Tamiya 1/100 A-7D Corsair II, previewed by Rick Reinbott.

KIT:	Tamiya 1/100 L.T.V. A-7A Corsair II
KIT #:	Combat Plane Series No. 7
PRICE:	$8.50
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Rick Reinbott
NOTES:	63 parts on 4 sprues; 1 clear on one sprue

Though derived from the Crusader, the Vought A-7 Corsair II was a totally different aircraft. By restricting performance to high subsonic speed, structure weight was reduced, range dramatically increased and weapon load multiplied by about four. Designed to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, development was outstandingly quick, as was production. Vought built 199 A-7A, used in action for the first time on December 3, 1967, with VA-147 Argonauts aboard USS Ranger, followed by 196 B models. The C designation was used for the first 67 E models which retained the TF30 engine. In 1966 the Corsair II was adopted by the US Air Force, with the A-7D having the superior TF41 engine, Gatling gun and more complex avionics for blind or automatic weapon delivery under all conditions, with head-up display and inertial/Doppler navigation.

By late 1975 over 380 had been delivered, with reduced production continuing. The Navy adopted the same model, with an even more powerful TF41, and by late 1975 about 490 E models had been built, bringing output to well over 1,250 within a decade. Vought funded development of a tandem-seat YA-4H, and later converted 40 B and C into the dual TA-7C. The A-7 also saw action in Grenada (1983), Lebanon, (1983), Libya (1986), Operation Praying Mantis (Persian Gulf - 1988), Operation Just Cause (Panama -1989), and Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1991). Besides the USA, the Corsair II was also operated by Greece, Portugal and Thailand.

Upon opening the box, you’re presented with four collectively bagged, medium-gray colored sprues containing a total of sixty-three (63) parts. Inside this large bag are two smaller bags, with one containing a clear closed-canopy and the other being a metal ball-weight to be inserted in the nose of the fuselage so as to keep the model from being sitting on its tail. The plastic is thick with engraved panel lines. Most of the parts contain some flash, although it is kept to a minimum. Ejector pin marks are present on the weapons pylons and some of the gear doors.

The cockpit is very sparse and contains just a seat. The wheel wells are boxed in but don’t have any detail molded in. The wings are each one piece and fit into slots molded into the fuselage halves. A nice array of ordnance is included which includes drop tanks, two sidewinder missiles and bombs that look like the Mk. 82 500 lb. type. There are holes and corresponding pins for all the parts, including ordnance, making it easy to keep everything in alignment. The clear canopy piece is a little thick, although the framing is well defined and should be easy to paint. Options are provided to display the model on its landing gear or in-flight.

The instructions are well laid out, with the construction being broken down into 3 parts. The painting guide contains numbers for Tamiya Paint colors. Markings are provided for two aircraft; which are:

Both aircraft feature the standard US Navy Light Gray over Insignia White paint scheme. The decals, although perhaps a little thick, are well printed.

One of the kit’s sprues indicates the dates 1968 and 2004, so this model has been around for quite some time! That being said, this looks to be fun, quick build that will look nice in your display and won’t take up too much room either. And even in this small of a scale, just the large size of the A-7 will ensure that the model will be noticed.