Re: A-7A Corsair II
Grendels - I like the the wheels up and flying with the brass rod / base idea.. I just think a plane looks better flying than on the ground - but that's just me.
As for the cockpit, what is the scale again? I've a couple ideas, first idea comes from one of the practice kits I'm building. I'm building a 1:144 SU-22 right now - tiny - no cockpit either, so I primed over the clear parts. I'll paint the the fuselage and frame at the same time (brown and green). then come back and paint the glass black with a little jewelling effect painted on. Might not work so good for you however as the corsair canopy frame is black I think...
Second idea, scavenge a pilot from a dollor store friction toy or similar. Paint up said scavenged pilot to look sort of like a Navy aviator. You said the clear parts are thick and distort the view, so it doesn't need to be really all that accurate, just have to give the apperance of a manned cockpit.
JMac