ESCI | No. 4014 | 1:48 | Vought A-7E Corsair II

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March 15, 2024
2022/23: OOB build of the vintage '70s Italeri 1/48 kit.
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September 13, 2022
I love old ESCI kits, it is like I'm a kid again. Decals don't look too bad and neither does the decades old plastic.
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September 13, 2022
Instructions... Kit is from 1978!
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September 13, 2022
Priming internal areas.
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September 13, 2022
Basic cockpit - decals just about held up. I always allow the seat paint to get a bit gritty - in the hope it looks a bit more realistic, well that's my excuse!
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September 13, 2022
Mating fuselage: I applied standard cement first with Revell tube glue on main mating points, then squeeze! Then when it's gone off enough I run Tamiya Extra Thin to help weld the seams together. Glue, glue and more glue!

These old kits never simply fit together (or at least they don't when I build them!) There's a fair amount of holding and squeezing by hand whilst it all goes off and an understanding that 'welded' messy joins can be sanded back and sorted... Better to get the shape as good as possible then go back and add in raised panel line detail afterwards.

I'm personally not a big fan of the fill with super glue trick, but that's just me.
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September 13, 2022
Fuselage assembly, it's a bit clumsy, but to be expected really due to the kit manufacturing.
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September 13, 2022
Underside did not want to play ball! The front section of fuselage is almost a different size, even though I payed attention to the shape. I'll go back and do some re-forming with a hairdryer and some squeezing.
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September 13, 2022
More general fettling, sanding, scraping, wet and dry...
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September 13, 2022
Taking the 'fist of the fleet' familiar shape. I'm also re-scribing where there is a requirement on the (non) folding wings in this kit.
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September 13, 2022
Sanding and adding back in some raised panel lines.
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September 13, 2022
Getting tidier. I'm going to stop about now, otherwise I'll be here for years!
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September 13, 2022
Adding back in the kit's original raised panel line detail... I tape off a very fine line. Add plastic putty between tape, then use a cocktail stick to level the lines - it's possible to end up with a pretty fine line that's (almost) as good as the original.
14
September 21, 2022
I know it'll make life harder for paint, however decided to add the pylons to the build at this stage as they do not fit very well. This allows for resin filler to help join. Have also completed more work to main fuselage seam/join.
15
September 21, 2022
More general scalpel work, adding back in raised panel lines that were removed by sanding and reshaping, filling and priming.
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September 21, 2022
Bit of nose work here. Nose has weights added too. Hopefully enough!
17
September 21, 2022
Dealing with the usual (vintage kit) gaps on pylons... Also went back to the instructions and realised I should've removed the moulded section on rear tail.
18
October 6, 2022
Masking off for underside white. I was going to freehand it/go wavy. But my overly geometric leanings got the better of me, so went for a nice taped linear line!
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October 24, 2022
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October 24, 2022
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November 4, 2022
Adding some (unrealistic!) colourful touches to wheel bay.
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November 4, 2022
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November 25, 2022
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November 25, 2022
Initial blends and grey staining getting there, finish is also flatter after some sanding. I'm persevering with the Hataka paints.
25
November 29, 2022
It's so rewarding when all the tape comes off.
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January 3, 2023
Couple of touch-ups and decided to add grey strips to stabilizers, so masking.
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December 9, 2022
Touching up, adding blue to fin, grey to stabilizers and white to access points on forward fuselage.
28
January 3, 2023
The refuelling probe is laughably large and inaccurate, but hey this is an old ESCI kit. It also doesn't allow the decals to be placed where they should.
29
January 3, 2023
Decal time... Remember these decals are 45 years old!
30
January 12, 2023
Adding some initial grey grime. Most will be progressively wiped off.
31
February 17, 2023
Some finishing touches here and there. Hand paint wheels. Will amend the flat black colour.
32
February 17, 2023
Main canopy is both scratched and broken! I forgot this since encasing it in tape and just cracking on with build. Have subsequently repaired, polished and masked up canopy to paint.
33
March 7, 2023
Touch ups to cockpit, painting canopy, adding anti-dazzle black detail and joystick.
34
March 7, 2023
Drying time. I tend to build multiple kits, this allows a kit to just cure for a while.
35
March 13, 2023
It's an approximation of reality, bit like the kit! I hand paint all these bits, before weathering and adding any further detail - It's all a bit toy like though I appreciate.
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Comments

89 13 September 2022, 08:59

Maciej Bellos
In!

13 September 2022, 11:40

David H
Pulling up a seat,

13 September 2022, 11:54

Neil
Welcome mates! 🙂 Thanks for your interest 👍

13 September 2022, 19:37

Gary Victory
Nice progress Neil on an old classic.

21 September 2022, 13:53

Neil
Cheers Gary! 👍

21 September 2022, 23:18

David Culp
Wow, that old model is fighting you every step of the way. It's looking great.

22 September 2022, 01:35

Neil
I'll get there in the end and beat it into shape David! 😆 Thanks for checking out my build and very kind of you to say 👍

23 September 2022, 22:25

John
Pylon gaps are one of the worst things about these old kits. Raised panel lines are one thing but having scale gaps between wing/pylon that you could stick a fire extinguisher through, ugh.

6 October 2022, 10:57

Neil
Hahaha! Just perfectly summed up my friend 😂 yeah... I build these with an acknowledgement that they're good enough but by no means accurate! 👍

14 October 2022, 17:20

James C
Looking awesome 👍

4 November 2022, 16:32

Neil
Thanks James C 👍

6 November 2022, 00:33

Arif Saeed
Looking great Neil 👌

3 January 2023, 11:42

Maciej Bellos
She builds up her character Neil. Looks good. I noticed that the kit also provides a Rampagers jet. I managed to get one decal set for it's successor and plan to rebuild a Monogram Hornet.

