A-7A/B Conversion
for Hasegawa A-7E

Cutting Edge Modelworks 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Fans of US Naval aviation have been well treated lately with a steady stream of new kits as well as decal sheets and resin accessories. This latest resin conversion from Cutting Edge Model Works addresses a gap in the ranks of the Attack Community.

When Hasegawa released their range of A-7 kits back in 1987 (yes it was that long ago!) no-one could really blame them for opting to tool the A-7E for the commercial reason of being able to also release the USAF’s A-7D with only minor additions of a couple of separate sprues.

If you wanted either an –A or –B you had to carry out a conversion of the Hasegawa kit or build one of the old Monogram offerings – a nice kit but nowhere near the standard of the Hasegawa offering.

This conversion from Cutting Edge now allows you to convert your Hasegawa –E to either an –A or –B. As the instruction sheet says – This is a very simple conversion.

Without going into a detailed description, the main external differences between the –A/B and the –E lie with the nose. The two Mk 12 20mm cannons of the A/B were replaced with a single M61A1 Vulcan cannon. The Vulcan was mounted on the lower port side of the fuselage in a bulged mounting. This change of cannon position as well as moving and changing the type of boarding ladder and a few other less visible changes pretty well are the sum of differences – a simplistic explanation to say the least so check your references before you embark on this conversion!

The Cutting Edge conversion addresses these changes by supplying the lower forward fuselage haves as replacement pieces. These pieces have been engineered so that here is a small rebate which will allow the piece to sit flush with the fuselage as well as providing a tab to glue and hold it. The small ECM antennae that were scabbed onto the leading edge of the intakes on latter aircraft have also been cast in-place – a nice touch, and as the instruction sheet says “sand ‘em off if the aircraft you are modelling wasn’t fitted with them. Also supplied are the speed brake well and the speed brake. These latter pieces are simply the original kit pieces suitably modified and then re-cast. Other parts also include 2 LAU-7 rails and, a new boarding ladder, two ECM antenna and fuselage boarding steps. (You get four steps and two boarding ladders as they are all cast on a single sprue and two sprues are included – see the illustration of the parts.) The detail on the launch rails is very nice – far better than is supplied in the kit and it would be a shame to actually mount a missile on them and hide it all.

All pieces are crisply cast and there are absolutely no pin holes in any of the parts. There is a little flash in evidence but it will be simply and quickly dealt with in the clean up process.

The instruction sheet contains a wealth of information and notes on completing the conversion as well as providing templates for re-scribing the ammunition access door on the starboard fuselage half and the starter cart access port.

The conversion comes packed in a clear plastic Zip-loc bag with the standard Cutting Edge black and yellow striped cardboard header.

In summary, Cutting Edge's 1/48 scale A-7A/B conversion is a nice little package that has been thoughtfully engineered and faultlessly manufactured.

Thank you Scott Battistoni and Vertis Johnson!

Recommended.

Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review sample

Cutting Edge Modelworks products are available from Meteor Productions Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 16 September, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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