1/72 Fujimi LTV A-7E Corsair II

Gallery Article by Eric BADE on July 2 2010

 

LTV A-7E Corsair II – Greek Air Force

For a long time I've wanted to build another Corsair II.  My previous builds were quite dated and were based on the very similar Esci A-7D and E toolings.   My original plan was to build a low viz US NAVY machine, but after seeing some photos of still flying Greek machines, and also because I was able to put my hand on an appropriate Icarus decals sheet I decided to go the Mediterranean way.

Besides and for some reasons I had never tried the famous SEA scheme on any of my models before and I just wanted to practice.

I love small cockpits and the information of the release of the Aires cockpit set was received with pleasure.  I later received a confirmation that the Aires perfectly cast little 1/72nd scale cockpits can be a nightmare to insert into the plastic fuselage of some kits. The net result is very good and there is no denying that these sets vastly improve models.  But if they could be easier to enclose!  Heavy sanding, thinning, filing was exercised.

 A few details were added in the wheel wells with photo etched parts or stretched sprue.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The Fujimi kit is quite old now.  Some filling was necessary in some places.  Some airframe details and antennas were added with stretched sprue or plastic card.  Sanding and polishing followed to prepare surfaces before painting.

I painted with Gunze acrylic paints throughout, spraying freehand.  Base colours first, straight out of the bottles.  I then started to use mixes of darker and lighter shades as Greek aircraft tend to weather a lot.  The Icarus decals are very good and I used them on my model with no problem at all.  After some research I decided I’d build aircraft 160556.

After decals were applied, panel lines were enhanced with a wash of black oil paint. Altered camo colours were sprayed in touch ups to refine the weathering effects.   

Final details were added at this stage.  Greek A-7Es are very similar  to US NAVY A-7Es (they actually are former US NAVY machines contrary to the original A-7Hs with were built for the GAF).  One of the main external differences between Greek and US A-7Es is that Greek machines lack the tow bar on the front landing gear strut and main wheel braking system is reinforced for land operations, hence USAF main wheel hub types.  Cutting tow bar is easy, while main gear wheels are stolen from an old Airfix A-7.

Canopy aspect is improved with the addition of some photo etched details before being finally cemented onto model to complete a new rewarding modeling project.

Eric BADE

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Eric BADE