FighterControl

So today F-15C 86-172 finally broke cover from the paint shop and flew no less than three times

_MGC7504 by Ali Hunt, on Flickr

_MGC7531 by Ali Hunt, on Flickr

Tail 1024 by Ali Hunt, on Flickr

_MGC7650 by Ali Hunt, on Flickr

_MGC7685 by Ali Hunt, on Flickr

www.aircombatimages.com

Looks a bit better now I have seen both sides.Nice one fella.

It's ok but not epic. The black fins (especially with the bare inside surfaces) with just the badges on look a little unfinished to me, and could have benefited from a bit more artistry. Great to see nonetheless, and nice shots.

I may be showing my lack of geographical skills here, but regarding shot number 3, shouldn’t the 57 FIS in Iceland have got a mention, or is that not in Europe?

WOW!

lhrlima wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:12 pm

I may be showing my lack of geographical skills here, but regarding shot number 3, shouldn’t the 57 FIS in Iceland have got a mention, or is that not in Europe?

The 57th FIS weren’t part of USAFE, they reported directly to Tactical Air Command then Air Combat Command.

Shame Duxford already have an F-15 Eagle that Aircraft in that Scheme should be preserved over here when it's retired.........

Nice Reaper!
Great to see those old German and Dutch airfield names on the tail.
Maybe not right place to ask but;
How much longer. will the F-15C/Ds be in England ?

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:40 pm

lhrlima wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:12 pm

I may be showing my lack of geographical skills here, but regarding shot number 3, shouldn’t the 57 FIS in Iceland have got a mention, or is that not in Europe?

The 57th FIS weren’t part of USAFE, they reported directly to Tactical Air Command then Air Combat Command.

Thanks for the info, I genuinely didn’t know that!

Great photos and the aircraft looks good.
Cheers
John

Hi Ali

Personally, I love it

Reapers Rule

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

I like it (now how on earth do I get to LN before it goes west) I assume this airframe would be one of the last to depart which is why it has been chosen to be painted ?

Thunder wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:40 pm

lhrlima wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:12 pm

I may be showing my lack of geographical skills here, but regarding shot number 3, shouldn’t the 57 FIS in Iceland have got a mention, or is that not in Europe?

The 57th FIS weren’t part of USAFE, they reported directly to Tactical Air Command then Air Combat Command.

The badge does not actually mention USAFE, it refers to the Eagle "in" Europe.
lhrlima has a valid point for my 2 krona's worth.

Never said he didn’t, I was only offering an insight into a possible reason why Keflavik isn’t mentioned.

Just in case some of our younger viewers are feeling out of it ....

Shhh, top secret by Dotan Watchman, on Flickr

Great catch, a very sharp study of the farewell scheme. The king paint scheme is a very hard act to follow but that does not detract from these photos.

Are the E models not mentioned for a particular reason?

Visitor wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:12 pm

Are the E models not mentioned for a particular reason?

Probably because they are not leaving. But it is the end for the fighter versions of the F-15 in Europe.

That makes sense.
Thank you

My two penneth worth…… it looks ok, but agree with Dan it looks ‘unfinished’ especially with no Tail numbers. Also the Grim Reapers crest on one side is too big to look balanced with the 45years side, also the black paint on the tail looks like it’s been applied by a teenager with rattle cans, not one of LN’s finest efforts at a special scheme.
While it’s better than nothing of course I just find it a bit underwhelming.

But not to detract from the cracking shots posted