SPA Modeler

I was not aware that the intakes on the F 15 were movable. I knew there was a ramp in the intake that moved depending on airspeed. I ran across this photo with the intakes lowered.



Looking at more walkarounds, and paying closer attention, I see several 15's with the intakes down. One picture I saw of a taxiing 15 had one up and one down. I looked at the build instructions for the 1/32 Tamiya F 15E and the intakes are able to pivot. I learn something every day. That's a good thing.

I never knew intakes pivot on F-15s either. Who knew???? Nice observation.

I didn´t know that the museum at Speyer now has an F-15... Really about time to go to a visit there again!

I knew they pivoted; then again I live at Eglin AFB where they were tested and later based so I saw a lot of these in my youth. I just don't remember why they made them that way....

They pivot down at lower speeds and when taxing. The variable-geometry air intakes moving according to the aircraft speed and enging throttle settings to dump excess air and prevent engine surge (got the from the internets). I believe that angle of attack is factored in as well.

I'm pleased that I'm not the only one who didn't realize the intakes pivoted. After I posted I went through my F 15 files and found lots of pictures with intakes down. I felt that I had made an ignorant post. Thanks for covering for me.

Yes I think I first noticed that feature many years ago at an air show at Edwards AFB. I should still have the photo somewhere....

Hmmm... I often wondered if anyone did build an F-15 kit with intakes down.

Since were on subject of intakes capable of pivoting, do F-14 Tomcats intakes pivot as well? Methinks they don't since their swept wings has its benefits in engaging the enemy aircraft in a dogfight..

I think that Academy's 1/48 F-15 kits have that option of intake position.

The F-14 has a ramp on the upper inner face that changes position to adjust airflow. Just as the F-4 phantom has that ramp on the face on the inlet that is mounted along the fuselage. Variable intakes are a necessity once aircraft start getting into the Mach 2 performance range. Ramps, cones, etc. adjust to allow in the proper amount of air. But those are also elements of radar cross section. The B-1 lost its variable intakes to reduce RCS, and lost top speed as a result, in the B-1B redesign.

I did some checking online and Academy 1/48 F-15's do offer 2 position intakes.