The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force selected McDonnell Douglas's design in 1967 to meet the service's need for a dedicated air superiority fighter. The Eagle first flew in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. It is among the most successful modern fighters, with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat, with the majority of the kills by the Israeli Air Force.

The Eagle has been exported to Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The F-15 was originally envisioned as a pure air-superiority aircraft. Its design included a secondary ground-attack capability that was largely unused. The aircraft design proved flexible enough that an all-weather strike derivative, the F-15E Strike Eagle, an improved and enhanced version which was later developed, entered service in 1989 and has been exported to several nations. As of 2017, the aircraft is being produced in different variants.

While some of the F-15C/Ds have been replaced by the F-22 Raptor, there is no slated replacement for the F-15E in its primary "deep strike" mission profile. The Strike Eagle is a more recent variant of the F-15, and has a sturdier airframe rated for twice the lifetime of earlier variants. The F-15Es are expected to remain in service past 2025. The USAF has pursued the Next-Generation Bomber, a medium bomber concept which could take over the Strike Eagle's "deep strike" profile. The F-35A Lightning II is projected to eventually replace many other attack aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II, and may also take over much of the F-15E's role; however, the F-15E has better combat range under payload.

Pictured here is a stunning 1:72 scale diecast replica of a USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle multi-role fighter that was piloted by Lt. Colonel Cesar "Rico" Rodriguez, who was attached to the 493rd Fighter Squadron "The Grim Reapers", 48th Fighter Wing, on March 24th, 1981. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-inches
Length: 10-1/2-inches

Release Date: December 2021

Historical Account: "Balkan Bonanza" - During 1999's Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia, Lt. Colonel Cesar "Rico" Rodriguez was deployed as part of the NATO campaign against the Yugoslavs. On the first night of the campaign, March 24th, 1999, several Yugoslav MiG-29s rose up to resist the NATO air attacks. Two MiGs took off on the opening night from Nis Air Force Base. The first was damaged from a missile strike from a Dutch air force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter, while the second flown by Yugoslav pilot Major Ilijo Arizanov was engaged and shot down by an F-15 Eagle piloted by Rodriguez. The MiG-29s of the Yugoslav air force were very old and suffering severe problems with their systems. Arizanov was having trouble getting his radar working when he was shot down by Rodriguez. This would be Rodriguez's third and final kill, making him the leading MiG-killer since the Vietnam War and tying him with two other USAF pilots for the most aerial victories since the Vietnam War.

After his combat service, Rodriguez continued to serve with the U.S. Air Force until November 30th, 2006, when he retired with the rank of colonel.