Experimental A-7E

[david sMiGielski]

Ages ago I saw a profile of an A-7E from VA-27 in a two-tone light blue and tan scheme. I managed to find one photo, but was wondering if anyone knew more about this airframe? And, more importantly, did anyone ever do decals for this (since I'm pretty sure national insignia with the white removed might be hard to come by)?

[Johnopfor]

It looks like a variation of the "Gecko" paint scheme applied to VA-22 during 1987-88 on the USS Enterprise.

Credit-www.seaforces.org

Almark Decals released a sheet with this VA-22 Corsair in 1/72 scale a long while ago, but I haven't seen anyone else attempt these Gecko schemes. The national insignia is a bluish-grey on the sheet, but is the same diameter as the wing insignia.

I am corrected, I understand that TwoBobs had a sheet, 48-115 with VA-22 "Gecko" blue and brown schemes on it, but it is listed as sold out on their site.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Johnopfor

[Jennings]

In any event, the national insignias are painted one of the camouflage colors, so any decal you find, almost by definition, is going to be the wrong color. There's simply no way a decal printer can know what color each and every builder is going to paint his model. That's the main downfall of almost every Navy/Marines aggressor A-4 decal I've ever seen. They match the FS595 color exactly, and they're **far** too dark for the paints I'd put on the model.

[david sMiGielski]

In any event, the national insignias are painted one of the camouflage colors, so any decal you find, almost by definition, is going to be the wrong color. There's simply no way a decal printer can know what color each and every builder is going to paint his model. That's the main downfall of almost every Navy/Marines aggressor A-4 decal I've ever seen. They match the FS595 color exactly, and they're **far** too dark for the paints I'd put on the model.

Totally concur. I've fought so many times with decals of the amazing Israeli tail art that doesn't match a single damned brown I've been able to find.

Is it just me or does it almost look like the stars and bars on this Corsair were oversprayed with the "tan" color?

[Jennings]

Is it just me or does it almost look like the stars and bars on this Corsair were oversprayed with the "tan" color?

It's just you. That's as blue as the day is long I'm afraid :)

[david sMiGielski]

It's just you. That's as blue as the day is long I'm afraid :)/>

Crap. So much for that. Looks like it will be garish CAG markings over gull gray and white for this one.

[Superheat]

Hi David,

Here are some photos of the left side, two of which, though small, will give you some help on the upper wing surfaces.

Some color observations: the "tan" you are seeing is almost certainly 36440, aka Lt Gull Grey - compare it to the other A-7 visible in photo 3. The photo is dated November 1978 which was when the Navy was converting to the overall 36440 scheme and other aircraft in the squadron at this time are in that scheme, with some still in LGG/W. The national insignia is the same as the darker blue-grey. I'm not sure about the 402 and CDR J K PARTINGTON but I think they are 36440.

HTH,

Tom

[Camus272]

I'd be willing to bet that the blues are 35109 and 35190. The gray could be 36320 if its not 36440, depending on the color shift of the photo. You could get decals in these colors off of current Navy F-16 and F-5 adversary sheets. The 402 might be a problem though.

Brian