Ghostbase Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Way back in 1977 Revell released kit H-288 which was a 1/48th scale McDonnell-Douglas F-15A Eagle. It could be completed as the record breaking 'Streak Eagle' or a 58th TFTW 'Candy Cane' Eagle out of Luke AFB. I made this kit many years ago and in a fit of nostalgia bought one on eBay for literally pennies and instantly regretted doing so, it really isn't a particularly good kit. When Revell and Monogram merged the way superior former Monogram offering became the 'Revell' F-15A and this kit was quietly dropped from the catalogue. To be honest, I was going to bin it as not worth the effort however it was saved by... A couple of months ago I posted an 'FF' coded early F-15A in air superiority blue, this was the Monogram kit using the Caracal Models F-15 "The Early Years" decals. I really liked several of the other options on the decal sheet so I decided to go for F-15A 71-0283 which was the fourth Eagle built and conducted structural tests. In her later years she was painted overall gloss white with orange/red panels and I thought that this was worth a try on my old Revell kit. I decided to build her OOB, not to spend too much time on her, however this would be my first serious attempt at scribing panel lines. The result is as follows: 20201018_124745 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr I painted the white areas with Halfords Appliance White and was happy with the result. I have used this paint before and am comfortable with the technique that should be used. 20201018_124807 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr The orange paint was Vallejo 70.910 Orange Red applied with a Badger 200-9 gravity feed airbrush. I have had a nightmare year trying to apply acrylic paints using an airbrush, thanks to advice here and another forum I have got the hang of acrylics and this was my first successful application on a large model. 20201018_124825 by Ghostbase, on Flickr The fit of the kit wasn't good. I had to use filler on the nose cone join, the nose section to the main body, the wings to fuselage, and the air intakes. I did what I had to do so that the model would be presentable from a four foot distance! Such are my high standards... 20201018_124918 by Ghostbase, on Flickr Although it really does not show in these photos I am very pleased with the results of the scribing that I did on this raised panel line kit. I chose the F-15A Eagle because it has so many flat surfaces, I understand that it was nicknamed "The Tennis Court". I used an old dental tool to do the scribing and the old Revell plastic was soft enough to be able to scribe without any problems. My first scribe! 20201018_125030 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr The decals are a mixture. The 'F-15' logos and the serial number are from the Caracal Models F-15 "The Early Years" decals set. All the other decals are from the Monogram kit or the spares box. Caracal have covered the F-14, F-15, F-16 and F-18 aircraft so far in their innovative "The Early Years" decals sets and I hope for more aircraft that I remember from my teen years in the early 70's. 20201018_125406 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr My final photo is this build with the Monogram F-15A that I completed a short while back using the same decal set. IMGP3988 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr For some reason I am very happy with this build. The original kit isn't great to say the least, however with decent paints and excellent decals plus my scribing it earns a place in the display cabinet. I have a couple more old Monogram Eagles so maybe more to come? Michael IMGP3982 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 33 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I like it! Overall, I think you did a nice job on the paint work. Neither white or orange are easy to paint and get a good finish with, so you have something to be proud of. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Great! Yes, more big Eagles please! The re-scribing unfortunately can't be seen, either a good( you did it very well!) Or bad thing ... You could weather it a bit with some grey oils to highlight the panels just a bit... .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 39 minutes ago, exdraken said: Great! Yes, more big Eagles please! The re-scribing unfortunately can't be seen, either a good( you did it very well!) Or bad thing ... You could weather it a bit with some grey oils to highlight the panels just a bit... .. Thanks, good point! I will try some grey oils to bring the panels out a bit more 👍 Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matti64 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Really nice nostalgia build. Old kits are often really challenging to build neatly and you really pulled it off , especially in a scheme like that which really demands neat and tidy workmanship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 15 hours ago, Ghostbase said: For some reason I am very happy with this build. I think you should be - it looks great! 👍 Looking at it you wouldn't be able to tell it's the old Revell clunker, you've done a top job on it! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastikschrottler Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 (edited) Great result from that kit. Thanks for sharing your memories. Actually I have memories for that kit too: My sister and I went to the local hobby shop with our dad in the late 70s or early 80s. My sister got that kit, which she did in the Candy Cane scheme. I still think I came out better though: I got the Esci F-16A course I instantly loved the shape of it. Still remember my dad saying that it is science fiction 😁. Did it up in Belgian markings in the SEA scheme, as they had their 104s. Good days... Edited October 20, 2020 by Plastikschrottler Update 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaracalModels Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Looks great - I really like the early scheme you chose. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 The only F-15 I ever built was this kit. You did way better than I ever did on it. 👍🏻 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsbrown Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Very nice! I still love the old Revell and Monogram kits. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Excellent Eagle, thanks for sharing. I've got that model, in my loft - 58th TFTW 'Candy Cane', built when it first came out. As I remember Air Superiority Blue, and my first go with an airbrush. Happy Days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Old but beautiful! Rarely seen version of this mighty bird. Thanks for sharing Best regards Djordje 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Superb build,love the scheme very different to the usual Eagle colours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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