McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle Fighter Aircraft “76-0111, 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron” United States Air Force “Air Power Series” 1/72 Diecast Model by Hobby Master

Product Description

HISTORY ASPECTS:
The F-15A Eagle 76-0111 of the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), USAF, holds a unique place in aviation history as the only aircraft to successfully destroy a satellite in space using an air-launched missile. Assigned to McChord Air Force Base in Washington, 76-0111 was selected for the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) program in the mid-1980s, a top-secret initiative aimed at demonstrating the United States’ capability to intercept and destroy enemy satellites during the Cold War. Equipped with the ASM-135 ASAT missile, the F-15A was specially modified to carry out this mission, including upgrades to its targeting systems and structural enhancements for high-altitude flight.
On September 13, 1985, Major Wilbert “Doug” Pearson piloted 76-0111 to over 38,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean near Vandenberg Air Force Base. At a steep 65-degree climb and traveling at Mach 1.22, he launched the ASM-135 missile, which successfully intercepted and destroyed the decommissioned Solwind P78-1 satellite orbiting over 300 miles above Earth. This event marked the first and only time a fighter aircraft achieved a kinetic kill against a satellite, demonstrating a powerful and controversial capability in space warfare. The test sent a strong strategic message during the Cold War and raised international concerns about the militarization of space.
Although the ASAT program was eventually shelved due to arms control concerns and diplomatic pressure, the legacy of 76-0111 and its historic mission endures. The aircraft continued to serve with the 318th FIS in a more traditional air defense role before eventually being retired. Today, the feat achieved by this Eagle represents a rare convergence of aerospace engineering, precision, and geopolitical tension—a moment when the limits of fighter jet capability reached into space itself.
This 1:72 scale model complete with its ASM-135 anti-satellite missile, is a striking tribute to one of the most extraordinary missions in U.S. Air Force history. Meticulously detailed with accurate squadron markings and weapon configuration, it’s a must-have for collectors and aviation enthusiasts fascinated by Cold War technology and aerospace innovation. Celebrate the only jet to ever shoot down a satellite with this one-of-a-kind display piece.