Hobby Master 1/72 HA4527 McDonnell Douglas F-15I Ra'am No.241, The Hammer Squadron, Israeli Air Force, 2010s

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. The Israeli Air Force had 24 F-15I Ra’am (Thunder) delivered to the 69 “The Hammer” Squadron between January 1998 and June 1999. No. 69 Squadron is based at Hatzerim AB. Aircraft # 241 was manufactured as c/n 1308/1014 (former USAF 94-0299). The F-15I is a variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle with some modifications specified by the IDFAF such as some electronics that were designed and installed. The F-15Is have Sharpshooter targeting pods and LANTIRN pods for night vision. In 2016 upgrades for the F-15I structure and electronics were approved.