Mcdonnell Douglas F-15 Bis

[Brian da Basher]

In late 1978 the R & D dept. of McDonnell-Douglas completed studies showing that the addition of another pair of wings to their F-15 would substantially increase its high-altitude performance. At the same time, the U.S. Air Attache in Moscow uncovered secret Soviet data showing how intimidated the Red Army had been by Nazi Stukas during W.W. II, finding the Stukas' spats increadibly fearsome. The marriage of these two seemingly dis-similar sets of data brought to life one of the most unique designs of the Supersonic Jet Age -- the F -15 bis spatted biplane.

Wind tunnel tests made in early 1979 showed the promise of the design and photos of mock-ups presented to Red Army and V.V.S. defectors proved the hoped-for intimidation factor of the spats causing the emigres to soil themselves in sheer terror.

A test squadron of F-15 bis were completed in late 1980 and assigned to the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard for trials. The new supersonic spatted biplane was able to climb higher and out-manoever every opponent it faced in mock dog-fights. However, the U.S. Air Force was loathe to order full-scale production of such an advanced and unorthodox design, and only the test squadron was produced.

The example shown here served with the "Sharks" wing (called the "Grinning Idiots" by their U.S. Navy adversaries in mock dogfights) of the 111th F.W. until the unit was re-equipped with A-10s in 1987.

1st of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The base kit(s) for this project were two 1/144 scale F-15s our most Productive Comrade Anthony was generous enough to send me along with a box full of other goodies. I was thrilled to have two F-15s to carry out my "threat" to turn them into one spatted F-15 biplane. The build was fairly straightforward except that the canopy for the F-15 I used for most of this was a little overscale and looked ideal to be recycled on a 1/72 scale project. I proceeded by using the more in-scale canopy from the other F-15 which I blended in with liberal amounts of Squadron putty. This shot shows off the biplane look nicely.

2nd of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The build fell together with very few hitches. The hardest part was trimming the wings off the donor F-15 kit. Spats (I love spats! ) were fabricated from the spare horiz. stabs from the donor kit. I elected not to use any struts between the wings as I thought they would detract from the supersonic nature of this aircraft.

3rd of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[gooberliberation]

Is this a preview for your secret santa build?

[Brian da Basher]

I added wingtip Sidewinders from the kit, thinking that one on each of the four wingtips would help highlight the biplane look. The entire model was brushpainted by hand with acrylics. I used Testors Light Ghost Gray and White for the "Snow Leopard" camo scheme and Model Masters Steel and Windsor-Newton's Mars Black artist acrylics on the burner cans and the wheels. I took a tip from that young Kiwi whiff genius Zac and first painted the burner cans black and then dry-brushed the steel over top. I really think this techique is great for burner cans and finally I found something those crappy brushes that come with the Testor's paint sets are good for.

4th of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The decals were a hodge-podge of leftovers from my spares, but the tail banners were custom printed by Comrade Anthony himself! I'm really impressed how he was able to replicate the detailed banner and crest of the 111th Fighter Wing and to my eye his awesome custom decals make this build! I still have a set of Pennsylvania A.N.G. tail banners which will be used for other projects.

5th of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Mr Anthony, my hat is off to you for your generosity in providing the kits and the 111th F.W. decals for this project! I am now not only in awe of your amazing talent and productivity but also in how you selflessly helped me to bring this project to reality!

Last of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Is this a preview for your secret santa build?

Hmmm well I think you'll find my SSGB project very interesting, gooberlib. I've got to admit that it's such a nice kit I almost hesitate to perform too much major surgery on it.

I did say almost.

Brian da Basher

[BlackOps]

I love the double wing you psycho!  I can't believe there's no hardpoints on those spats!  :dum:  Great work once again,  love the backstory "grinning idiots"    

[anthonyp]

... and finally I found something those crappy brushes that come with the Testor's paint sets are good for.

HEY!!  I use those brushes!  I find they're the best for large patches of the same colour.

Looks great, Brian!  I wasn't sure how you were going to get spats on the thing, but you managed to just fine!

"Stuka spats especially fearsome"  Comrade, spats are indeed frightening.

You've got more decals coming, Spatman!  Hold off on the SSGB until you get them (should go out tomorrow).

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I was wondering how you were going to manage this build and by golly, you have created a one of a kind there BdB!

[PanzerWulff]

I like it it's kinda Silly But HEY I LIKE "SILLY"I'm not the "Whiffing Fool" for nothing, to use my own term it's "WHIFTY!!!"WTG Brian

"Panzer" :ar:  

[K5054NZ]

Not at all what I envisioned - this is TONS BETTER!        


Why oh why didn't the USAF go with this beauty? Jeez, Brian, you say you want me off of jets, and you go an do this? You're evil bro, totally evil!


Me totally likey!

Cheers,

Zac

PS - great job on the burner cans!  

[nev]

Radish would be proud!    

[B777LR]

Radish would be proud!