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How to Identify F-15 Fighter Planes

The F-15 fighter jet, as well as all its variants, can be easily recognized if you know what to look for. With many distinct characteristics, the iconic F-15 can be spotted and effectively identified at a distance. As all the F-15 variants incorporated the same unique styling cues, following these guidelines will help you in the identification of any of the variants. Although these planes are up to 25 years old, they are still in current usage around the world.

Things You'll Need

Bincoculars

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the main wing shape. F-15s incorporate triangular, rear swept wings that begin just behind the cockpit and have a straight trailing edge, perpendicular to the fuselage.
- 2
  Identify the vertical stabilizers. F-15s have two parallel stabilizers that are mounted perpendicular to the fuselage, and not at an angle. There are also noticeable probes that extend forward on the upper edge of each vertical stabilizer.
- 3
  Identify the horizontal stabilizers. They will protrude behind the engines in a flat triangular shape, in-line directly behind the main wings.
- 4
  Identify the air intake manifolds. There are two on F-15s: one on either side of the fuselage, just under the cockpit; they are box type, with a distinctive downward angle.
- 5
  Identify the cockpit. The cockpit glass will be the highest point on the fuselage, with the nose of the aircraft coming to a point ahead of and lower than the cockpit bubble.
- 6
  Look for two fuel tanks held under each wing, parallel to either side of the fuselage.
- 7
  Notice the distinctive, two separate exhausts at the rear of the plane, placed side by side.

Aviation