The Modelling News: Gary completes his GWH F-15B/D as an aggressive Japanese J..

Gary has taken a lot of care making his new Great Wall Hobby F-15J into a masterpiece – we have seen him build it up now for pictures of the original aircraft and the whole model completed for those who want to cut straight to the chase!

F-15B/D

1/48th scale
Great Wall Hobby
Kit No: L4815
1/48th scale
Available from: Great Wall Hobby directly & most model shops
Model by Gary Wickham

GWH 1/48 F-15B/D Eagle Correction set review here.
GWH 1/48 F-15B/D Eagle - Build Review Part I
GWH 1/48 F-15B/D Eagle - Build Review Part II
GWH 1/48 F-15B/D Eagle - Build Review Part III
GWH 1/48 F-15B/D Eagle - Completed Gallery

The Aircraft

This JASDF F-15DJ. Belongs to the Hiko Kyodotai (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron) which is the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s dedicated aggressor squadron.

Based at Nyutabaru, the unit provides air combat training for most of the JASDF’s combat units. Something of an elite unit, the Hiko Kyodotai predominately operates the two-seat Mitsubishi F-15DJ Eagle, although some single seat F-15Js are also on strength.

Most of the F-15s are painted in very colourful camouflage schemes, with each aircraft seemingly carrying unique colours. Aircraft of the Hiko Kyodotai regularly deploy to bases throughout Japan, in order to assist in the training of the regular squadrons.

The two tone blue splinter scheme I chose was applied to aircraft 92-8068 in 2013 – this aircraft used the two tone brown and grey scheme in 2012.

The Kit

This is the 1/48^th scale Great Wall Hobby (GWH) F-15B/D Eagle (kit L4815). The model includes the parts from the update set issued by GWH to correct a number of general shape issues. I did a bit of work to the cockpit (used Black Box resin seats), used the Aires resin nozzles designed for the Revell F-15E and added some scratchbuilt additions to more accurately depict a JASDF F-15DJ.

The open radome and avionics bays are provided in the kit but I did extra work in this area to more accurately detail them. I was not inspired by the two-tone grey IAF or USAF F-15B/D schemes provided in the box so went looking for something a bit different. It did not take long to settle on one of the colourful "Aggressor" schemes applied to the JASDF Eagles. The decals are a mixture of Two Bobs, DXM (Double Excellent Model), Hasegawa and GWH. The display base is pre-printed cardboard from Uschi van der Rosten. The model was finished with Gunze Mr Color laquer paints and Alclad II metalisers.

If you like to see the step by step build of this model we have posted three build articles which can be found here :- Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3

OK here is the aircraft in detail