Miniwing 1/144 LTV A-7A Corsair II
By Matt Bittner
Background
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II was designed for the Navy to replace the A-4 Skyhawk, and the Air Force used the A-7D to replace the A-1 Skyraider, the F-100 Super Sabre and the F-105 Thunderchief. One of the Corsair II's claim to fame is that it enjoyed the fastest and most trouble-free development period of any aircraft, post WWII. There were 199 A-7As built, the first being put into operation in early 1967.
The Kit
The Miniwings 1/144 LTV A-7A Corsair II consists of 22 pieces of resin and a vacumformed canopy (thankfully two are supplied). Decals are for one scheme only, a Corsair from the VA-147 Argonauts, which I think was from the late 1960's era. Decals are ALPS-generated so care must be taken when handling them.
Since the instructions consist of one step - which are typical Miniwings instructions - and since there are so few parts, you can start in any form. Add the cockpit tub after painting it, glue on the single-piece wing and horizontal tail pieces, and you have yourself a 1/144 model of a Corsair II. From here you can add the underwing pylons if you don't mind masking them, or add them as part of the final assembly after painting (along with the landing gear and gear doors). Since the fuselage is a solid piece of resin I don't think nose weight will be an issue. Adding it if needed, though, could be a trick. If it's like I suspect and weight won't be needed than it's not an issue.
Paint the model the typical Light Gull Gray over White, add the decals and you have yourself a 1/144 model of the A-7A.
Conclusion
Miniwing kits are what some would say "the bomb-diggity". Not much to them construction-wise, and all parts are extremely well cast and look great all together. If you're just starting out building resin, and don't mind the scale, then Miniwing kits are a great resin-starting point. The A-7A is definitely one of their easiest to assemble. Hopefully Miniwing will follow up with the other A-7s and create the entire series.
Thanks to Miniwing for sending this awesome, review kit.