Israeli 1/48 F-15C

[Wig41]

I have a desire to build an Israeli F-15C and trying to decide how to go about it. I'm not talking about the F-15I, the two seaters. I'd like to do their current air defense fighter. I found a Hasegawa kit that'll cost about $150 for the kit and shipping. I'm hoping to do better than that. It appears the Israeli jet has the same vertical stabilizers as the F-15J, the small probes on top of both. I'm wondering how difficult it would be to use a "J" as a starting point. Adding Israeli weapons for one visible difference. I'm sure the cockpit is very different and that'll take more research. I have some books that show aircraft both with and without the conformal fuel tanks depending on the mission. I am hoping for info and opinions from the group about how to go about this project. Thanks.

The guys in back.

 

[Edbert]

I found a Hasegawa kit that'll cost about $150 for the kit and shipping. I'm hoping to do better than that.

Agreed, that is CRAZY!

Unfortunately I cannot recommend a solution to your problem.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

What about Great Wall Hobby f-15c

 

[Wig41]

If the GWH kit came with either two tails with the small probe on top of each or separate probes to put on top of the tails that might work. Though at the cost of the GWH kit maybe just go with that Hasegawa kit I've already identified.

 

[Edbert]

If the GWH kit came with either two tails with the small probe on top of each or separate probes to put on top of the tails that might work. Though at the cost of the GWH kit maybe just go with that Hasegawa kit I've already identified.

Local ad on FB Marketplace, says $20-30 each, is this GWH one you want?

 

[Wig41]

That is the kit and $30.00 is a great price. I'm not on Facebook. How does marketplace work?

 

[Wig41]

I went to Scale Mates and looked at the instructions for the GWH F-15C kit and it does come with separate pieces for the probes atop the vertical fins. I could easily copy the smaller one with styrene rod. This kit might be a good starting point.

 

[VegasAWACER13]

I would think it's probably easier to modify an F-15A/C kit. The jets in your photo are all configured for A/G but you'd make life easier by going with an A/A loadout and dispensing with the CFTs. Cockpit on an early Israeli single-seater would not be appreciably different than a US A or C model. External configuration of the jet would be essentially the same too. It's only if you went with a more recent Israeli configuration that you'd get greater differences with their indigenous EW gear and avionics.

 

[Wig41]

I would think it's probably easier to modify an F-15A/C kit. The jets in your photo are all configured for A/G but you'd make life easier by going with an A/A loadout and dispensing with the CFTs. Cockpit on an early Israeli single-seater would not be appreciably different than a US A or C model. External configuration of the jet would be essentially the same too. It's only if you went with a more recent Israeli configuration that you'd get greater differences with their indigenous EW gear and avionics.

Yes, I plan on doing A/A set ups for the aircraft and without the CFT's. To my eyes the main visual difference between their "C" and a US "C" are the probes on top of the tails. That's why I think starting with an F-15J would be good because they are the same visually as the Israeli. Another reason for my post was to see if others with more knowledge could point out any other details I need to consider.

 

[Wig41]

Edbert … I checked my stash, you don't want to hear what time I did , and I have that kit already. Thanks for looking for one and that is a great price!

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Yes, I plan on doing A/A set ups for the aircraft and without the CFT's. To my eyes the main visual difference between their "C" and a US "C" are the probes on top of the tails.

Those "probes" are mass balance stabilizers that were common to all F-15A/C derivatives. On the US models the left one was later replaced by a larger electronic warfare antenna. But at least some Israeli aircraft were later modified in that way too. Either way, a USAF F-15A/C could be used. Over the years the Israeli jets have been modified extensively, and keeping track of all those mods would be quite a bit of work! Building an early model would be easiest as it would be much closer to the original common configuration.

 

[Edbert]

That is the kit and $30.00 is a great price. I'm not on Facebook. How does marketplace work?

I see you've already passed on it, but for the record...

It is much like craig's list was or any other online classified ad system. Really the only reason I have a FB account to begin with. You do need an account to use it but not to vierw items, you just click on the contact seller button and start a conversation. I've sold more stuff there than purchased, and I always meet them in a public place, don;t want anyone coming to my house or any cash transactions in some dark alley. These days it is usually electronic cash payments anyway, I use "cashapp", they do not charge a percentage like some others and are an F1 sponsor.

 

[Wig41]

I see you've already passed on it, but for the record...

It is much like craig's list was or any other online classified ad system. Really the only reason I have a FB account to begin with. You do need an account to use it but not to vierw items, you just click on the contact seller button and start a conversation. I've sold more stuff there than purchased, and I always meet them in a public place, don;t want anyone coming to my house or any cash transactions in some dark alley. These days it is usually electronic cash payments anyway, I use "cashapp", they do not charge a percentage like some others and are an F1 sponsor.

Cool

 

[Ron2]

Local ad on FB Marketplace, says $20-30 each, is this GWH one you want?

View attachment 187079

$20-30 each! Holy cow by me I feel like they try to get top dollar for the kits. I've seen cars more expensive than I can pick up new at HL.

 

[Edbert]

$20-30 each! Holy cow by me I feel like they try to get top dollar for the kits

I check the FB marketplace regularly, it is where I got the WnW Gotha for half of the evilbay price.