The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles can be distinguished from other U.S. Eagle variants by darker camouflage and conformal fuel tanks mounted along the engine intakes.

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While some of the F-15C/Ds have been replaced by the F-22 Raptor, there is no slated replacement for the F-15E in its primary "deep strike" mission profile.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 Colonel Lee Alton, CO of the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron "Wolfhounds", then deployed to Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands, during the late 1980s. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: December 2017

Historical Account: "Defending the Netherlands" - On November 1st, 1968, the USAF transferred the 32d Fighter Interceptor Squadron to the command of Seventeenth Air Force stationed at Sembach Air Base, Germany. On July 1st, 1969, the USAF redesignated the unit as the 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron and reequipped the squadron with the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II. On October 19th, 1977, the USAF decided that the 32d would receive the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle. In 1978, the Phantoms were flown to Ramstein Air Base in West Germany where they were assigned to the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing.

In 1989, the Dutch government allowed USAF to expand its headquarters unit at Soesterberg from squadron to group. The 32d Tactical Fighter Group was activated at Soesterberg on November 16th, 1989, and took over functions of old 32d Squadron headquarters element and support flights (later squadrons) received support responsibilities.

During the 1991 Gulf War, after more than forty years, the Wolfhounds saw action again. Aircrew and ground support personnel were deployed, during the Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, August 1990 until March 1991, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. On January 28th, 1991, one of the pilots killed an Iraqi MiG. After the War they continued their air activities in theatre as a part of Operation Provide Comfort from April 1991 until April 1993. Headquarters USAFE replaced the 32d Fighter Group on July 1st with the 632d Air Base Squadron; its duty was to complete the closure actions. On 19 April the group furled its colors in formal ceremonies attended by members of the Royal family and the American ambassador. The 32d Group's subordinate units were inactivated on July 1st and the group on October 1st, 1994.