The superiority of air power achieved by the United States of course cannot be separated from the glorious achievements in the past. And as a tribute to fighters from the World War II era, an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, is decorated with special paint to honor World War II heritage.
From nose to tail, the F-15E Strike Eagle's heritage paint job offers homage to the fighter's historic lineage that traces back to the 4th Fighter Wing in World War II.
The website airandspaceforces.com mentions that the most striking heritage paint job is a portrait on the inside face of the right tail depicting the famous Ace Colonel Donald Blakeslee, he is believed by many to have flown more missions and hours in World War II than any airplane pilot. other American fighter and is credited with 17 aerial victories.
Blakeslee set the first air-to-air kill record in a P-47 Thunderbolt and flew escort on the first bombing mission over Berlin. Under his command, the 4th Fighter Wing destroyed over 1,000 German aircraft.
On the outside of the left tail, just above the tail code, the jet displays the insignia of the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons, recognizing the American volunteers who flew the aircraft in the early days of World War II before the US finally entered the war against Germany. These squadrons eventually became the 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group.
Other historic references in the paint scheme include a flaming spear which is meant to represent "the performance of the 4th Fighter Wing in World War II and how the 4th Fighter Wing today serves as the 'spearhead' for the United States Air Force."
Just below the cockpit is the blue and yellow National Star Emblem used by the 4th Fighter Group during the war. And by the nose, there is the cartoon “fighting eagle” that appeared on the historic plane of Aces William Dunn and Don Gentile.
Finally, its green and gray camouflage pattern pays homage to the group Supermarine Spitfires, which flew from September 1942 to March 1943. In fact, it took the S4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron more than a month to complete the complex painting scheme, which made its debut on April 25, 2023.
Four other flagships, namely for the 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadron—each with their own references and tributes, will also be on display at the Wings over Wayne Airshow open to the public on Seymour Johnson May 20-21, 2023.
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