FROG F260 LTV A-7A Corsair

Frog have also announced that they will be releasing a series of jet fighter kits during 1968, and on show were the F-4K Phantom, F-104 Starfighter and A-7A Corsair II. All featured alternative transfers and looked most attractive. Release of this series will start in the Spring.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.5 No.3, MARCH 1968

MODELLING
W R MATTHEWS
A TRIO FROM FROG

Frog kits at their best are very good indeed, and the best of this month's three 1/72nd scale releases from this company, the Blackburn Shark, is a superb kit in the world-beating class of Airfix's 'Trimotor'. The value that it offers for its modest UK price of 3s 11d is astounding—it comprises no fewer than 98 component parts! Sharks were operated from both wheels and floats, and both are offered with this kit. Like those of most Naval aircraft, the wings of the Shark folded, so Frog has provided alternative centre sections permitting the wings to be fitted in either position. The ailerons, elevators, and even the slots are separate movable parts, and a selection of bombs and a torpedo are included. The model is extremely neat and possesses a wealth of detail. The component parts fit together well, although some care is understandably necessary during assembly. The decal sheet, which provides four alternative sets of markings, including those of a Portuguese Air Force aircraft, is outstanding, being beautifully printed and semi-matt finished.

It would be surprising if there were not one or two minor points for criticism. One of these is that, owing to the design of the alternative centre sections, there is an ugly triangular gap below the trailing edges of the upper and lower wings when these are fitted in the extended position. The operating mechanism of the elevators is unsatisfactory, and the elevators are, in fact, better cemented in position.

Frog's other offerings comprise an A-7A Corsair II and a Northrop F-5A. Both are good kits, though not up to the standard of the previously-described Shark. Both are generally accurate, although the nose cone of the A-7A is too blunt, and both are finely if sparsely detailed. The fit of the component parts is good, but both models need a considerable amount of fitting and filling at the joints, the fin of the F-5A and the wing roots of the A-7A demanding particular attention in this respect. Perhaps the best feature of either kit is its decal sheet. That for the A-7A provides the colourful markings of two USN attack squadrons, while that of the F-5A offers the markings of an F-5A(G)-NO-25 of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and out-of-date markings for a Canadian Armed Forces CF-5A (the Canadian roundel is now red and white only, the blue outer ring having now given place to a red outer ring). At UK prices of 3s 11d and 6s 6d, these kits are fair value, though neither can be considered cheap, and this is particularly so in the case of the A-7A, despite the formidable array of underwing stores.

NEW KITS (latest review copies received)

RAF Flying Review June, 1968, Vol. 23, No. 10

HONG KONG COMMENT
by Colin Bramwell.

This "comment" is going to sound like a "plug" for one firm---HASEGAWA, whose l/72 scale Jet Series continues with the F-105D. Better than either the Phantom or Mig 21, this kit has recessed rivet and panel detail, (very little of the former) which, when painted gives a satisfactory imitation of the real thing. Semi-matt decals for camouflaged or natural metal versions are provided! and all sorts of underwing stores are included as is current Hasegawa practice in this series. Moving parts are limited to wheels and friction pivot tail planes. On the whole a good kit of a very big single seat jet.

The F-105 is No. 4 in the series, No. 3 being the F-104J which I have not yet seen on sale here. The Series is to continue with F-86F, F-5A, Lightning Mk. 6, LTV A7A Corsair II, F-lll A, and F111B. Rumours of a Mig-23 have not so far materialised. The whole of the above Series is supposed to be in Julie Liang's here by the end of March, but this seems a little doubtful.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.4 No.3, MARCH 1967

HASEGAWA. (Japan) Ling-Temco-Vought A-7A Corsair II. 1/72nd scale.

