Cutting Edge 1/32 A-7D Decals
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I knew it would not be long after Trumpeter released their 1/32 A-7D
that we would see decals for it, and I was right. Cutting Edge is the
first off the blocks with these two sheets covering Air National Guard
and USAF Corsairs.
The first sheet tackles a trio of Air National Guard A-7Ds. All three
of these aircraft feature wraparound camouflages. Starting with the brown
one, this is an A-7D from the 162 TFG, Arizona ANG. This plane is finished
in a two-tone brown and tan scheme. However, the instructions leave it
up to you to decide which shade of brown and tan to use, as there are
no color callouts on this plane. All of the markings are in black.
The other two options are both from the 162 TFS, 178 TFG of the Ohio
ANG. Both of these are camouflaged in FS 26118 and 26270. Both aircraft
have the majority of markings in black, with yellow outlined red tailbands.
72-0169 carries the name "Little Sweetie 4" on the nose and features
red and yellow checks around the intake lip. 69-0222 carries the name
"Scrappy" on the nose. Both have the numbers on the wheel doors shadowed,
with 169 in red shadowed with yellow, and 222 done in the reverse. These
are provided as multi-part decals, so be ready for some careful alignment
work.
Part 2 provides three options painted up in the traditional Vietnam
era colors. The first two aircraft were based out fo Korat, Thailand,
during the Vietnam War, while the last is from 1981 in a wraparound scheme.
The first Korat bird is Lt. Riggs aircraft, from the 3rd TFS, 388th TFW.
This plane has a large sharkmouth on the intake and a star spangled red,
white and blue band on the tail. The second Korat A-7 is Capt. Don Cornell's
aircraft from the 354th TFW. It has a smaller sharkmouth and a multi-colored
tail stripe. Both of these are finished in FS 34079, 34102, and 30219
over 36622.
The final option is an A-7D from the Colorado ANG (120th TFS, 140th
TFW). This plane is camouflaged in a wraparound scheme of FS 34079, 34102,
and 30219 and was the commander's aircraft during the 1981 Gunsmoke competition.
It carries a bit of artwork and the name "Speedwell" on the nose, as
well as a "World Champs" emblem, noting the 140th TFW's victory at Gunsmoke
'81.
Both of these sheets are well researched and include lots of detail
markings in addition to the main scheme decals. The quality is quite
good, with solid colors throughout and excellent register. While there
are some parts that will require layering by the modeler, careful applicaton
should create stellar results.
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