A-7E Corsair II

by Don Weixl

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

My 1/72 scale Airfix A-7E took me over 20 years to build. No, it wasn't that difficult of a kit, but I did get a career started, build a model railroad and get married in between starting and finishing this project.

I was hot and heavy into scale modelling when I started this project in 1979. I had graduated to detailing cockpits, opening canopies etc, and thought this kit could use some extras.

I used the Squadron A-7 "In Action" book as my main reference.

Back in the late 1970's resin and photo etch detailing parts were not common, so scratch building was the only way to go. The cockpit received a rear bulkhead, side consoles and additional seat details. The canopy was cut with a razor saw to allow it to be shown in the open position. I opened the electronic panel and made the "black boxes" from pieces of styrene. I also opened up the ladder hatches and dropped the slats. This is when the project ground to a halt.

Fast forward to 2000 and a renewed interest in the hobby thanks to a friend lending me a stack of Tamiya Modeller Magazines. I vowed to build all of the models that I had started back in College before starting any new kits (didn't happen!). I discovered the use of Future and scribing recessed panel lines. I chickened out rescribing the fuselage as I had already glued it together.

Microscale (now Superscale) provided the decals for the VA-25 CAG aircraft, which is shown in the A- 7 In Action book.

Although a pretty crude kit by today's standards, the 1/72 Airfix A-7 has nice wheels, a realistic intake trunk and is inexpensive.

I am pleased that mine got finished and it looks nice and shiny in my display case.

 

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2003 by Don Weixl
Page Created 11 March, 2003
Last Updated 17 March, 2004

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