F-15DJ Eagle Japan Self Defense JASDF HA4510 Hobby Master 1:72

Hobby Master Die Cast model, Air Power series F-15DJ Eagle Japan Self Defense JASDF “82-8065,” 204th Squadron, 83rd AG, JASDF, Naha Air Base Scale: 1:72 Item: HA4510 Professionally painted. Great attention to detail. All markings are Tampered (pad applied). In 1967 the U.S. became aware of the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat. This made it necessary to develop a new aircraft to counter the MiG-25. The USAF rejected the USN F-14 Tomcat and issued its own requirements. The solution came in the form of the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle. The F-15A made its inaugural flight in July 1972 and in January 1976 the first Eagle entered service. The "E" entered service in 1989. The F-15 was the first dedicated USAF air superiority fighter since the F-86 Sabre. McDonnell Douglas F-15DJ 82-8065 was one of the six aircraft sent to the Hiko Kyodotai, an aggressor squadron based at Nyutabaru. The Mitsubishi T-2s had low power and non-acceptable accident rate so it was decided to replace them with the F-15DJ. Aircraft from this unit wore a cobra head painted on it. This F-15DJ eventually was reassigned to the 204 Hikotai/83 Kokotai that had been based at Hyakuri but in 2009 swapped bases with the 302 Hikotai. 204 Hikotai now operates out of Naha AB, Okinawa.