MY FAVOURITE AEROPLANE IN 200 WORDS #12 McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15C Eagle by Scott Bachmeier
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What is wrong with you Europeans? Half of the airplanes written about here as favorites are ‘quirky’ or ‘flawed’? I like things because they’re the best, not because they’re crap.
The F-15 Eagle has been the world’s best fighter since it entered frontline USAF service in 1976… I hear you spitting out your martinis as you read that. You leap to your feet. “RAPTOR!” you scream, the buttons on your cardigan exploding off in fury.
I disagree.
The F-22 is the flash, top-of-the-range guitar hanging on a $900 rack on the wall of a wannabe rockstar. It’s too pricey to be played, what if it was scratched?
The F-15 on the other hand is the battered old Fender that has proved time and time again its power to rock the joint. The F-15 is longer-ranged than the F-22, it has better short-range air-to-air missiles (X-Rays)..more vitally, it has a helmet system that can target designate- an entry-level technology that even F-16s have. It has an unprecedented kill-to-loss ratio of 104/0. Nothing else has anything approaching that.
Viva La Eagle!
PS my wife is European.
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Indeed – viva la Eagle!
Especially appropriate as now talk leans towards the USAF buying more “gray” F-15s – the F-15X.
This bird is simply majestic and STILL holds others up by the throat. It flew in the 70s fer chrissake!
I mean – just look at it!
Viva la Eagle!
We Portland Oregon area residents had the great pleasure of witnessing the F-15 Eagles of the proud Red Hawk Squadron at PDX, on their way to patrol the Pacific Coast fully fueled and armed! These same aircraft and crews absolutely dominated all other entries at the “Top Gun” competition the only year they were allowed to enter. Foul they called, and would not let them return.
The Red Hawks train daily as part of their job, and their extensive experience in the superb F-15 aircraft make them the still dominant force guarding our Pacific Coast.
Unfortunately, the public would much rather not put up with the noise, so they are now operating from another location. We dearly miss the daily thunderous roar of majestic fighter aircraft in takeoff formations from PDX, as well as the comforting howl of their landing approach on return.
I still hear them occasionally from my east side Beaverton home, and take great comfort in the fact that brave warriors are willing to sacrifice everything to protect even the ungrateful public who shun them.
God Speed Red Hawks! Most of us love and respect you for what you do so well!
Bill Adair
USAF retired