3 January 2023, 11:59

Neil
Hi Arif and Maciej - HNY 🙂 Thanks both for commenting and liking, much appreciated, yes it's gaining an ESCI personality! @Maciej - it does indeed, those decals looked like the riskier option to use from this old kit, so went with what I hoped would go down the easiest. Will keep a watch for your Hornet build for sure mate 👍

11 January 2023, 10:25

Maciej Bellos
It's way down the pipeline Neil... Will see if I move it up a bit. Looking forward to the end result!

Cheers!

11 January 2023, 13:25

Neil
Looking forward to it indeed Maciej 🙂 thanks also for the recent likes mates 👍

18 February 2023, 11:22

Markus Antonius
I could not finish mine back in 1985 - so good to see someone building it now 🙂 Well done so far.

7 March 2023, 11:23

Neil
Thanks Markus! And thanks for the likes mates 👍

8 March 2023, 19:25

Maciej Bellos
Looks very nice Neil. Glorious Colourful Navy Era!

8 March 2023, 19:51

Guy Rump
Looking good. 👍

8 March 2023, 20:46

John
Hard to believe it's an ESCI. You obviously put a lot of elbow grease into it. Great result!

9 March 2023, 15:16

Neil
Thanks mates, you're very kind to comment 🙂 and thanks for the likes too. I've now completed the canopy repair, undercarriage flaps, ladder and also all the wheels and struts are painted - so that's next to add, then we'll be done 👍

10 March 2023, 10:19

Tommy Agne
👍👍👍.

12 March 2023, 20:07

Neil
Cheers mate 👍 🙂

13 March 2023, 11:41

David H
Neil , you've worked absolute wonders with this old kit . Looking really good 👍🏻

13 March 2023, 19:44

Neil
Thanks very much David 👍

14 March 2023, 19:19

Villiers de Vos
Very nice effects.

16 March 2023, 07:32

Neil
Thanks very much Villiers 🙂 and others for likes too! 👍

18 March 2023, 10:21

James C
Looking good 👍

31 March 2023, 16:03

Neil
Hiya James C thanks mate! 👍

31 March 2023, 23:10

Thomas Bischoff
I built this kit years ago - yours is turning out beautifully 👍

31 March 2023, 23:23

Neil
Hi Thomas, thanks very much 🙂 and thanks for the likes too mates 👍

10 April 2023, 09:19

Nathan Dempsey
Nice work Neil. You make these old kits shine.

10 April 2023, 13:27

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work.

10 April 2023, 14:49

Neil
Thanks Nathan and Villiers your interest and comments are much appreciated ☺️👍

14 April 2023, 18:08

Rui S
Looking great 👍

14 April 2023, 23:39

Neil
Thanks Rui 👍

16 April 2023, 09:40

Mr James
Loving the Corsair. I remember doing an Airfix kit as a wee lad. Lovely work.

28 May 2023, 16:19

Neil
Thanks Mr James! 👍

6 June 2023, 11:55

Neil
Hi All, Have now added final reveal imagery...

Enjoyed this one a lot! I have a bit of a soft spot for Esci kits. In my youth a 1/72 scale Esci was an affordable choice, so I still enjoy building them in this larger scale very much... I endeavour to build them as 'tight' as I can and to have some basis of modern style weathering, etc. Not always an easy task when dealing with older raised panel line kits and poor fitment.

Thanks to all who took time to comment on my efforts and all who liked. As always you're all very kind to comment on my weird fascination with building these 'oldies' rather than putting my efforts into building a proper modern kit! 👍 🙂

15 March, 14:36

Matti Thomaes
Great result, you would never gues this is a 45 year old kit at first glance

15 March, 14:41

John
Impressive result on this old beast of a kit! These ESCIs are even more work than a Monogram, ha! Going to tackle their Viggen next? Oh wait, you already did I see!

15 March, 15:13

Guy Rump
Great result Neil! 👍

15 March, 15:27

Desert Marlin
Nice work! I have great memories of building this one back in the 70's!!!

15 March, 21:12

J35J
Impressive work on that old kit👍🏻

15 March, 21:19

Rui S
Beautiful result Neil.I 👍
I'm with you, getting great results, from an old bugger, without add ons, gives one more taste on its endeavour. Congratulations

15 March, 23:29

Thomas Bischoff
well done - these old kits deserve to be built 👍

16 March, 18:49

Rui S
I agree 😉

16 March, 20:53

Gary Victory
Very nice work Neil. Great build and paint job. Top job Sir.

18 March, 07:11

Neuling
Top result indeed. 👍👍

18 March, 10:27

Neil
Gosh! I know I keep saying it, but humbled again at all the nice things you supremely talented guys have said regarding another one of my oldies 🙂 👍 you're all very kind to comment.

@Rui, yes I think I must have a strange fascination (or maybe I should call it a problem!?) In trying to gain something respectable out of an 'old bugger' as you say ha! 🙂 Thanks to all those who've liked also 👍

18 March, 19:57

CaptGPF
Beautiful build! Did you have to treat the decals to prevent them from shattering?

18 March, 20:59

Neil
Hi CaptGPF, thanks for your like and comment 👍 actually for a 40+ year old kit, the decals on this one were pretty useable. In my experience you've just got to be extra careful and avoid softening agents as they will make them disintegrate. I love to build using only the original kit decals wherever possible, but it's always a delicate process... More so than when using a fresh new set where you can pile on the pre and post solutions to help it all settle and adhere.

19 March, 00:51

Project info

Vought A-7E Corsair II

51 images

1:48

Completed

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