This model was made from the A-7E from Heller, which I converted to the P version. This version used by the Portuguese Air Force is no more no less than the A-7A but with better avionics.

Since this model is from Heller it needed some work on the cockpit and on the nose landing gear. To start I added the ejection handle on the ejection seat and made the joystick from stretched sprue. I cut the end of the engine air entrance tunnel and placed an image that I printed of a turbo-fan, so that when the model was completed you could see a "real" turbo fan. The idea came because when I was building this model I had recently been in Monte Real nr.5 Air Base (home base of the F-16's and A-7's). I had the opportunity to be side-by-side with this particular aircraft and I remembered quite well of the engine air entrance tunnel....soo, I decided to make the same thing on the model.

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I also had to make the cockpit floor and "wall" that is behind the ejection seat. This was accomplished by cutting to shape bits of  plastic from butter boxes. I used the same thing to make the nose landing gear housing.

The A-7's were removed from active duty in 1999 and this A-7 was painted specifically to make the honors of the end of the A-7's career with the Portuguese Air Force.

The model was completely hand painted, at the time I made it I didn't have an airbrush so I painted it with a nr.6 brush.

The decals are from Santa Cruz decals and for painting I used LifeColor acrylic paints. 

I have a website where you can see lots of pictures of the Portuguese A-7:

www.hangarvirtualfap.com.sapo.pt

Any questions or doubts just e-mail me.

João

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