F-15A EAGLE MODEL

The F15A Eagle sometimes called “YF-15A”. There were 384 F15As that were built in history including 18 full scale development aircrafts. The serial number of the first produced F-15A was 71-0280 and it was used in the ceremony in St. Louis way back June 26, 1972. The F15A made its first flight on July 27, 1972 by company test pilot Irving Burrows.

On March 1973, there was a production of thirty F15A and B aircrafts. The first F15, TF-15A 73-0108 was for an operational USAF unit. The said F15 was a replacement training unit for F15 operations during the first stage of the introduction of the Eagle into service. Winter of year 1974 to 1975, McDonnell altered the F-15A serial number 72-0119 to set the world time in order for him to climb records. The said project was called Streak Eagle. To rid of some weight for this project, all non important systems were deleted including the flap, speed brake, armament, radar and fire control system. The paint of the F15A was also ripped of, resulting a bare metal aircraft. The F-15A was 1800 pound less than the others. This F15A which was produced by the Streak Eagle project is now on outdoor display at the USAF Museum inside the Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.

The F15A’s that were received by the USAF were used for testing. The testing of F15A went smoothly though there were structural changes including a notched stabilator and rake wingtips for production aircraft. The USAF ordered more 350 F15A models for their operational service. The F15A models were also used by Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.