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.
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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
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