SAM Publications series of Modelers Datafiles cover a lot of ground in a single book. This one is on the Vought A-7 Corsair II, and it gives plenty of information in a single book that most modelers need when researching and building a model.

The A-7 was the replacement for the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Even a casual observer can see that what Vought did was take their successful F-8 Crusader and shorten it. They also put a non-afterburning turbofan engine in there, improving range and fuel economy. And with the advances in electronics and weapons in the 1960s, the A-7 was a very accurate bomb-dropper, and it could carry a pretty good load of various weapons.

The book consists of the following sections

I still remember the commercials for the Mazda Wankel engined cars – like they hum. This was a pretty quick and simple build and was a pleasure to build

Engine

I have no idea about the size of the engine but it’s a Wankel rotary engine. The parts fit together like they should with no flash. There is an option for a different carburetor and air filter. I used the stock unit. I didn’t detail the engine to keep it an out of the box build.

Interior

Interior is just a basic tub. The gauges were strange because there’s 3 gauges well engraved on the dash but the included decals have 2 large gauges and 3 smaller ones that didn’t even come close to a match. I just detail painted the engraved pieces. The interior is also flocked.

Convair’s F-102A originated as a response to a requirement for a Mach 1+ interceptor fighter. Based upon the XF-92 research fighter, the F-102 became the U.S’. first delta-winged fighter. The triangular wing was named after the Greek letter D (delta), which it resembled in shape.

The kit comes molded in light grey plastic with a total of 97 parts with very little flash. The detail on the parts is quite good, with panel lines being represented by raised lines.

On the exhaust parts in Step 1, the afterburner and parts 86 and 87 should be sanded smooth before assembling the fuselage, as this area becomes almost impossible to work after assembly. There are ejector pin marks on the insides of both intake halves just inside of the air intake lips. As these will be seen from outside by looking down both intakes, I recommend sanding them smooth, along with painting the area silver or zinc chromate green.

Hasegawa has re-released their -J Phantom II as a “Super Detail” edition with markings from VF-84 “Jolly Rogers”. That skull and bones sure look great on the rudder. And you are even provided with a skull and bones patch to add to your own jacket!

The box has 8 grey sprues, one clear sprue (for a total of 132 pieces) and a photoetch fret, white metal parts and plastic rubber tires, plus one short run of a plastic rubber “hose”, for detailing.

The triple ejector rack (TER) has been used for many years and is a weapons suspension unit that attached to an aircraft pylon and allows for three weapons to be carried on that pylon. The United States has used TERS since the Vietnam War and they still a common sight on US aircraft along with many NATO air forces. The bombs are attached to the TER by mounting lugs and are stabilized by adjustable sway braces on the TER.

Eduard has produced a resin set which includes part to make 5 TER’s in 1/32^nd scale. The set is made of 50 parts of wonderfully cast resin and a small photoetch fret. Full color instructions and full markings are also included.