HobbyBoss released their Corsair II range in 2007-2008 with an A-7A, A-7B, A-7D A-7E, A-7H, TA-7C, A-7P and A-7K included in the first run. The TA-7C was re-released by Doyusha in 2022 but all variants are still widely available on the second-hand market, usually for very reasonable prices.
What you get in the nicely decorated box is 188 parts; mostly medium grey plastic with 7 clear parts. The modeller shouldn't be too overawed by the parts count as a large number of parts are for the exterior stores, something that HB have definitely been very generous with.
The kit includes Sidewinders, fuel tanks, FLIR pods, MERs and more bombs than you're going to need unless you're feeling particularly silly.
For the most part, the sprues are individually wrapped, fitting snugly in the box and, despite this being a pre-owned kit there was absolutely no damage to my example. Nicely done HobbyBoss.
Surface detail is also excellent and the mouldings are crisp and completely flash-free. I couldn't say what the later, Doyusha release is like but these moulds should have had quite an easy life so it's certainly a kit I'd buy with confidence.
I'll let the following pictures illustrate the parts and detail level:
Yep, that's open equipment bays both sides. Not bad for an '07 kit in 1/72nd, I'd say.
HB offer 2 decal options with the kit, the box cover version from VA-122 based at NAS Leemore in 1976....
.....and an aircraft from VA-97 aboard USS Coral Sea in 1979.
The decals themselves are well-registered and very colourful with little carrier film. I really like the cockpit glazing seals; always a good thing to have as a decal.
They are, however, quite thick and mine had a strange residue on some of them. Difficult to photograph but you can just about see it on the lower black band of the yellow decal. The decals had been cut out of their sealed bag seconds before the picture was taken so I can only assume this is a manufacturing issue. I don't know if this would cause an issue with application and I'm not overly concerned as I don't intend to use the kit decals but it's something worth bearing in mind if you're considering buying this kit.
So, there you are; a nice-looking A-7E from HobbyBoss. Looks great in the box but only building it will tell whether it would be better off staying there. I've already started this kit and the build will be recorded in my WW thread and abbreviated in my Forrestal thread.
See you there
