The best plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of the F-15 Eagle?

Question

Every plastic kit manufacturer (Revell,Airfix, Hasegawa,Academy, etc.) have in his cataloge an 1/72 F-15 Eagle, but no all is an accurate one.

tell my, the best kit of the F-15 Eagle in 1/72 scale is, and why?

Answer 1

I've always preferred the Hasegawa kits... the panel lines are the most accurate in placement and scale.  The model itself is accurate, but I've purchased numerous after-market parts to build specific models of the aircraft.

Of course my FAVORITE Eagle was Tamiya's 1/32 scale F-15E Strike Eagle... I've built it twice.

Of course I also preferred Hasegawa's kits because they had a TERRIFIC selection of my favorite subject... US NAVAL aircraft.

Answer 2

Have to agree with Mariner3...the Hasegawa kit is really the only game in town in 1/72nd.  That said, make sure you get the late '80's edition of the kit, with the Turkey Feather-less nozzles and a bunch of more accurate details.  For a few other pointers....

1.  If you are building an F-15C or -15A, get the Eduard color photo etch sets.  They give you all of the instrument panels you will need for all of them, and they are easy to use and look really good.

2.  If you are building an F-15D or F-15B, you will have to scramble for rear panels.

3.  For an F-15E in 1/72nd, you will need to start with the Hasgawa F-15D (or the Academy F-15D), and then use the IsraModels (not sure that is quite right) F-15I conversion kit for the CFTs and other details...and there will still be a lot of scribing.  www.f-15estrikeeagle.com is a good source for Strike Eagle information.

4.  For seats, use the Quickboost resin seats.  They're relatively cheap and very nice.

5.  Just for your own sanity's sake, use the Aires cast resin turkey fether-less exhausts.  They are a lot easier to get together than the awful five-petal assembly in the kit.

6.  Finally, use the Hasegawa 1/72nd weapons sets to really spice up your Eagle.  In fact, Set X72-9, USAF Weapons Set V, gives you the AIM-120 AMRAAMs and the proper launch rails for the Eagle, as well as AIM-9s--the kit has no weapons in it.