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What's the best F-15 kit in 1/48th?

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  • Member since
    September 2013
What's the best F-15 kit in 1/48th?
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, October 27, 2013 3:57 PM

I am thinking of building a 1/48 scale F-15, I am unsure of the variant to choose or manufacturer. I usually build soviet aircraft but I really like the F-15. Anybody who has any experience with this aircraft in this scale please let me know what you think!

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:07 PM

You didn't specify which F-15.  -C?  -E?

Generally the Hasegawa F-15As, -Cs and -Ds are considered the best -A, -C and -D models.  The Revell F-15E is considered the best -E model.  Plus, there is quite a bit of AM stuff for these kits.

The Tamiya F-15C is very good as far as shape goes but it does not have full length intakes and the radome is a slightly smaller diameter than where it mates to the fuselage.

The old Monogram F-15As and -Cs have the most accurate overall shape but they lack the intake trunks and have raised panel lines.

The Hasegawa F-15E is basically a -D model with some -E parts added to it.  Same with the Academy F-15E.  Its a -D with -E parts.  Both are descent kits but they have obvious accuracy issues.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:20 PM

Ah right, so I forgot to mention that I will go for any variant of the F-15C/D/E/J/I/K just whichever is the best kit, as to me they all look very similar and I know sometimes the kits can be a bit off, I had made the Italeri F-15 but the canopy was wrong and spoilt the look, I also had the Academy F-15E but it was years ago, so I was wondering what the opinion was as to what would be the best representation of this aircraft to build in any variant.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:32 PM

For the price, the Revell E is probably the best out there, and also the most accurate.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:33 PM

I admit my knowledge of the subject is somewhat out of date, but have posted so I may check responses as I may want to build one in this scale as well.

BTW................might be good to offer some hot  lasagne to the one who provides the best answer.Whistling

Tags: Garfield
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:38 PM

Dang it!

Now I'm hungry for lasagne............

Tags: Garfield
  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:38 PM

I had heard good thngs about the Revell F-15E Stickpusher, just does not seem to be readily available for some reason, lol and yeah Lasagne for the best answer!

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:48 PM

I'm currently building a Revell F-15E and I have a Hasegawa F-15C in the stash.  

So far the fit of the Revell kit is very good.  The parts that give the most trouble are the CFTs.  They fit great but there are some minor gaps along the very long seams.  The join between the main fuselage and the cockpit section can be a little tricky, too.  Just be patient attaching it and the seam clean up will be minimal.  

I think there is a boxing out there that includes weapons but they are had to come by.  You may need to get some AM weapons if you want to load it up.

I might start an In-Progress thread since I've been taking pics as I move along with it.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, October 27, 2013 6:21 PM

Yes do please I was actually wondering most about the Revell kit, though I am surprised to hear it has no weapons.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, October 27, 2013 6:30 PM

I really enjoyed the Hasagawa F-15C,I could recommend it

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, October 27, 2013 8:29 PM

Dean30

Yes do please I was actually wondering most about the Revell kit, though I am surprised to hear it has no weapons.

The Pro Modeler issue has various weapons with it. The basic Revell kit has just the drop tanks, LANTIRN pods, and 4 Sidewinders.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Sunday, October 27, 2013 9:36 PM

And you have to get after market LAU-128 launch rails if you want to add any AIM-120 AMRAAMs.  These aren't hard to find, though.

Actually, I got the Wolfpack F-15E OIF update set which includes everything you need to make your F-15E up to date.

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Kincheloe Michigan
Posted by Mikeym_us on Sunday, October 27, 2013 9:49 PM

That depends on what version of the Revell F-15 E you are talking about Revell had basically a in house molding of the F-15 E which I believe was the scaled down version of the 1/32 scale kit and the other was the rebox of the Hasegawa kit in the Pro-Modeler line.

I have the Academy F-15E and F-15C in 1/48 scale and Academy also released the MSIP version with new parts and a pilot with the current issue flight helmet.

stikpusher

For the price, the Revell E is probably the best out there, and also the most accurate.

On the workbench: Dragon 1/350 scale Ticonderoga class USS BunkerHill 1/720 scale Italeri USS Harry S. Truman 1/72 scale Encore Yak-6

The 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron the only Squadron to get an Air to Air kill and an Air to Ground kill in the same week with only a F-15   http://photobucket.com/albums/v332/Mikeym_us/

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Kincheloe Michigan
Posted by Mikeym_us on Sunday, October 27, 2013 9:54 PM

If you are going to build the 1st TFW Wing Commander aircraft as pictured on the box art do not add the eagles to the interior of the vertical stabilizers those are completely ficticious and weren't carried by any aircraft at Langley AFB. That bit of info was from my father who served in the 1st TFW from 1982-93 as a Eagle Keeper.

Fly-n-hi

I'm currently building a Revell F-15E and I have a Hasegawa F-15C in the stash.  

So far the fit of the Revell kit is very good.  The parts that give the most trouble are the CFTs.  They fit great but there are some minor gaps along the very long seams.  The join between the main fuselage and the cockpit section can be a little tricky, too.  Just be patient attaching it and the seam clean up will be minimal.  

I think there is a boxing out there that includes weapons but they are had to come by.  You may need to get some AM weapons if you want to load it up.

