Subject: Re: ARC Gallery Submission
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Bradley" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 12:11:29 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bradley 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:18 AM
  Subject: ARC Gallery Submission

  Gallery Template #03

  "1/72 Italeri Vought A-7E Corsair II" 

  by "Bradley White"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  Kia Ora from New Zealand. This is my first ARC submission (sounds familiar doesn't it?). This is the Italeri 1/72 Vought A-7E Corsair II built OOB apart from a few mods, listed as below:

  Mk 81 250lb bombs + MER sourced from Hasegawa weapons set.

  GBU-10 from Italeri weapons set (out of production I think).

  Shackles for GBU-10 from 1/72 F4U-4 (another Corsair, funny that).

  Ejection seat - Tamiya tape harness's, fusewire used for buckles/ejector handles etc

  Console + dash decals from Fujimi A-4M, control columb from spares box.

  Gunsight parts from stock sheet + spares box (kitbash).

  I enjoyed building this kit as there aern't many parts and the shape is pleasing to the eye (if you can call the SLUF pleasing). I'm not a rivet counter so don't measure up to scale drawings (okay sometimes I do). I must comment though as to the cockpit rear bulkhead not meeting flush with the fuselage. A 1mm gap is evident in places so needed filling, tedious.

  It took a bit of work in places especially with the fuselage seam as the parts don't have the greatest alignment but nothing a little twink (typewrite correction fluid), putty and a bit of elbow grease can't cure. Wing's are a bit misaligned and the landing gear is on a lean, stand back a few feet and it's not noticeable. 

  I originally painted this kit as a Vietnam bird from VA-147 "Argonauts" with humbrol paints Hu127 & Hu34 but didn't do the best job (the white got contaminated and turned off white - gah). After a few months of procrastination I stripped it back with SC Johnsons Mr Muscle (god bless you ARC Tips & Tricks) and after fixing up faults, resprayed the kit as a Gulf War version from VA-86 "Sidewinders".  Humbrol Hu127 and I was very pleased with the finish at the end, even sprayed the compas grey walks on the vertical stabilisers and top fuselage.

  Weathering was applied by doing a panel wash with acrylic artists paints, raw umber and coal black mixed. Wiping back in the direction of airflow gave an effective worn appearance to my SLUF. I lightened Hu127 a little and sprayed patches in area's around the airframe to simulate the anti-corrosion work undertaken by groundcrew.

  With all done I attached the pylons + weapons, jet exhaust, ejection sea, canopy and landing gear etc. Wearing a white glove (Tea is served m'lady) to prevent contamination of the finish.

  I was very pleased with the end result as the Corsair II is one of my favourite combat aircraft. My niche is for the "chunky" types from the likes of Vought, Republic, Hawker, Focke Wulf, Nakajima etc. (Not to say I don't do the Spitfires, Phantoms and Messerschmitts).

  I now have to buy another one, maybe two, so I can do the original scheme for my "Nam" collection.

  Click on images below to see larger images

         Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 02.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 02.jpg   Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg  

  Photos and text © by "Bradley White"