History of Monogram Models

Great video on the history of Monogram Models.  It one time was the leader in making plastic model kits.  I grown up with Monogram.  Great model a good price and lots of kool stuff.  Like opening bomb bays, folding wings and more.   Grab a cold drink, some chips, kick back . Now for the video.

Top model artist for model boxes

Growing up I loved the box art on Model kits.  Revell had amazing box art.  The imagination of these artist were something to behold. In some way this inspired to go into the USAF.  Jack Leynnwood was one of them.    Now I have something to watch during this stupid lock down.  Get some popcorn if you can, sit back and enjoy.

Making GWH kit into an "A" Model F-15

The GWH kit already includes these F-15A features:

1. F-15A/B wheels
2. Escapac seat

Make these changes on a very early F-15A airframe:

1. Leave forward undercarriage doors open on very early airframes (brace/retraction link to the forward lower corner)
2. Smaller airbrake area. Modifiy with plasticard and filler

Make these changes for a 'standard' F-15A airframe:

1. For standard (larger) airbrake, add external stiffener
2. Delete stiffeners on tailfins
3. Delete rudder actuator bumps
4. Modify pod on top of fin so both are same (small) type
5. Delete bumps on top of wings forward of the ailerons
6. Delete chordwise strengthening strip forward of aileron/flap gap. Leave panel in place but no raised strip
7. Add fairings (razor vents) below the fuselage
8. Delete black boxes in bay five
9. Bay five painted blue-green metallic

Off of ARC by Old Crew Dog.

F-15 A to C, A type prior to MISIP and C model initial production. Nose to Tail
Early C Models and A models were almost indistinguishable. I was a Crew Chief on A models 80 – 84 in the 27th TFS, 1TFW, 76-0057 was my first hog. Got my first C model 82-0019 in 83 with 12.7 hours from Micky D’s.
Top
1.    Majority of the cockpit remained the same with only minor instrumentation upgrades through the years.
2.    HUD and HUD combing glass went through an upgrade in 82 to accept the EagleEye scope, home made to mount to the side of the combing glass to slide a rifle scope on for visual identification.
3.    The early C models had the same cockpit configuration as the A model until after MISIP in the late 80’s.
4.    ESCAPAC seats were initially installed but changed out before 1980 on active duty aircraft with the ACESII Seat. The ACESII seat was basic with no major mods till much later in the seats career.
5.    Bay 5 was Metallic Green Color, much to the disbelief of many this was not painted white later in the A models career. This metallic green can be found in the avionics bays of all F-15’s. This Color carried on into the initial batch of C models’ my C model at Kadena 78-0479 still had a Green Bay 5.
6.    There was no set up for the ICS boxes that go in Bay5 on the C models.
7.    A models did not go through MISIP till later in their career, after the C models went through except for certain intercept squadron aircraft.
8.    Aileron actuator panels do not have the pronounced bulges as this denotes a modification of the addition of a hydraulic reducing valve which did not happen till C model production.
9.    Both LVS and RVS (left vertical stab and right vertical stab) are missing the beef up plates for the top bullets torque boxes did not come about till the late 80’s.
10.    Pnl 128 or tail hook fairing was not removed till after Desert Storm.
11.    Turkey Feathers were removed on the Nozzles starting in 79 through 82, I have the scars to prove that from snapping off the finger seals while doing my BPO.
12.    Sabre drains (sharp as hell redundant fibreglass drains) on the aft Engine Bay panels were there till after Desert Storm.
13.    JSF Exhaust still had a metal Louver, this was not moved till after Desert Storm..
14.    Wheels and Brakes were modified to the type you see today on C model production, A models had the star pattern type wheel and most did not receive the new type after going through MISIP in the 90’s.
15.    No chaff and flare mods installed under the intake on A models.
16.    COMM panel on the A model was further forward on the left intake bottom and square, the C model COMM panel was rectangular and further aft, both were hinged at the front of the panel.
17.    No ICS antennae’s behind the nose gear door and in between the blade or UHF antennae’s. 
18.    The rectangular blade antennae’s on the canopy hump aft of the canopy were the only half type used till the early 90’s when these were hard to replace so a suitable sub was found which turned into the shark ant you see today.
19.    There were panel changes over the years but this would not be noticeable in smaller scales and only to someone intamite with the F-15.

Flight Test F-15A schemes Part 2 By Mike Brickman

Early F-15A being test flown Part 1

One doesn't see many early pictures of the F-15.  Part two will have drawings of the paint schemes.

More F4 production photo.

This the last of what I have. 

McDonnell Douglas production for the F4 Phantom.

Just think how busy this plant was making the Phantom.  Now they pretty all gone.  Sad for such a great aircraft.