Scale 1/72
Manufacturer Caracal Models
Decal Sheet ID CD72087
Decal Sheet Title F-15 "The Early Years"
Types Featured F-15A, F-15B

Caracal Models provide marking for eight early F-15A’s and B’s on sheet CD72087. The airframes are:

  • F-15A 71-0280 – first F-15 prototype. Overall Air Superiority Blue (FS35450) with Daygo (FS18915) patches on the intakes, fin and wings. F-15 logos were carried on the nose and fin;
  • F-15A 71-0283. Overall Gloss White (FS17875) with Daygo (FS18915) patches on the upper fuselage, fin and wings. F-15 logos were carried on the nose and fin;
  • F-15A 71-0285. Overall Gloss White (FS17875) with Insignia Blue (FS15044) patches on the upper fuselage, fin and wings. F-15 logos were carried on the nose and fin;
  • F-15A 72-0119 “Streak Eagle”. Unpainted and in various shades of natural metal, with “STREAK EAGLE” load in red/white/blue on the nose;
  • F-15A 71-0284 “FF” used for maintenance training. Overall Air Superiority Blue (FS35450) with white “FF” tailcodes and “AF71 284” serial numbers. It carried a yellow/red/blue striped fin band and TAC badge, together with “City of Iowa Park” artwork on the nose;
  • F-15A 73-0103 “LA” from the 58th TFTW. Overall Air Superiority Blue (FS35450) with white “LA” tailcodes and “AF73 103” serial numbers. It carried a dark blue band with five white stars on the fin, together with a TAC badge;
  • F-15B 73-0111 “LA” from the 58th TFTW. Overall Air Superiority Blue (FS35450) with white “LA” tailcodes and “AF73 111” serial numbers. It carried a dark blue band with five white stars on the fin, together with and a TAC badge. The rudder carried a set of different coloured bands representing all of the Squadrons in the Wing (from top to bottom - blue / yellow / red / medium blue / black and yellow chequers / green / orange / black);
  • F-15B 73-0112 “LA” from the 58th TFTW. Overall Air Superiority Blue (FS35450) with white “LA” tailcodes and “AF73 1” and black “12th” serial numbers. It carried a dark blue band with five white stars on the fin, together with a TAC badge.

For option 1, both left and right side views are provided, whilst for the other seven only a right side view is provided. Separate upper and lower views are provided for options 1 and 3. The latter 3 were all from the 55th TFS which normally carried a green fin band with white stars - photos from the time are unclear as to exactly what colour the band was.

The decals are printed by Cartograf in perfect register.

Review and images by Chris St Clair

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