Kits, Pictures & Text by Peter Mojzisek
McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Eagle

F-15C_001.JPG (24kB)

Reissued in 1987 by Monogram with the new number 5823, this model is only an update of their older F-15A kit. Nevertheless, it can be built into a nice replica with only little problems while building. I needed some filler, but otherwise it is a good and complete kit. Maybe it is only second best to the Tamiya or Hasegawa F-15, but I got mine for less than $10, while the Tamygawas are in a $50+ range. And there are serious modelers claiming this Monogram F-15 is more accurate than the Tamygawas. Could be ...
The decals with the original kit were a little meager, to say at least. So I decided to go for SuperScale 48-414 and 48-523 (Gulf War, Data Sheet). These decals enhance the appearance by a big margin.

Except these decals, I built this kit straight out of the box, with no additional Resin, PE or kitbashing.

 F-15C_002.JPG (14kB)
F-15C_003.JPG (21kB)

Gulf Spirit

This particular aircraft (F-15C-39-MC, Serial 85-0102) was the personal mount of the 33rd TFW Wing Commander, Col. Rick N. Parsons. Regularly based at Englin AFB, Florida, they were detached to King Faisal AB, Tabuk in Saudi Arabia during Operation "Dessert Storm".

On February 7, 1991 Col. Parsons scored one (probably two) air-kills against Su-20/22. The third kill-mark on this aircraft goes to Capt. David G. Rose for his MiG-23 kill on January 29, 1991.
F-15C_004.JPG (16kB) Typically for Monogram, the cockpit is good. Some careful painting and drybrushing, and you will get a nice cockpit.

The afterburner section has been painted with Model Master Metalizers, in several shaded and slightly tinted.

 F-15C_005.JPG (12kB)
I used XtraColor paints for this kit, but I came in big trouble. These colors are not compatible with Model Master Metalizers! When the Metalizers came in contact with the painted and dried XtraColors, these chipped and flaked. I had to wait until this mess became dry, then have to sand it down.

The solution? Before airbrushing the Metalizers, I sealed first the XtraColors with the Metalizer-Sealer. Simple, isn't it?

 F-15C_006.JPG (21kB)
F-15C_007.JPG (22kB) I decided against heavy weathering, because I think that at least a Wing Commander's machine will be kept in clean condition. So I only washed the few recessed panel-lines with black, gray and brown und acryl paints. Most of the panel-lines are raised anyway, so this technique cannot be used throughout the whole kit.

The tinted Metalizers are bringing a good touch of realism to the entire engine section of the aircraft. Instead of tinting the Metalizers, you can also try to do this with the sealer only or with any neutral varnish.

- Back to "My Gallery" -