This must rate as one of the finest 1/72nd scale kits of present-day aircraft yet seen. Panel and rivet detail is excellent, while the fit of the component parts, which are moulded in pale grey plastic, is beyond criticism. The vast array of underwing stores includes two Sidewinder missiles, two racks for 6 x 500 Ib bombs on each, and two clusters of 250 lb bombs; in all there are eight external stores attachment points. Decals are very good, though the markings of aircraft of VA-122 and VA-174 which are given are guess work, the A-7A not having entered service yet. This is a truly excellent kit that will shortly be available in the U.K.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.5 No.10, OCTOBER 1967

ERRATA

Mr. Robert L.Trimble, of I.P.M.S. - U.S.A. has pointed out some errors in our review of Hasegawa's A-7A Corsair II kit. He states that we are too kind to the kit, and that it is inaccurate in numerous minor details. Our remark that the aircraft was not yet in service was also incorrect; the decals show the markings of VA-174, with which unit the aircraft is in service. (In fairness to our reviewer, this review was in fact written some months ago, when little information on the aircraft was available in Britain).

Mr. Trimble also mentions that Skyraider canopies are invariable tinted blue, not green or yellow as suggested in the August issue - but see Flying Review International, February 1968, page 71, for direct evidence to the contrary!

The IPMS magazine Vol.5 No.1, JANUARY 1968

IN VIEW

REVELL (USA)

Also shown in Revell's latest catalogue are new 1/72 scale models of the A-7A Corsair II and A-20C Havoc, re-issues of the C-130, F-8E, A-3& and F-102A and a new 1/48 scale Mitchell, together with numerous ships and cars.

The above advance information comes from member Paul Turner in the U.S.A.

The IPMS magazine, FEBRUARY 1968, Vol.5 No.2

MODELLING
W R MATTHEWS

NEW FROM REVELL

An immense number of kits have poured from Revell's presses recently, no fewer than five appearing during the past few weeks.

Happily, the Corsair II kit has none of the faults suffered by that of the Havoc, and is very good indeed. The parts are cleanly pressed and fit together well, while surface detail is to a very high standard—an astonishing amount of detail has been provided in the wheel wells. One particular feature of this kit is that it has a real intake pipe leading back into the fuselage, an essential item so frequently omitted from kits of jet aircraft. The decal sheet is well printed, offering the markings of the US Navy's VA-147. These differ surprisingly from those for the same unit offered with the Frog kit of this aircraft reviewed last month.

NEW KITS (latest review copies received)

RAF Flying Review July, 1968, Vol. 23, No. 11

NEW TO YOU?
New aircraft releases reviewed by 'SCALE MODELS' staff, show new kits of popular subjects

THE LATEST release from AIRFIX PRODUCTS LTD. is a 1/72 scale kit of the LING-TEMCO-VOUGHT A-7D/E CORSAIR II attack aircraft. This is a boxed Series 3 kit and as our sample arrived almost literally as this issue goes to press we plan to feature an 'In Depth* review plus scale drawings etc. on the CORSAIR II in a later issue when the AIRFIX kit will be discussed in greater detail including hints and tips on improving what is already a very fine model.

Moulded in white polystyrene the surface detail is to a new high standard which we understand will be featured on all future kits released from the company, gone are unsightly rivet heads and scored panel detail these being replaced by very fine - but raised-lines each of which is very cleanly defined with absolutely straight (or rounded - whichever is applicable) edges. Another innovation is the newly introduced (on AIRFIX kits) detailing for wheel wells -the inside of the fuselage - wheel bays on this model being beautifully moulded with various simulated pipes, hydraulic gear and other fittings so clearly visible on the CORSAIR aircraft.

The fuselage is moulded in two halves, nose to tail and the nose radome is slightly too flat on the upper, rearmost, edge - this being necessary to ensure snug fit of the windscreen section of the two part cockpit transparancies. However, it is a simple matter to reshape the nose radome by careful use of fine sandpaper. The interior of the jet intake orifice is made up of a curved 'tube' thereby avoiding the unsightly plain 'hole' as seen on earlier kits of jet types. The same 'tube' also forming the 'floor' for the pilots seat. The canopy is another kit item to which AIRFIX have been giving some thought, and both the separate windscreen and pilots canopy are from much thinner section of clear plastic, thereby providing a clarity that leaves any additional cockpit interior detailing that the modeller may wish to add to be clearly seen. The fit of the windscreen and canopy is superb. The kit includes optional nose wheel oleo legs, one to be used if the model is complete as an AIR FORCE A-7D or the NAVY version, the A-7E. The purist will be aware that there ARE other very slight external differences between these two versions —to be covered in our later article-but generally speaking the kit CAN be completed as an A-7D OR E and few would be able to criticise the model for being that much 'out' for either version.

