F-15 Eagle Makes Its Final Nest at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Published Sept. 25, 2008 FORD ISLAND, Hawaii -- At the turn of the century, after more than 25 years of service, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was still the U.S. Air Force's premier fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority. At a top speed of 2.5 times the speed of sound, the F-15 Eagle was the first U.S. fighter to be able to accelerate while in a vertical climb to 65,000 feet. The Eagle's air superiority is not all brawn but brains as well. The F-15's advanced avionics, range and weaponry, along with sport's car maneuverability allowed one person to perform air-to-air combat using its advanced systems to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft. The first F-15A was produced in July 1972, culminating one of the most successful aircraft development and procurement programs in Air Force history. The first aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in November 1974. In January 1976, the first Eagle destined for a combat squadron was delivered to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.. After twenty years of service, the F-15A was reassigned from active duty Air Force to Air National Guard units. By that time more than 1,200 Eagles were in service; most were built by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Mo. but more than 110 were built by Mitsubishi of Japan at a cost of US$27.9 million each. F-15A number 76-0063, is a priceless addition to the Pacific Aviation Museum's collection of historic aircraft. It was delivered to the USAF in 1977 and assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. It flew with the 8th and 9th Fighter Squadrons of the 49th TFW at Holloman where it served as the 'Wing Flagship' and had painted on its fuselage "City of Alomogordo.' When the 49th TFW transitioned to the F-117, 76-0063 was transferred to the Hawaii Air National Guard in June 1992. TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: One M61A1 20-mm Vulcan cannon, four AIM-7 Sparrows and four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, plus 15,000 lbs. of mixed ordnance carried externally Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofans of 25,000 lbs. thrust each Crew: One Maximum speed: Over 1,600 mph (Mach 2.5) Range: 3,450 statute miles with external tanks 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 Date: Arrival: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Approx. 9:00a.m. Adjacent to Ford Island Ferry Pier Museum General Admission: $14, adults; $7, children. Kama`aina and Military admission: $10 adults; $5, children. Admission is free to Museum members and Military in uniform. More information is available by phone at 441-1000 or www.PacificAviationMuseum.org. Pacific Aviation Museum is located at 319 Lexington Boulevard in Hangar 37 on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor.