AIRFIX 1:72 A-7E CORSAIR II

Reviewer: John Hall  (rec.models.scale)

The A-7E variant is really only the major US Navy revamp of the USAF A-7D with upgraded engine and radar.  The Corsair is a subsonic attack aircraft for the US (and other countries) air regiments.  It was based loosely on it's fighter comrade the F-8 Crusader and to the untrained eye the aircraft look very similar.  But of course the A-7 is a much different aircraft and has proven itself to be one of the most accurate strike aircraft ever built (in bombing and gunnery competitions).  It saw action in the Gulf Air and back in 1986 off the coast of Libya.  The last two remaining squadrons of the A-7E variant that took part in Desert Storm can be found on US aircraft carriers patrolling the Persian Gulf.

Since there is little difference exteriorly between the A-7D and A-7E you can also reproduce the former variant with this kit.  Having done a little bit of research I have uncovered that this kit was released back in the late 70's at around the same time the A-7E variant was announced.  Airfix states that both variants can be reproduced, but I soon found that this is a little bit misleading.  While the kit tries to cater for both D and E variants, it is most accurate with the USN -E version and while there is little difference between the two externally, the undercarriage is quite distinctive, obviously rigged for carrier landings on the E model.  This kit provides only the undercarriage that would be used on the USN aircraft, so if you are trying to construct a D model, this area won't be accurate.

The parts are typical late 70's Airfix with raised panel lines and a reasonable amount of detail but not what you would expect from a kit of today's standard.  Interior detail is very sparse with just a figure, seat, small instrument panel and base to make up the cockpit.  The mold quality is not fantastic either, its injected light grey plastic with numerous sink marks is soft, but if you used to kits from Airfix around this era, you'll know what to expect.

Construction is not completely smooth sailing, you will need a bit of putty on hand to help join the fuselage and wing roots properly as these areas are a bit of a nuisance.   The most diffcult part is constructing the two-piece Corsair intakes.  These are split horizontally with your cockpit aligned on the top unit and the nosewheel on the bottom unit.  If you can get these to align and seam correctly first go, you are a genius.  I had a lot of trouble with this part and while on the finished product it is more or less hidden, you can still see that something is not quite right.  Other than that the construction was relatively straight forward.

For weapons you get a decent selection which includes a stack of bombs and a few sidewinders.  They are a bit crude but once painted and touched up by an experienced modelmaker they look fine.  The decals on the otherhand are not very good quality and it might be worth getting aftermarket replacements.  If you decide to go ahead with these be careful and patient.  You get two examples to make - VA-146 and 355 TFW which are obviously suited for the variant you choose to build.

In spite of the extra work this was quite a simple kit to build and wouldn't take long if you didn't have to worry about a few minor fit problems.  Overall I think its accuracy is questionable and this reminds me bit of a Matchbox attempt to an otherwise great aircraft.  If you are only after a simple, cheap kit that requires a little bit of attention then this Airfix offering will fit the bill.  But if you want something that is accurate and more challenging then you best look elsewhere.

Related Reviews: Testor 1/72 A-7E Corsair II

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