Hobby Master Archive
Air Power Jets 1/72
F-15
In 1967 the U.S. became aware of the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat. This made it necessary to develop a new aircraft to counter the MiG-25. The USAF rejected the USN F-14 Tomcat and issued its own requirements. The solution came in the form of the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle. The F-15A made its inaugural flight in July 1972 and in January 1976 the first Eagle entered service. The “E” entered service in 1989. The F-15 was the first dedicated USAF air superiority fighter since the F-86 Sabre.
Building on the Saudi Arabia F-15SA and Qatar F-15QA the F-15EX was brought to production in record time since a production line already existed. 84 F-15SA have been delivered to Saudi Arabia with Qatar ordering 36 F-15QAs with an option for an additional 36 aircraft. The first Qatar Emiri Air Force’s (QEAF) aircraft was delivered August 25, 2021 and the type was named Ababil after the legendary Qatari winged protector. The F-15 Eagle II will provide more speed, range and payload than any other fighter in the world.
