Hasegawa 1/72 F-15K Slam Eagle Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

When the Republic of Korea looked for a new multirole fighter for its air arm, they selected the Boeing F-15K, dubbed Slam Eagle. The F-15K started with the F-15E design, but is powered by two GE F110 engines. Its APG-63(V)1 radar has the same operating modes as the APG-70 plus GMTI and sea surface search and track capabilities. As a fighter, the F-15K employs the full range of US armament from the AIM-9X to the AIM-120. In the strike role, the F-15K can carry most of the F-15E's guided and unguided weapons including JDAM plus the capability to employ SLAM-ER and Harpoon. Over 60 F-15Ks are in service with the RoKAF with the last airframe delivered in early 2012.

Hasegawa has updated their F-15E tooling with the additional parts to render the impressive F-15K. This kit is molded in gray styrene and presented on 11 parts trees plus one tree of clear parts.

This kit has the following features and options:

• Good cockpit (though AMS modelers will go aftermarket with a resin cockpit)
• Positionable canopy
• F110 nozzles
• Positionable speed brake
• Positionable stabilators
• Conformal tanks with correct weapons suspension pylons
• Positionable landing gear

Hasegawa provides some of the external stores for this aircraft, but you'll need to access their weapons kits (sold separately) to fully arm this aircraft:

• 12 x Rockeye
• AAQ-13 LANTIRN pod
• AAQ-28 LITENING pod
• AAQ-33 SNIPER XR pod
• 4 x 600 gallon drop tanks (only three used)

Markings are provided for two aircraft:

• F-15K, 02-039, 11 FW, RoKAF
• F-15K, 02-004, 11 FW, RoKAF

The decals are nicely done and include maintenance stenciling and weapons stencils.

This is a nice looking kit that has the parts in the box to still render an F-15E if you wish, but also renders one of the latest Eagles off the McAir (Boeing) production line.

For a look at this kit built-up, look here.

My sincere thanks to Hasegawa USA for this review sample!