Hobby Master Archive

USAF 493rd FS “Grim Reapers” based at RAF Lakenheath, England wanted to mark the 45 years the Eagle has been in Europe operating from various bases. F-15C 86-0172 was given a special paint scheme to mark the occasion with a shield on the left vertical stabilizer marked “Eagle 1977 – 2022” and listing the many bases that have been home to the F-15 Eagle. Painted on the right stabilizer was the 493rd FS “Grim Reapers” logo. The speed brake wore serial numbers of other F-15s. Early February 2022 saw the departure of the last F-15 Eagle.