Hobby Master 1/72 HA4524 McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle Mig Killer Aircraft Model

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. Cesar Rodriguez (call sign RICO) joined the USAF in 1981 and served until 2006. In 1991 Rodriguez was assigned to the 33rd TFW/ 58th TFS and was flying F-15C 86-0169 during “Operation Desert Storm” when he downed an Iraqi MiG-29 and MiG-23. Eight years later on March 24, 1999 during “Operation Allied Force” Rodriguez was flying over Kosovo in an upgraded F-15C 86-0169 when he encountered Yugoslav pilot Major Ilijo Arizanov’s MiG-29. The MiG had been flying north but turned south to attack Rodriguez so he fired an AMRAAM destroying the target.