Re yesterdays Keflavik deployment

[David750]

I was just wondering about the range of an F15C/D could they not do it without tanker support ?, when the 57 FIS were based at Keflavik they used to make regular visits to the UK did they need tanker support each time as well, I can recall some of their flights over E Yorks but I cant recall seeing tankers with them. Can anyone enlighten me
Mtia

[tommc]

57th FIS Eagles had FAST packs fitted

[slogen51]

I bet the F-4E came via Lossie or Leuchars

[XR713]

57 FIS used to regularly have Lossie or Leuchars as a diversion airfield. I believe two F-102s diverted into Leuchars the day before a BoB show there, and departed before the display commenced.

[AIROPPS]

Said during A/R it would be only one refuelling .

[Phil]

I was just wondering about the range of an F15C/D could they not do it without tanker support ?, when the 57 FIS were based at Keflavik they used to make regular visits to the UK did they need tanker support each time as well, I can recall some of their flights over E Yorks but I cant recall seeing tankers with them. Can anyone enlighten me
Mtia

Possible, but would you want to be flying to Iceland with minimum fuel on arrival? Doesn't sound like conditions were ideal yesterday.

[Mike]

I believe two F-102s diverted into Leuchars the day before a BoB show there, and departed before the display commenced.

I think they arrived during the show on 16/09/72 and were 56-1314 & 56-1418. I was there and I don't recall them departing.

[TeeJay]

I think that the F15E would do it without a tanker support.
I believe the C has done it without tankers in past but assume it very much depends on wx and wind conditions. Also note E has larger fuel capacity than the C due to the conformal fuel tanks.

[Malcolm]

My memory is that the first F-15E to come to Europe (the re-worked prototype YF-15A 71-0291) self deployed direct from Goose/Gander/St Johns? to Mildenhall/Farnborough? - i.e. nonstop with no tanker support. I don't think F-15E has HF capability (for ATC comms), and I don't know what routing was used but Skyvector gives any of those as a minimum distance (over the oggin and Eire) of 2100nm ish. If routing closer to land (Greenland/Iceland) then the distance increases to about 2300nm.

Wikipedia says F-15 ferry range is 3000nm with Fast Packs and 3 external tanks. Lakenheath to Kef is 'only' 1002nm, so even without FAST packs I'd have though an F-15C could fly Lakenheath to Kef and back again without requiring tanker support. However, a single/dual seater fighter over the North Atlantic with no support isn't a place I'd like to find myself too often.

[mohawk68]

They Used To Come Down To Leuchars , Often Supported By A KC-135 Calling Mogas-45

[luxto]

My memory is that the first F-15E to come to Europe (the re-worked prototype YF-15A 71-0291) self deployed direct from Goose/Gander/St Johns? to Mildenhall/Farnborough? - i.e. nonstop with no tanker support. I don't think F-15E has HF capability (for ATC comms), and I don't know what routing was used but Skyvector gives any of those as a minimum distance (over the oggin and Eire) of 2100nm ish. If routing closer to land (Greenland/Iceland) then the distance increases to about 2300nm.

Wikipedia says F-15 ferry range is 3000nm with Fast Packs and 3 external tanks. Lakenheath to Kef is 'only' 1002nm, so even without FAST packs I'd have though an F-15C could fly Lakenheath to Kef and back again without requiring tanker support. However, a single/dual seater fighter over the North Atlantic with no support isn't a place I'd like to find myself too often.

71-0291 flew from Loring AFB, Maine to Mildenhall with no tanker support.

If memory serves me correctly when 57FIS F-15C's were repainted at Kemble they flew Keflavik to Kemble direct, as singletons, with no tanker support. No tankers on the return flight either.

[tommc]

I think that the F15E would do it without a tanker support.
I believe the C has done it without tankers in past but assume it very much depends on wx and wind conditions. Also note E has larger fuel capacity than the C due to the conformal fuel tanks.

As already stated, 57th FIS Eagles were fitted with FAST packs.

[Knife 04]

I think that the F15E would do it without a tanker support.
I believe the C has done it without tankers in past but assume it very much depends on wx and wind conditions. Also note E has larger fuel capacity than the C due to the conformal fuel tanks.

As already stated, 57th FIS Eagles were fitted with FAST packs.

Here you go - a 57th FIS F-15C in 1987 fitted with FAST (Fuel and Sensor Tactical) Packs - believe these were later known as Conformal Fuel Tanks
F-15C - 80-0041 / IS - 57th FIS, Keflavik, Iceland by Darren Currie, on Flickr

[David750]

Great, thanks for the replies guys and especially for the photo which shows the FAST pack

[TeeJay]

I think that the F15E would do it without a tanker support.
I believe the C has done it without tankers in past but assume it very much depends on wx and wind conditions. Also note E has larger fuel capacity than the C due to the conformal fuel tanks.

As already stated, 57th FIS Eagles were fitted with FAST packs.

Here you go - a 57th FIS F-15C in 1987 fitted with FAST (Fuel and Sensor Tactical) Packs - believe these were later known as Conformal Fuel Tanks
F-15C - 80-0041 / IS - 57th FIS, Keflavik, Iceland by Darren Currie, on Flickr

Nice picture Daz,
I don’t think I can ever recall seeing a C with the tanks, so good to see one.

[LN Strike Eagle]

The Israeli F-15C/Ds that deployed to Waddington last year had them.

[paddyboy]

As the Trevster says, great pic, Daz

[Knife 04]

Nice picture Daz,
I don’t think I can ever recall seeing a C with the tanks, so good to see one.

As the Trevster says, great pic, Daz

Cheers both - just put it up as an illustration of the 57th F-15s from Keflavik - also a 57th 'D' model here with the same fit
F-15D - 80-0057 / IS - 57th FIS, Keflavik AS, Iceland by Darren Currie, on Flickr

[paddyboy]

[the concerned]

I suppose yes they could but what if you get there and you need to divert.