Print Scale 72160:  US Navy A-7 Corsair II part 1

For those of us who like to model somewhat 'modern' jets (modern to someone who was born in the middle of last century), US Navy planes from about 1955 until the mid to late 1980s are undoubtedly some of the most colorful 'standard' schemes that we have seen. The A-7 Corsair II was particuilarly well suited to colorful markings with its large vertical stabilizer, so it is not surprising that this aircraft is a bit of a favorite.

Thanks to at least two fairly nice kits from ESCI/AMT/Italeri and Fujimi (also boxed by Testors), along with one with a serious intake issue by Hoby Boss and the even older ones from Airfix, Revell and Hasegawa, there are no lack of kits for the fan of the type,

This should mean a ton of aftermarket decals, and while at first there were oodles of them from Microscale/Superscale, it has become somewhat difficult to locate any in 1/72 scale with the low viz marking being particularly difficult to locate.

This sheet from the Russian company Print Scale has markings for four light gull grey over white planes from the 1960s and 1970s. All except one would have had the upper grey in a matte shade. In 1972 the light gull grey went to polyurethane paint and is gloss which would have faded somewhat to semi-gloss.

First is one that is not shown and the only A-7B on the sheet. It is from VA-25 when aboard the USS Ticonderoga in 1969. It is the CAG bird so has the colors on the rudder.

Next is the first of the A-7Es, and in this case is with VA-27 aboard the USS Enterprise in 1974

Third option is with VA-195 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in 1971. This may qualify as a 'done to death' scheme as it is often produced on other sheets and your editor did the Airfix A-7E in these markings many moons ago.

Finally, from 1976 aboard the USS America is this VA-87 plane .

Instruction sheet is small but nicely done with photos of each of the subject. Included with the set is their A-7 data markings sheet. It will allow you to do any one of the options with full stencils. You can easily use kit decals for any of the others should you decided to do more than one from this sheet. The decals are nicely printed and my previous experience with this company was generally positive though one has to be careful with them as they are quite thin.

December 2017

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