Subject: Re: A-7E Corsair submission
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Keith Money" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:25:23 -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: Keith Money 
  To: Steve Bamford ARC 
  Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2007 6:11 AM
  Subject: A-7E Corsair submission

  "1/32 A-7E Corsair II" 

  by "Keith Money"
  --------------------

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

  A summary of the 1/32nd scale Trumpeter A-7E build.

  FWhen you open the box it all looks good, lots of parts, metal undercarriage, rubber tyres, photo-etch and enough weapons to wage a one-man war.  The parts are moulded in a god quality, light-grey plastic with finely engraved panel lines.  Closer inspection reveals that the leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps and ailerons can be positioned up or down - the rudder is also a separate item.  The under belly air-brake can also be shown open or closed.

  The kit is not perfect though and the unknowing modeller could end up making a few mistakes just by following the instructions.   Firstly, the kit includes two kinds of ejector seat, the Stencil and Escapac.  Unfortunately, the instructions make no mention of the Escapac and provide assembly instructions for the Stencil seat that only appeared during the 1980's on some aircraft.   If you wish to model a Vietnam A-7E or colourful 1970's aircraft then you need the Escapac seat.  Aires makes two types of replacement cockpits, early and late.  These are very good and recommended. 

  Click on images below to see larger images

        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 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Things under wings included in the kit:

  AGM-65 Mavericks missiles and triple launchers (LAU-88).

  AGM-45 Shrike missiles and launchers (LAU-118).

  M117 750lb bombs.

  Mk 82 500lb slick bombs.

  Mk 82 500lb Snakeye bombs.

  (normal fuses and extended fuses included).

  HOBOS TV GBU-8/B guided bombs.

  Laser guided bombs GBU-10 Paveway II (2,000lb).

  AGM-84E Harpoon (SLAM) missiles.

  AGM-88 HARM missiles.

  AGM-62 (I) Walleye guided bombs (No data-link pod)

  AGM-12(B) Bullpup missiles.

  Multiple Ejector Racks.

  Triple Ejector Racks.

  AIM-9D Sidewinders.

  LAU-7 rails.

  Drop tanks.

  FLIR pod

  This is where is gets a bit confusing and you could end up building a Vietnam era aircraft with the wrong weapons mounted on it.  The following weapons in the kit were used in Vietnam by the US Navy on A-7E's(up until 1975):

  AGM-12B Bullpup

  AGM-45 Shrike 

  AGM-62 Walleye 

  AIM-9D Sidewinder

  Mk 82 bombs (slick and snakeye)

          
        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here  

  The following are  not used on the US Navy A-7E:

  1).  AGM-65 Maverick missiles and triple launchers (LAU-88).

  USAF and Marines used these before the US Navy ordered the 'F' version for the F/A-18Horne in the early 1990's.  Even then the LAU-88 (triple launcher) is not used and the AGM-65F is carried singularly on a LAU-117.

  2).  AGM-84E (Harpoon) SLAM missiles.

  AGM-84 Harpoon missiles were first deployed for use in 1979 for P-3 Orions, S-3 Vikings, the AGM-84E SLAM version by F/A-18 Hornets and A-6 Intruders in the late 1980's..

  3).  GBU-8/B HOBOS 2000lb bombs.

  Used by the USAF.

  4).  M117 750lb bombs.

  USAF - the US Navy has the Mk 83 750lb bomb.

  Lastly.  The FLIR pod was only made available to 273 A-7E's - certainly not early 1970's aircraft.

   

  Other inaccuracies/problems:

  The AGM-45 Shrike missiles look wrong; this is because the front fins are located too close to the rear.  They will need removing and replaced with card further forward along the missile body.

  LAU-7 launchers for the sidewinders are pretty crude by today's standards - they are the wrong shape as well.  

  Drop tanks are the wrong shape, far too pointed, long and thin.  They also have far too thick strengthening bands around them.  The AIM-9D Sidewinders also suffer from this over-scale banding.

  The wheels are incorrect in design and suffer from a poor fit, these are best replaced with the third-party bulged variety.

  Kit decals list the VA-82 aircraft's pilot, as a Col. Which is not a US Navy rank.  It is however a US Marine Corps rank and the rules of the US Navy allowed for a certain number CAG commanders to be Marine Corps pilots above or equal to the equivalent rank of Captain.   

  The list goes on and the instructions make no mention that early aircraft (Vietnam era) did not have the lower avionics bulge behind the main wheels.   Also, that the side running cable trunking located along the mid-lower fuselage came in a bit later. The open avionics bays are not accurate and best replaced/updated using Eduard's etched set.  The RAT is also inaccurate and needs attention to make it appear realistic.  

  Photos and text © by "Keith Money"