Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4512 TF-15 Eagle ‘Bicentennial’ 1976 Farnborough International Air Show

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

Professionally painted.

All markings are pad applied for superb results.

Crew figure.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear can be displayed up or down.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

During the 1960’s and in Vietnam the U.S. military realized the F-4 Phantom II was barely able to cope with the Soviet aircraft and began looking for a newer faster and air dominance aircraft. The Air Force rejected the F-14 and a contract was awarded to McDonnell Douglas to produce the required aircraft. With this came the birth of the TF-15A Eagle. The first TF-15A delivered to an operational unit was 73-0108 for the 555th TFTS/58th TTW. Depending on the source there were between 58 and 62 TF-15A/F-15B’s built.

The F-15B was originally designated McDonnell Douglas TF-15A in the early 1970’s. Aircraft 71- 0291 was the second two-seater variant produced. It made its first flight on October 18, 1973 and was re-designated an F-15B on December 1, 1977. Over time the aircraft was used to develop the FAST PACK (conformal fuel tanks) used on the F-15E and made world-wide sales tours. One stop in 1976 was the Farnborough Air Show wearing a paint scheme to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. 71-0291’s career ended as a Battle Damage Repair trainer.

McDonnell Douglas TF-15A renamed F-15B specifications Role - Two-Seat Trainer First Flight TF-15A - July 1973 First Flight 71-0291 - October 18, 1973 Production F-15B Formerly TF-15A - 61 Built between 1972/1979 The F-15B is almost identical to the F-15A except for the longer canopy which allows for two seats. A few internal items are removed to permit this extension Dimensions Length - 63 ft 9 ins Wingspan - 42 ft 9.5 ins Height - 18 ft 5.5 ins

Performance Power Plants - 2 X Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 (JTF22A-25A) axial-flow turbofans Thrust - 12,420 lbs dry / 14,670 lbs @ full military power / 23,830 lbs with after-burners. Maximum Speed - 1,650 mph, (Mach 2.5) @ 36,000 ft At Sea Level - 915 mph Cruising Speed - 570 mph Initial Climb Rate - 40,000 fpm Service Ceiling - 65,000 ft Maximum Range Un-refueled - 3,450 miles Fuel Maximum Internal - 1,790 US gallons External - 3 X 610 gallon drop tanks Maximum Total - 3,620 US gallons Weight Empty - 27,000 lbs Combat - 40,000 lbs Gross - 41,500 lbs Maximum Takeoff - 66,000 lbs Armament 1 X 20 mm General Electric M61A1 Vulcan cannon with 940 rounds 4 X AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or 4 X AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles