 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | |||
| Manufacturer: | LTV | ||
| Designation: | A-7 | ||
| Version: | D | ||
| Nickname: | Corsair II | ||
| Type: | Fighter | ||
| Specifications | |||
| Length: | 46 ft 1 in | ||
| Height: | 16 ft 1 in | ||
| Wingspan: | 38 ft 8 in | ||
| Crew: | 1 | ||
| Armament: | One M61A1 20mm rapid-fire cannon plus 15,000 lbs. of mixed ordnance | ||
| Gross Weight: | 39,325 lbs. loaded | ||
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Allison TF41 turbofan engine | ||
| Thrust: | 14,250 lbs | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 3,044 miles | ||
| Cruise Speed: | 545 mph | ||
| Max Speed: | 663 mph | ||
| Ceiling: | 33,500 ft | ||
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II single-seat attack aircraft was originally designed during the Vietnam War as a replacement for the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. After modification (the installation of an improved Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan engine and a M61 Vulcan multi-barrel 20mm cannon) the A-7D was also adopted by the Air Force in 1968. The A-7D proved to be a reliable single-seat, close air support aircraft innovative in being the first aircraft to use a modern Heads Up Display (HUD) providing detailed information on dive angle, airspeed, altitude, drift and weapons guidance. The A-7's advanced integrated navigational system, the Projected Map Display System (PMDS), showed the aircraft's exact location on two different map scales.
Serving in Southeast Asia the A-7D proved itself to be an excellent close air support aircraft and a particularly apt platform for delivering the first generation of today's modern precision guided weapons. When A-7D production ended in 1976, 459 had been delivered to the USAF. Following the close of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, A-7Ds were assigned to the Air National Guard (ANG) units; by 1987 they were being flown by ANG units in ten states and Puerto Rico. A-7Ds were retired in 1993 after replacement by F-16 Falcons.
The museums A-7D 69-6188, was manufactured by Ling-Temco-Vought, Dallas TX and delivered to the USAF on June 1, 1970.It has been on loan from the Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio since May 14, 2002.
- - - - - - -
According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA/RSA), Maxwell AFB, AL, the museum's A-7D has the following history:
The A-7D, s/n 69-6188, was manufactured by Ling-Vought, Dallas TX and delivered to the USAF on 1 Jun 1970. Its assignments were:
Jun 1970 To 58th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), Luke AFB AZ
Jun 1971 To 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), Davis-Monthan AFB
Jan 1977 To Lowry Technical Training Center (ATC), Lowry AFB CO
Jun 1977 Converted to GA-7D (ground instructional vehicle; Last assignment listed)
The A-7D, s/n 69-6188, had 1777 hours when it was retired.
On May 14, 2002, the A-7D, s/n 69-6188, arrived at the museum by flatbed truck from Colorado.
This aircraft is on loan from the Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
