Readers will be relieved I am not going to prequel this short inclusion with an in depth history of the F.15 Eagle. Suffice to say, with the development history of this aircraft almost as well documented as its more recent exploits in the Middle East and Gulf conflicts, it would be easier to list those model companies who have not included this aircraft in all its guises and most scales at some point or other since the original kit appeared (as Big Kev correctly stated elsewhere) in early 1975 from the Hasegawa stable.
The fist development TF.15 later corrected to F.15B was widely used as a demonstrator to potential customers and as a proving platform for many trial and modifications programmes and of course, the now famous F.15 Strike Eagle. Usually seen painted in McDD’s air superiority blue it is nonetheless best remembered by many, myself included, for that striking red/white/blue bi-centennial scheme carried throughout 1976.
Hasegawa’s kit was deemed by most reviewers to be of superlative quality at the time of issue, this despite some extremely difficult fit problems with the large wing sections. First appearing as the F.15A, the upper fuselage section was quickly supplemented with a new two-seat configured one complete with new cockpit, additional seat and bulged canopy. Both single and two-seat versions were subsequently issued as the C, D and E (Strike Eagle) with additional armaments being included at every turn. today's modeller taking one of these to the work bench may be surprised at the unforgiving nature of the hard, sometimes brittle plastic used.
With its faults in mind, this somewhat challenging build is worth the effort if you wish to builds an early incarnation of this aircraft. Indeed, the first model (now hard to find) even had the original squared-off wingtips! The only other manufacturer to include these was Monogram who even moulded their kit in a suitably impressive, if somewhat malleable blue plastic.
As you will see from the photos below, Hasegawa provided a full decal set for the cockpit, and even after only a couple of thin coats of paint, the familiar image of what was arguable the best fighter of its time begins to take shape.