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Spiros Pendedekas
156 articles

CC Lee 1/144 F-15C Eagle

March 2, 2024 · in Aviation · · 30 · 176

In the mid-60s, while the TFX (F-111) project was running full steam ahead in order to provide both the USAF and the USN their future medium/long range tactical aircraft, the Air Force considered a new shorter range tactical fighter to replace several existing types.

Though the A-4, A-7 and F-5 could partially fill to various degrees the latter requirement, it was felt that a new, more capable platform had to be developed. The submitted designs that followed USAF's official requirements document for what was described as an “air superiority” fighter, more or less headed towards a plane that approached the F-111 in size and weight.

By that time, the new doctrine that emerged after early Vietnam War results analysis, favored maneuverability over absolute speed, dictating good performance within visual engagement rules, an area where contemporary U.S. planes were not so good at.

This new doctrine, which was highly influenced by Col. Boyd's 1964 Energy–Maneuverability Theory, practically asked for lower wing stressing (meaning larger wings) and higher thrust to weight ratio, to the region of 1:1. The ability for high speed interception (up to Mach 2.5) was also added to the basic requirements the new air superiority fighter had to fulfill, after the USSR revealed the very fast MiG-25 in 1967.
The subsequent request for proposals issued in September 1968, called for a twin engine, single-seat fighter with a maximum take-off weight of 40,000 pounds for the air-to-air role, a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1:1 at mission weight. Of the three companies that were awarded contracts for technical proposals, the Air Force announced the selection of McDonnell Douglas on 23 December 1969 to build the F-15 Eagle, which resembled the F-14, but with fixed wings. The rest is history.
This is the 1/144 CC Lee F-15C, a direct copy of the 1974 Otaki mold. By all means an elderly, simplistic kit with acceptable general shape but with detail at key areas varying from toy-ish (landing gear) to nonexistent (cockpit). The decals disintegrated by just looking at them, so I resorted to purely fictitous markings using spare decals from my dungeon.
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/mod/us/usaf/fighter/pen15.htm

Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

30 responses

  1. Absolutely stunning result on this little Eagle, Spiros @fiveten
    Very nice to see her displayed in airborne condition.
    Thanks for the informative article, well done.

  2. What a pretty little model! Definitely one to build in a weekend but your skills have made it look something special.

  3. Nice work in this scale, Spiros, reading your description of the undercarriage I can see why you made it an in-flight display.

  4. So small so cute 🙂

  5. An interesting model of an early F-15; I think it's nice to show the elegantly powerful lines without any payload; it comes across all the better this way. Great performance in 1:144 and with an already aged model!

  6. Well done and very interesting - nice and clean looking without all the junk hanging on it!

  7. Sleek little beastie, Spiros! 🤩 @fiveten, you make them all look great, Spiros, no matter what scale they're in; you, good sir, are one kick-*ss modeler! 😁

  8. Nice little Eagle, Spiros @fiveten. Are you working on another Greif judging by the ref book poking out to the left in one of your photos?

  9. Nice work, Spiros. @fiveten

  10. Think you got the best out of this little, ancient, and rather simplistic kit.
    Looking very elegantly without the usual payload and gear up. Nice piece of work!

  11. Nice work on a tiny scale!

  12. I admire Spiros that you can put together such a small model. Small, cute, handsome.

  13. Impressive work in this tiny scale, Spiros!

  14. This is awesome! Beautiful craftsmanship!

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