(EoDDev)TrahnLee
05-10-2008, 01:14 AM
In continuing our "Navy Theme" for this set of news posts. I am proud to present another aviation legend, The A7 Corsair II. While not the "true" gunfighter, as far as aircraft go. (That honor goes to the F-8 Crusader.) It is still one of the last of the great breed of aircraft from Vought.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6177/screen003zd5.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen003zd5.jpg)
In 1962, the United States Navy began preliminary work on VAX (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Experimental), a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk with greater range and payload. A particular emphasis was placed on accurate delivery of weapons to reduce the cost per target. The requirements were finalized in 1963 and in 1964, the Navy announced the VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) competition. Contrary to USAF philosophy, which was to employ only supersonic fighter bombers such as the F-105 Thunderchief and F-100 Super Sabre, the Navy felt that a subsonic design could carry the most payload the farthest distance.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2886/screen006ye7.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen006ye7.jpg)
To minimize costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs. Vought, Douglas Aircraft, Grumman, and North American Aviation responded. The Vought proposal was based on the successful F-8 Crusader fighter, having a similar configuration, but more short and stubby, with a rounded nose. It was selected as the winner on 11 February 1964, and on 19 March the company received a contract for the initial batch of aircraft, designated A-7. In 1965, the aircraft received the popular name Corsair II, after Vought's highly successful F4U Corsair of World War II.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/316/screen007rm7.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen007rm7.jpg)
The first U.S. Navy A-7As were deployed to Vietnam in 1967 with VA-147 Argonauts aboard USS Ranger. The aircraft made their first combat sortie on 4 December 1967. In the following months, VA-147 flew around 1,400 sorties losing only one aircraft. In January 1968, USS Ranger participated in the incident surrounding the capture of USS Pueblo in the Sea of Japan by North Korea. The Navy's improved A-7B model arrived in Vietnam in early 1969, with the definitive A-7E following in 1971. The U.S. Navy's first A-7 loss occurred on 22 December 1967, less than three weeks after entering combat.
Our A7 Corsair II wears the tags as assigned to the USS Saratoga. It is equipped with 6 Sidewinder missles and 6 MK82 Iron Bombs. The ability to drop cluster munitions, as well as, napalm canisters is also available. Look for this fine aircraft on a carrier near you soon!
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6177/screen003zd5.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen003zd5.jpg)
In 1962, the United States Navy began preliminary work on VAX (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Experimental), a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk with greater range and payload. A particular emphasis was placed on accurate delivery of weapons to reduce the cost per target. The requirements were finalized in 1963 and in 1964, the Navy announced the VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) competition. Contrary to USAF philosophy, which was to employ only supersonic fighter bombers such as the F-105 Thunderchief and F-100 Super Sabre, the Navy felt that a subsonic design could carry the most payload the farthest distance.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2886/screen006ye7.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen006ye7.jpg)
To minimize costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs. Vought, Douglas Aircraft, Grumman, and North American Aviation responded. The Vought proposal was based on the successful F-8 Crusader fighter, having a similar configuration, but more short and stubby, with a rounded nose. It was selected as the winner on 11 February 1964, and on 19 March the company received a contract for the initial batch of aircraft, designated A-7. In 1965, the aircraft received the popular name Corsair II, after Vought's highly successful F4U Corsair of World War II.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/316/screen007rm7.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen007rm7.jpg)
The first U.S. Navy A-7As were deployed to Vietnam in 1967 with VA-147 Argonauts aboard USS Ranger. The aircraft made their first combat sortie on 4 December 1967. In the following months, VA-147 flew around 1,400 sorties losing only one aircraft. In January 1968, USS Ranger participated in the incident surrounding the capture of USS Pueblo in the Sea of Japan by North Korea. The Navy's improved A-7B model arrived in Vietnam in early 1969, with the definitive A-7E following in 1971. The U.S. Navy's first A-7 loss occurred on 22 December 1967, less than three weeks after entering combat.
Our A7 Corsair II wears the tags as assigned to the USS Saratoga. It is equipped with 6 Sidewinder missles and 6 MK82 Iron Bombs. The ability to drop cluster munitions, as well as, napalm canisters is also available. Look for this fine aircraft on a carrier near you soon!