I might start an In-Progress thread since I've been taking pics as I move along with it.

On the workbench: Dragon 1/350 scale Ticonderoga class USS BunkerHill 1/720 scale Italeri USS Harry S. Truman 1/72 scale Encore Yak-6

The 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron the only Squadron to get an Air to Air kill and an Air to Ground kill in the same week with only a F-15   http://photobucket.com/albums/v332/Mikeym_us/

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, October 27, 2013 10:07 PM

Mikeym_us

That depends on what version of the Revell F-15 E you are talking about Revell had basically a in house molding of the F-15 E which I believe was the scaled down version of the 1/32 scale kit and the other was the rebox of the Hasegawa kit in the Pro-Modeler line.

I have the Academy F-15E and F-15C in 1/48 scale and Academy also released the MSIP version with new parts and a pilot with the current issue flight helmet.

stikpusher

For the price, the Revell E is probably the best out there, and also the most accurate.

No, the 1/48 Revell F-15E is thier own molding, not a scale down of their 1/32 kit, or a rebox of Hasegawa like the Promodeler F-4E  is. The Promodeler F-15E is simply a rebox of the original release with air to ground stores as well as the basic stores in the original release. By all reviews out there, it is the best 1/48 Strike Eagle kit out there.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Monday, October 28, 2013 12:43 AM

Mikeym_us

If you are going to build the 1st TFW Wing Commander aircraft as pictured on the box art do not add the eagles to the interior of the vertical stabilizers those are completely ficticious and weren't carried by any aircraft at Langley AFB...

Thanks for the tip but I actually bought some Afterburner Mountain Home decals for it.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Monday, October 28, 2013 5:48 AM

Thanks for the response guys! Revell it is! Though I will look for the after market parts that were mentioned as I would want to put some Hi-Tech munitions on it as I always think the E looks better armed.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Monday, October 28, 2013 6:39 AM

If you have a Michael's craft store near you they usually have a Revell F-15E in stock.  Get on their website and they have 40% off coupons too.

 

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Monday, October 28, 2013 6:53 AM

Ah I am assuming that's an American shop? I live in Belfast you see, but even Hannants don't have it in stock or even listed, but Amazon do but they're selling the Revell kit for the same price as a Hasegawa kit! I'll try EBAY as Amazon UK take some prices to the extreme. Also can I ask of any of you guys who have got experience with the Revell kit, what are the decals like? Usually from experience Revell make nice kits but the decals could be used as flooring in some cases.

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Monday, October 28, 2013 8:49 AM

I see them listed on Ebay regularly for $20 USD.  That's a fair price for it.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, October 28, 2013 9:09 AM

The Revell decals look ok in the box but I picked up some from Two Bobs Decals to replace them, if you can't find them I've sure you can find some other good quality aftermarket ones.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Monday, October 28, 2013 1:10 PM

$20 For that kit? Over here it's being sold for £45! Either way I saw it on EBAY for £25 which seems as good as it's gonna get for me but I look forward to it.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Monday, October 28, 2013 1:11 PM

Gamera ae you actually building that kit at the moment? If so are you going to post pics when it's completed?

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, October 28, 2013 7:15 PM

Dean: Oops, sorry! Didn't mean to give you that impression, I've had the kit in my stash for years now. It really looks great in the box, super nice detailing- not quite as petite as the Hasegawa or Academy kits but nice. I really need to build the darn thing!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Monday, October 28, 2013 7:42 PM

Same here. Bought it as a new release when it was frst issued. Sitting in my stash since then. I need to build mine as well. But I need to get another hasegawa weapons set to arm her up properly. I love when they are filled up with CBUs. Only have enough for one side so far.

Dean, unfortuantely your assessment of Revell decals is quite accurate. While the big things like national insignia are usually good enough, all their myriad stencils and such tend to shatter. On the sheet the kit decals look good,  but it might be wise to treat them ahead of time with something like Micro Scale decal film as a way to head off this problem.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by RobGroot4 on Friday, November 1, 2013 8:56 PM

For what it's worth, I recently picked up the Eduard F-15E when squadron.com had it on sale.  I think I got it for around $50 US.  I haven't touched it yet and probably won't for a bit, but it comes with 5 different options for paint schemes to include an Israeli variant.  Looks like it'll be a great kit to build, lots of weapons options.

Groot

"Firing flares while dumping fuel may ruin your day" SH-60B NATOPS

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, November 3, 2013 8:23 AM

I never even knew Eduard did an F-15 that's something to look into!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, November 3, 2013 11:08 AM

I think that the Eduard kit is a rebox of the Academy molds with Eduard AM parts.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Twin Towns, MN
Posted by MAgather on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 10:37 PM

Correct Stik, Eduards is the Academybwith their nice add ins.  

Good Modeling,
  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Monterey Bay,CA-Fort Bragg, NC
Posted by randypandy831 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:33 PM

revell has the most accurate E and hasegawa has the most accurate C even though it still has some problems. the engine bulge on academy's C are out of proportion and to large. stay away from hasegawa's E has it's a rebox of their D kit with extra crap to dress it up as an E.

tamiya 1/48 P-47D $25 + shipping

tamiya 1/48 mosquito $20+ shipping

hobby boss 1/48 F-105G. wings and fuselage cut from sprue. $40+ shipping. 

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