I got my Trumpeter A-7E delivered yesterday. I have to say, I am very impressed. This has got to be the best release from Trumpeter to date. The recessed panel lines are very “To scale”. The kit also contains a lot of parts for the A-7D.
The only thing I didn’t like about the kit was the selection of weapons. Every thing is pre 1975. There are also weapons that were carried on the AF A-7D included with the kit. A very nice feature is the weapons decals. They will really dress up the weapons. There are some mistakes on the decals though. The AGM 84E shows it as a CATM which stands for Captive Air Training Missile. The decals include the yellow and brown stripes which would go only on a live missile, which would make it a AGM 84. The GBU-8 colors were used only on the test GBU’s. When used in combat they were painted OD all over. The sidewinders are refered to as AIM-9B’s but are actually the later AIM-9D, G, or H.
Oh, and by looking at the box, I see where the US Navy has a new ship. It is named the USS A-7E Corsair “II”[:D]
berny13…I’m glad you sound excited about the big A-7. I’m looking forward to building one myself. If you’re interested, check out Ed Kinney’s on-line build on the IPMS US website.
I saw the kit at the LHS & got to peek in the box. Looks very impresssive. I don’t build many aircraft more modern than WWII vintage, but it was tempting.
The cockpit looks very good. The instrument panel in the D and E are different and the correct film and panel is supplied for the Navy E.
My observation of the kit using Detail and Scale Vol. 22 as reference. I haven’t test fitted any parts or read any reviews on the kit. This is only my un official review.
Cockpit. I am sure Black Box or some one will release a resin tub, but I plan on using the kit supplied CP. It is very well detailed and looks very good. The seat is very basic and lacks detail. I would go for an AM seat. The canopy is a four part assembly. The PE part is nice but still lacks the latch down hooks and control rods. I am sure someone will release a PE set to dress it up. The cockpit sill has no detail at all but a PE set will also help that. The glare shield will need a little work in the form of lights and control buttons directly under it. I am not sure if they can be seen once everything is insatlled though.
Nose wheel well. The addition of hydraulic lines and wireing harness is all that is needed. You have a choice of a metal or plastic nose strut and both look like they are strong enough to support the model. The strut has to be completely built and then installed in the well. That could present a problem. The nose wheels and tires are the correct type for the Navy E.
Main wheel wells. Very good. Lots of add on detail and looks like the real thing. Again you have a choice of plastic or metal struts. Both look strong enough to hold the model. I don’t like the idea of using a plastic pin to hold the metal struts together and plan on making a pin out of metal. The correct style Navy wheels are included.
Left and right electronic and equipment bays. It would be a shame to display the model with these closed up. They are very well detailed and look great. There is even a ram air turbine (RAT) for the right side. The left side forward bay does not have the liquid oxygen converter (LOX). It will be simple to make a LOX bottle using Milliput and fine wire. There is space to install it with no problem.
Speed brake. Inside of the speed brake has lots of deep ejector marks and will have to be filled in. The way the instructions show the SB in the open position, it looks like they are full open. If so the model will not be able to set on its gear. I am going to display mine just cracked open without all of the linkage installed. You wouldn’t be able to see the linkage any how.
Horizontal stab. The mounting pin looks short and weak. I am going to install a metal rod to make sure it doesn’t break off.
Fuselage. The fuselage is correct for the Navy E with all the proper panels, doors , ECM antennas, IFR probe, bumps and warts in place. If Trump releases a USAF D, I hope they include a left and right fuselage that will match the D. This fuselage can not be used on the D without a lot of modification.