Hobby Master 1/72 HA4554 Douglas F-15C Eagle 85-0102 Gulf Spirit 33rd TFW Eglin AFB 1991 Operation Desert Storm

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.

During Desert Storm F-15C Eagle 85-0102 scored three victories. First on January 29, 1991 Captain David Rose of the 33rd FW downed a MiG-23. The second and third victories came on February 7, 1991 when Captain Anthony Murphy of the 36th FW shot down two Su-22's. F-15C 85-0102 was assigned to Colonel Rick Parsons Commander of the 33rd TFW and bears his name but his victory over an Su-7 came in another F-15C 84-0124. Three Iraqi flags represent Rose and Murphy's kills and the star is Colonel Parsons.