McDonnell Douglas F-15 in flight. Note the tail decals have been removed in preparation for the record flights. (Air friction would have burned them off!) (U.S. Air Force photo)
The single-seat F15A on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, nicknamed "Streak Eagle," broke eight time-to-climb world records between Jan. 16 and Feb. 1, 1975. In setting the last of the eight records, it reached an altitude of 98,425 feet just 3 minutes, 27.8 seconds from brake release at takeoff and "coasted" to nearly 103,000 feet before descending. It was flown in its natural metal finish to reduce weight for the record-setting flights. To protect it from corrosion, McDonnell Douglas Corp. has since painted it in the gray color scheme of most operational F-15s.
Streak Eagle is an early preproduction aircraft. Differences in internal structure and systems operation made it too costly to return to operational service. It was delivered to the museum in December 1980 after it was no longer useful as a flight test vehicle.
Type
Number built/
converted
Remarks
F-15A
384
365 to USAF
F-15B
61
59 to USAF
F-15C
482
409 to USAF
F-15D
93
61 to USAF
F-15E
215*
Through FY96
Notes:
- 19 F-15A to Israel
- 10 YF-15As produced
- 2 F-15B to Israel
- 2 YF-15Bs produced
- 1 YF-15B became YF-15E
- 18 F-15C to Israel
- 55 F-15C to Saudi Arabia
- 13 F-15D to Israel
- 19 F-15D to Saudi Arabia
- 20 F-15DJ built in Japan
- 25 F-15I (F-15E) to Israel
- 2 F-15J to Japan
- 72 F-15S to Saudi Arabia
TECHNICAL NOTES (F-15A): Armament: One 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, four AIM-7 Sparrow and four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, plus 15,000 lbs. mixed ordnance carried externally; none on Streak Eagle flights Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofans of 25,000 lbs. thrust each Maximum speed: Plus 1,600 mph Range: 3,450 miles with external fuel tanks Service ceiling: 65,000 ft. Span: 42 ft. 9 3/4 in. Length: 63 ft. 9 in. Height: 18 ft. 7 1/2 in. Weight: 56,000 lbs. maximum
