Military Model Scene

Title: F-15 Eagle
Author: Bertie Simmonds
Publisher: Tempest Books
ISBN: 978-1-911658-53-5

A new title from Tempest Books and author Bertie Simmonds, looking at the history of the F-15 Eagle, and bringing us right up to date with the F-15EX version, rolled out only this year, 2021. A 144-page hardback, filled with detailed and very readable text, accompanied by a lot of excellent colour images as well.
The sub-title tells us a lot, rating it as the 'Undefeated 4th Generation Super-Fighter'. With a record in air combat of what is said to be 104 to 0, that is impressive for a fighter type that first flew 50 years ago, back in 1972. As explained in the early part of the book, after the Vietnam war the US decided to develop a dedicated air superiority fighter, fitted with aa internal gun mount, rather than relying on a multi-role aircraft such as the Phantom, reliant on missiles. Lots of detail about the development of the F-15, the gun, the radar, the engines, the HOTAS controls and even the use of 3/8 size models that were used even after the first aircraft had flown. There were comparative flights with the rival F-14 and other aircraft types and not only service with the USAF but also export customers such as the Israeli IDF, who were the first to fly it in combat. Even with newer 5th generation aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor coming along in more recent years, a new improved version of the F-15, the F-15EX has been rolled out this year and looks set to replace many of the now aging airframes still in service. The book does cover the development of the multi-role capabilities of the F-15 that have proved so successful, with the F-15E Strike Eagle.
There is a lot to discover in this book, perhaps the most remarkable in my view is the photo of one aircraft which collided with an A-4 Skyhawk during training and lost virtually the entire right wing. The power of the twin engines kept it flying and it was able to make a successful landing, albeit rather fast, so the crew survived and the aircraft could be repaired and returned to flight. I found this a really interesting book and happily recommend it.
Thanks to Morton Books for the review copy.

Robin