Monogram 1/48 A-7A -> A-7D conversion. A true test of skill.
So, I was waiting for my C-130J engine nacelles to arrive and I was at the local Hobby Lobby looking around. I spot the re-issue of the Monogram A-7 kit and I instantly thought, "That would look great in-flight and in USAF markings, specifically the OK ANG."
Well, The A-7 is not one of my favorite airplanes. Maybe because it's not as cool as an F-15 or 16 and doesn't have the unique look of the A-10. I knew the AF flew the A-7D, how hard could it be, this is an A...
So, I start building the kit and it's going together pretty good and I'm feeling all good about myself...that is until I start pulling up pictures of A-7D's. That's when I realized that building he Monogram (ex-Aurora) A-7A as a D is not going to be as easy as I originally thought.
As with the majority of aircraft builds, it starts with the front office. I didn't take any pics while I was building it, so here it is installed with a standard Monogram pilot installed. The Monogram pilot fit the best. I prefer Hasegawa pilots, but this one fit the best. The IP is a decal with a LOT of solvaset on it.
I had to remove the molded in U.S. Navy probe receptacle cradle on the forward right side of the aircraft and add a USAF In-Flight Refueling receptacle fairing. This was made by modifying a bomb half by cutting and sanding to shape.
The fairing were added to the bottom of the fuselage to match the D configuration.
The external fuel tanks were missing the the ventral fin. This was added by making a new fin out of Evergreen styrene.
In the A-7A configuration the are twin gun ports on the side of the intake. The D only has one on the left side of the intake. This fairing was made by moding another smaller bomb half and sanded to shape and faired in.
I removed the TER form Station 1 pylon and added sway braces from an old Monogram A-10 kit and also added an ALQ-119 jammer.here is the dry fit of the jammer.
During my online searching of A-7D pics, I found a cool pic of an A-7 carrying AGM-65 on Station 2 and 5 pylons. The LAU-88 rails are out of a Hasegawa kit and fitted to the pylon with added sway braces. Here is one of the modified pylons. Did they carry these operationally? I don't know, but it'll look pretty cool on the finished model.
The AIM-9s and rails leave a lot to be desired. These will be replaced with some Academy missiles and rails out of their F-16 kit.
Finally an overall shot with some parts dry fitted.
When it's done, hopefully, it'll look something like this:
Photographer unknown (Posted under Fair Use)
I shifted focus away from the aircraft to the weapons and such.
Here is the ALQ-119 jammer dirtied up a bit.
As well as the AIM-9s...still looking a bit new.
