F-15A Eagle, USAF, ADC, 5th FIS, Monogram 1/72

 

The Air Defense Command, responsible for the defense of the continental United States, its capital, cities, and industries, was created during the most dangerous moments of the Cold War, when it was believed that large formations of Soviet nuclear bombers would cross the Arctic, the Atlantic, and the Pacific, in what would be a brief Third World War. To carry out its work, the ADC was always equipped with the best interceptors that the American industry could produce: the F-96, F-101, F-102, F-4, and the magnificent F-106.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was the last combat aircraft belonging to the Air Defense Command (ADC). Its functions were later taken over by Air National Guard aircraft. The end of the Cold War saw a general lowering of guard, and when 9/11 occurred, there wasn't a single interceptor aircraft protecting New York City or any of the major cities, including the capital. The demobilization of operational units was seen for what it was: the worst mistake the USAF has made in modern times.

History of the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

This unit was born as the 5th Pursuit Squadron, during the pre-war expansion, in January 1941, one of the squadrons created at Selfridge AFB, when the USAAF finally decided to prepare for war. At first, it was a unit on paper, without equipment or personnel. Little by little, it was equipped, first a command, which solved the problem of obtaining everything. At that time, there were not even training aircraft. The ranks were filled, veteran pilots in command and new pilots, recently graduated; assigned to the defense of the Northeast area, by the end of the year, it finally had a few P-39s and P-40s.

It was one of the squadrons destined for Europe, but by 1942, the P-39 was considered unsuitable for the front, so it was decided that it would be re-equipped with Spitfires. One of the few units to participate in the Reverse Loan Program in the United Kingdom, it received refresher training on the Spitfire Mk V and began escort operations for the bombers of the 8th Air Force. However, the Spitfire was an interceptor, ill-suited for the task. When the invasion of North Africa took place, it was one of the units sent to the area, based in Algeria, fighting against the aircraft of the Afrika Korps and the Regia Aeronautica. It continued operations in the Mediterranean and Italy, and was deactivated at the end of the war.

Reactivated in 1946 for the occupation of Europe, equipped with P-61 Black Widows and based in Schweinfurt, the following year it returned to the Continental United States, again assigned to the Northeast Air Defense, successively receiving F-82s and in 1957, F-102s, in February 1960 it was transferred to the Western Air Defense, to Minot Air Base and received new F-106s, in the mid-80s they were replaced with new F-15A Eagles, configured as interceptors, but they did not last long, in 1988, with the disappearance of the ADC, the unit was deactivated.

The most direct route for Soviet bombers was through the Arctic Circle, making the defense of the northern states vital. This unit, based at Minot AFB, North Dakota, was tasked with intercepting the attack route, taking off and intercepting the attackers over the Arctic Circle, where they could use nuclear weapons without endangering the civilian population.

MODELISM

This is the magnificent Monogram model from the early 1980s, manufactured in Mexico by Necomisa. It's one of the best F-15s of that era, with tons of parts and excellent detailing. However, it had one flaw: Necomisa only imported the F-15E version, so it lacked full armament and the single cockpit. To cover the gap for the second seat, it came with a very unusual decal. Some modifications were necessary to convert it into a proper F-15A.

GALERIA

Model Necomisa Monogram, originally painted with Gunze, repaired with Old Marine, brush codes, Monogram sheet insignia, represents an aircraft based on the Misot AFB