Cutting Edge 1/32 A-7E Corsair II Decal Sheets

The Trumpeter 1/32 A-7 is impressive and is easily the best 1/32 injection molded kit of the A-7 out there. For those who want to build something other than what’s in the box in terms of markings, though, the selection is slim. Cutting Edge has provided a few colorful options, though, and these should prove to be quite popular. The first A-7 sheet was their Desert Storm A-7, which was reviewed in the March 2006 issue. Their next three releases are now available and offer a trio of gull gray and white A-7s.

The first sheet provides markings for a VA-37 A-7E. This aircraft is a CAG bird off of the USS John F Kennedy in October, 1982. The nose is painted blue, as is the fin tip and wing tips. As the squadron’s nickname is “The Bulls,” there is a large bull on the tail, rendered in black and blue. Since this is a CAG aircraft, this same bull shape is replicated on the rudder in five colors. The instructions indicate that a photo of this aircraft is on page 17 of the A-7 Detail and Scale Colors & Markings book (Volume 9).

If orange is more to your fancy, the second sheet is probably the one for you. This sheet provides markings for a VA-86 A-7 from the USS Nimitz in December of 1975. VA-86 are the “Sidewinders,” so, like the prior sheet, this plane features a large coiled sidewinder rattlesnake on the tail, in orange and black. Expanding on the orange color, a series of orange diamonds are on the rudder, and a large orange diamond is on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. Additionally, orange stripes are on the top of the wing, just inboard of the wing fold.

The third sheet returns to CAG aircraft with a colorful example from VA-15 off of the USS America. This plane features an all white vertical tail, with blue and yellow stripes running on the leading edge. A large lion in the same blue and yellow is on the tail, and the rudder features some colorful stars. The squadron designation is also in blue, and the nose number is blue, shadowed in yellow. This sheet will probably be more difficult in applying, due to the tail striping, but there is extra blue sections provided to fill any gaps that might appear.

All three of these sheets are well printed with vibrant colors and excellent alignment. They should have no problems in application, as those familiar with Cutting Edge decals know. If you are looking for something a bit different for your Trumpeter A-7, these sets are just the thing.

My thanks to Meteor Productions for the review samples. Visit their website for ordering information.