Thursday, January 1, 2015

F-15A No. 71-0289 Chase Plane

 

Scan 1147  This is F-15A-4-MC-71-0289. This tenth F-15A first flew on 16 January 1974 and was used as a radar, electronic warfare and avionics test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. After its use at EAFB and Eglin Air Force Base, it returned to St. Louis for chase plane use in a blue and white paint scheme. It was a frequent sight on the MDC ramp. Notice that this aircraft never had a test boom. Also, I have included some great photos from R. Ray Leader showing 0289 while at Eglin Air Force Base with and without it’s flight test paint scheme.

Click here to view 71-0289 photos

Click here to see the F-15A-4-MC-71-0283 chase plane

at 12:50 AM

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Ron, any idea where 71-0289 might be located today (9 SEP 19)? Thanks for publishing the legacy of the Mighty Eagle, I love learning about the McAir history.

September 9, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Aviation Archives said...

McDonnell Douglas F-15A-4-MC Eagle
0287 MSN 0009/A008. First flight Aug 25, 1973 at St Louis, MO.
Used as the trials aircraft for spin recovery and angle of attack trials and fuel system testing
Assigned to the combined McDD/USAF F-15 Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB, 1973 to Nov75
Assigned to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards AFB, CA, Jan 5, 1976
Registered as NASA 835. Allocated civil registration N835NA in July 2001.
Used for research into the F100 EMD (Engine Model Derivative).
Used to test the Advanced Digital Engine Control System (ADECS).
Used in the HIDEC program (Highly Integrated Digital Engine Controls).
Used to test the Self Repairing Flight Control System (SRFCS)
Redesigned 1991 to be part of the Performance Seeking Control (PCS) program. The program main function
was to optimize engine performance and assure safe operation of the power plants through digital monitoring
of failures and digital control of the inlets, nozzles and flight control sections.
Used as a Landing/Maneuvering Technology Demonstrator (L/MTD) for testing emerging technologies for
suitability to the USAF’s Advance Tactical Fighter program.
Last noted in active use in May 1993, noted stored at Edwards AFB (CA) in October 2006.
0288 MSN 0010/A009. First flight Oct 20, 1973 at St Louis, MO.
Used as the trials aircraft for integrated aircraft and engine performance
Assigned to the combined McDD/USAF F-15 Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB, 1973 to Nov 1982
Bailed to McDonnell Douglas, later Boeing, as a test aircraft Jan 1986 to Jan 1991.
0289 MSN 0011/A010. First flight Jan 16, 1974 at St Louis, MO
Used as the trials aircraft for radar, avionics and tactical electronic warfare systems
Assigned to the combined McDD/USAF F-15 Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB
Assigned to 586th Flight Test Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM Oct97 to Aug00

September 9, 2019 at 3:15 PM

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