DONE @p.3 +++ 1:72 A-7N Corsair II of RNZAF 2 Squadron, 1993

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, KiwiZac's recent RNZAF A-7 finally triggered my own build of this subject. Had this an the agenda for mayve four years now, so the concept had a lot of time to evolve and be thought through - but early last year I accidently deleted the background story (circling around the Canberra replacement in the Seventies and the overall RNZAF modernisation program of the time), and so the project more or less rested dormant. Even though I slowly gathered together all ingredients, including a Hobby Boss A-7E, decals and ordnance. And I started re-writing the background, since the basic idea is still the same. 

Work has already started, pics are pending, though, since another project on the bench waits for final decal deliveries from UK (as well as final touches and beauty picws). But since it is more or less an OOB build, nothing spectacular has happened yet, the paint scheme will be more interesting and differ considerably from KiwiZac's SEA scheme interpretation, which is most suitable for the type's delivery. Mine will be a machine in the Nineties, should make a nice pair! 

Stay tuned.

[Rick Lowe]

Yay! Another from the Fu-Meister! Can't wait to see this.

(We need a Popcorn Emotiface...)

[Thorvic]

You could just have the RNZAF picking up the more capable Corsair to replace the A-4 Skyhawk rather than the upgrade programme they did  ;-)

[Rick Lowe]

But it would still have been from the same era, so the upgrade would still have been necessary...

[zenrat]

Hmmm, Dizz started this thread 2 1/2 hours ago.  Must be nearly done by now...

[Dizzyfugu]

You could just have the RNZAF picking up the more capable Corsair to replace the A-4 Skyhawk rather than the upgrade programme they did  ;-)

In "my" world, the A-7 was picked as a "bigger punch" option in addition to the scooters, as a part of the update package, primarily for coastal defense and sea patrol duties. After all, it would replace a light bomber! 

[KiwiZac]

An interesting concept - I like the idea of us having more than one jet strike type in the inventory!

[Snowtrooper]

So, will the A-7N borrow any features from the prototyped A-7F StrikeFighter? (supersonic capable, larger fuselage, etc.) If it does, I'm really interested to see the ingredients, as A-7F is one of the long-term projects in The Plan™.

[Dizzyfugu]

No. The A-7F was stillborn, and what New Zealand do with it? After all, the operator was on a budget, so an economical solution (like the A-4!) would be most plausible. It took until 2001 that New Zealand considered supersonic aircraft: the A-4s were to be replaced by F-16, but this deal never materialized and all fixed-wing attack aircraft were retired - a fate that the A-7 would have faced, too.

I have the plan to build/convert an A-7F some day, though, as an USAF service aircraft (mating a Corsair and a Crusader).  but this one here will be a simple A-7D/E hybrid - land-based, but technically at A-7E standard. Would fall well into the procurement window in the mid-Seventies.

[Dizzyfugu]

Progress is good. The thing stands on its own feet and basic painting has been finished. 

[PR19_Kit]

Progress is good. The thing stands on its own feet and basic painting has been finished. 

A bit slow Thomas, you've been at it two days already........... 

[Captain Canada]

lol for sure we should have seen the beauty pics three days ago 

Looking forward to seeing this one love the A-7 !

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, I am still working on a laggard project in parallel, just did a photo session for that one.

Progress on the Kiwi'sair 2.0 is still good, though, did weathering and post-shading yesterday. Looks a little strange in those colors, but I am looking forwartd to the result with roundels and other markings in place. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Further progress: decals applied (including fights with exotic short run material) and ordnance is also in the finishing stages. Looks cool now, with Kiwis. Some light weathering around the exhaust and matt varnish probably next - this one should be finished (read: ready to be posted with background and beauty pics) late this week, just in time for the 1 Week GB. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Slowly catching up with reality: interior WiP. Since the kit is basically OOB not much pics to post. The air intake is in so far tricky as painting the inside is not easy. I painted the halves before glueing them together - a classic white rear duct part, but the front end, about 5mm deep, will carry external cammo colors.


1:72 LTV A-7N "Corsair II", aircraft '(NZ7)031' of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 2 Squadron; Ohakea AFB, 1993 (Whif/Hobby Boss kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The cockpit is nicely detailed, but... the dashboard and the side consoles a totally bleak. This would not be a serious matter,  but Hobby Boss does not provide any information about instruments , or even decals, which could be perfectly applied. 


1:72 LTV A-7N "Corsair II", aircraft '(NZ7)031' of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 2 Squadron; Ohakea AFB, 1993 (Whif/Hobby Boss kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Anyway, fit of the cockpit tub is good, and some lead behind the cockpit ensures a stable stance (Pls. note the grey front end of the intake now).


1:72 LTV A-7N "Corsair II", aircraft '(NZ7)031' of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 2 Squadron; Ohakea AFB, 1993 (Whif/Hobby Boss kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr