I own the FB F-15 and have owned one of the first SM F-15's. They are identical in size and design. IMHO you want to steer clear of the taileron version. The aileron version is much more responsive and you don't feel like you are moving the ailerons and waiting for it to turn. The FB model came with preinstalled gear doors and cylinder, and the tubing was attached to the cylinder, that was great. It took only a few hours to get it ready to fly. It also came out lighter that the SM version (albeit I had one of the early models, so I am only speaking on terms of what I had, I do not know how the newer version compares). The gear in the SM and FB versions look and feel identical. The paint on the FB model i s excellent, I have the camo version and it is better than I could have done for the money. I am still waiting to fly the FB model, but it feels like it will fly just fine, given the weight and the fact that it did not need any weight in the nose to balance it. I have installed a WrenSS so I do not know if it will be enough (18 pounds of thrust) I have had some folks tell me that 18 is not enough. I have a P-80 which I may swap in to the F-15 prior to the maiden just to make sure.
For the moeny I do not think you could go wrong with the FB model, especially if you buy it with the gear door package.
Tommy