A very full range of external stores are also included consisting of bombs in various sizes plus the familiar stores or weapons racks. The refuelling probe is also moulded as a separate item.

The undercarriage oleos for both the main and nose wheels are also finely detailed as are the wheels. The wings are 'broken' at the folding hinge join-line and the model could be completed with the wings in the 'open' or 'folded' position.

The decals are also to a new high standard for this company being flat mat-which IS correct in that the upper surface finish on both the A-7D and E's which should be matt camouflage paint. The markings are for an A-7D of the 57th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force base, Arizona, USA, while those of the A-7E navy version are for VA-146 operating from U.S.S. AMERICA carrier. The decals are in the correct colours of red and blue for the national star and bar insignia and such fine items as ejector seat triangles, plus various other RESCUE and similar stencilled instructions so prolific on the A-7's are all included as are, of course, the carrier tail markings for U.S.S. AMERICA or the white codes for 57th FW., on the navy version even the pilots name (CMDR. WANE STEPHENS) is given! Certainly this decal sheet augers well for decals in future ATRFIX kit subjects.

The reader may wonder why yet another kit of the A-7 CORSAIR IT was necessary, as of course, this type has been produced in kit form to 1/72 scale by other kit manufacturers. However. LTV themselves provided much of the technical drawings and data from which this fine kit was designed and produced, and as the type is a very popular subject among modellers the writer feels that this particular kit of the CORSAIR II is the best yet seen. THE NEW Airfix Sheridan Tank has the usual fully-rotating turret and flexible tracks. This 1/76 scale model contains cleanly-moulded parts which fit* together with the greatest of ease. The 61-part kit measures just over 3 in. when completed and the accurately reproduced 152 mm combined gun and guided missile launcher can be elevated to various firing positions. The Sheridan is the only tank in the world which fires Shillelagh guided missiles as well as conventional shells and its other armaments include two machine guns, a 0.50 mm and a 7.62 mm - the latter can be fully rotated on the model. Price is 25p.

Scale Models No.36 1972 SEPTEMBER Vol.3. No.09

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
Another SLUF

As the first in Lesney's Series Two Matchbox kits, the Vought A-7D Corsair II, known affectionately if unofficially as the SLUF (Short Little Ugly Fella) augers reasonably well for what would appear to be a rather more complex series of kits than the Series One, which, incidentally, already includes about a score of types with many more in the pipeline. The A-7D kit is commendably neat and accurate, both as regards outline and assembly, but like the previously-reviewed Series One kits, suffers from too deeply etched detail on the fuselage and flying surfaces. The other 1/72nd scale kit of the A-7D is that issued by Airfix and we hesitate to give the new kit a clear recommendation over its predecessor. Both kits provide interior detail for the nose intake and tailpipe; both offer a large selection of weapons to suspend in clusters under the wings. Airfix scores the higher marks for surface detailing but offers only alternative extended or folded wing positions whereas the Matchbox kit provides folding outer wing panels. These folding panels are not entirely a plus point for the Matchbox kit. however, as the upper surface of the fixed portion of the wing has been rounded off to allow for the fold and thus a very noticeable gap is apparent when the wings are extended. One point is decidedly scored by the newer kit is in the assembly of the nose and the separately moulded radome, a very neat effect being obtained.

Your choice between the two Corsair kits may rest on whether the modeller requires US Navy or USAF markings, for Airfix provides the former and has made painting a relatively simple process by moulding the component parts in white, and the Matchbox kit offers the latter and the USAF camouflage that is therefore necessary to apply will adequately cover the green, beige and black plastic components which would take some coating if a US Navy scheme is required. The Matchbox decal sheet provides markings for aircraft of two units, the 356th "Green Demons" TFS, 354th TFW. based at Myrtle Beach AFa, South Carolina, in 1972, and the 357th "Licking Dragons" TFS of the 355th TFW based at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1974-08 vol.07 no.08