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Burner Friday: Boeing F-15D Eagle

November 28, 2014
Jonathan Derden 3 Comments Photos

A Boeing F-15D Eagle from the 390 FS pulls into the vertical during a “quick climb” departure.

The F-15 is a twin engine, high performance, all weather air superiority fighter. First flown in July 1972, the Eagle entered USAF inventory in November 1974. It was the first U.S. fighter to have engine thrust greater than the normal takeoff weight of the aircraft, allowing it to accelerate while in a vertical climb. This, combined with low wing loading, makes the Eagle highly maneuverable–and especially dangerous in a vertical fight.

In fact, in 1975, a single-seat F-15A called “Streak Eagle” broke a total of eight time-to-climb world records in a two-week period in January and February. In setting the last of the eight records, the Eagle 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.

The record still stands.

The “Wild Boars,” though no longer flying the Mighty Boeing F-15, still exist today as the 390 Electronic Combat Squadron, flying the Boeing EA-18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.

About the Author

Jonathan Derden is an Airline Transport Rated-pilot with a regional airline in the mid-Atlantic region. Chair flying since being spoon fed as a child, Jonathan is a graduate of the aviation program at Jacksonville University and has been an airline pilot since 2007. When he's not flying for work, he's traversing the planet in search of the next opportunity as an aviation photojournalist. Jonathan began his photographic pursuits as a teenager while learning how to use his father's camera at a local general aviation airport, and has since broadened his horizons to include and now focuses on military aviation.

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