Sheet:

Superscale 48-084: A-7E Corsair II

Units: VA-83 and VA-195

Price

$ Long out of production

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Just to get an idea of how long ago this sheet was produced, Superscale is now on sheet 1, 147, nearly 1100 sheets ago. Fortunately, it is still a fine sheet and covers a pair of A-7E Corsair IIs. Back then, 1/72 was the main focus of their sheets so these schemes first appeared in that scale. It was as much due to a lack of a proper kit as anything else. Then ESCI released the E model A-7 in 1/48. We still didn't have a decent kit, but at least it was 1/48 and so it was reason enough to upsize a sheet.

Both these aircraft are in the light gull grey and white scheme.

First is from VA-83 aboard the USS Forrestal at the time. The modeler will have to paint the fin tip a light blue that matches the fuselage stripe.

The other is the CAG bird from VA-195, which was on the USS Kitty Hawk. This is a most colorful plane and one I picked when doing a 1/72 Airfix kit.

You get a full set of data for both planes, though insignia will have to be found elsewhere. I would also have thought that these aircraft would have had upper wing markings with the code and modex, but if so, they are not provided.

November 2006

Review copy courtesy of your editor and his collection.

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