

[iaf-man]

I havent seen the GWH F-15 but if its accurate you will also need to make changes to the Horizonal stabs - the E model has raised seams (sorry not sure if these are strengthening plates etc) where the kit has recessed panel lines.

You are right,I didn't pay attention untill now

These look like reinforcing stripes

http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/isaac_gershman/f-15i/images/f-15i_081_of_114.jpg

Isaac

[iaf-man]

Maybe initially, but the Litening pod is an Israeli product from the outset, so strange if IAF/DF don't use their own product.

Atleast nowadays they use the Litening as this is far superior to the Lantirn.

I was at several shows as well as seen the planes at the squadron-no Litening

It's used mostly by F-16D Barak and F-16I Sufa

[madcat911]

A little late to this party but here's my two cents worth.

The kit has all the parts required to build either a late F-15E or F-15I except for the RWR sensors on the tail boom. The kit only has the chiseled type found on the F-15I but the domed type for the F-15E is not included. However, it should not be too hard to scratch-build these parts.

It has the beefier landing gear legs and larger wheels appropriate for the Strike Eagle and also includes the bulged gear doors. Arresting hook is of the correct semi-recessed type found on the Strike Eagle as opposed to the flushed type found on the A/B/C/D. The gun clip fairing is also present and correct for a Strike.

The kit provides an option for the forward stub pylons on the CFTs. They are the early ones with the long fairing and late ones with the short fairing. It does not have the extended pylons as found on the K/SG/SA though. Also included are the scoops for aircraft equipped with later versions of the PW F100 and GE F110 engines.

For the stores, the kit gives the following:

2 x Python-4

2 x AIM-120B AMRAAM

4 X GBU-12 Paveway II

3 x GBU-38 JDAM

1 x GBU-31 JDAM (Mk 84 warhead)(Tail section seems a little too bulbous though)

1 x AGM-130

1 x AGM-142 Popeye

1 x AN/AXQ-14 Data Link Pod

1 x AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Nav Pod

1 x AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Targeting Pod

2 x 600 gal tanks

The kit also provides 4 LAU-128 rails with their ADU-552 adapters but has no LAU-114 so a ODS or earlier bird cannot be built OOB. The paint guide also has an Elta-8222 pod listed but I cannot seem to find it on the sprues.

Decals included are rather extensive and even include panel numbers found on IAF jets.

Mark

[Tiger331]

Thanks for the gen folks…..very helpful