1/32 Tamiya F-15E 'Bunker Buster'

Gallery Article by Bill Bunting on Nov 13 2003

 

This is the newly released version of the F-15E.  It includes all of the old kit plus new ordinance, one new fin and new decals.

This is my second big scale jet and the latest 1/32 since my Zero.

I will update as I make some progress.

As of April 21, 2003...

 

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Sept 16, 2003....

    I have been away from models for the whole summer! I just got back to this project last week. Assembly has gone well with only one hitch - the wing to fuselage joint.  There was a significant "step" between the fuselage and wing in the centre of the wing.  There was also a gap here.  I cut a strip of thin styrene sheet to fill the gap, placed some fast acting glue (Tenax 7) in the joint and held the two parts to eliminate the gap.  I had to hold each side for about 2 minutes but it oked great.  I am using Model Master Gunship Gray for the paint.  I have just started the decals and they are responding very well to Gunze "Mr. Mark Softer".  I have found this to be the best for Tamiya decals.  Interestingly the new decals that come with the "Bunker Buster" are thinner and more fragile the the other "original F-15E" decals in the kit.

To date I have put together all of the 'new' ordinance and fuel tanks.  My goodness - there is more seam on one fuel tank than a 1/72 scale airplane!  So far - 4 bombs, 4 AMRAAMs, 4 sparrows, 3 fuel tanks and 2 pods.  I still have 36 CBUs and 2 more 1000 lb GBUs to assemble, sand, paint and then they all have to be decalled!

Oct 27, 2003 - Finished at last!!!

No problems - now finished with some Aeromaster acrylic semi-gloss (almost out of this now).  I took some photos and it's off to the show in 10 days.  Enjoy!

Bill Bunting

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Photos and text © by Bill Bunting