The LTV A-7 Corsair II was a carrier-borne attack aircraft, which was used by the US Navy and US Air Force during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Despite its stubby appearance, it proved to be one of the most capable attack aircraft in service with the US Navy. Compared to the small A-4 Skyhawk it replaced, the A-7 represented a great leap in technology as it could deliver weapons with an accuracy unheard of in their day. It achieved the lowest loss rate of any aircraft in the Vietnam War. The head-up display, the central navigation and weapon delivery computer, and other avionics innovations were first used on this subsonic aircraft.
The A-7 Corsair II was developed and produced by LTV (Ling-Temco Vought) in the United States of America. The prototype made its maiden flight on September 20, 1965, and the first operational US Navy squadron airplane was delivered in October 1966. It finally entered service on February 1, 1967, as the A-7A Corsair II. The A-7A, A-7B, and A-7E versions took part in the Vietnam War. The first combat mission assigned to this attack aircraft took place in December 1967. The Corsair II was a true naval attack aircraft in every way, flying its last combat sorties during the 1991 Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm). The A-7D and A-7K were the variants used by USAF. It was also employed by the Portuguese and Greek Air Force. A total of 1,545 aircraft was produced between 1965 and 1984.
Technical Description
The LTV A-7 Corsair II was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane designed to operate from aircraft carrier. It had a short, stubby, all-metal fuselage and moderate swept wing, which was mounted on shoulder of fuselage. The wing outer panel could be folded upward to facilitate aircraft stowage beneath the carrier deck. The wing trailing edge was fitted with conventional outboard ailerons and slotted flaps. There were three pylons under each wing for carrying bombs and missiles. The cockpit had an upward hinging canopy, giving pilot excellent visibility. The pilot sat on an Escapat ejection seat. The A-7E version was powered by one Rolls Royce Allison TTF41-A-2 turbofan engine, which delivered 14,979 pounds of thrust. The engine air intake was located on belly of aircraft, under cockpit. The Corsair II had short and sturdy retractable landing gear.
Specifications (A-7E)
Type: carrier-based subsonic attack aircraft
Length: 14.06 m (46 feet, 2 inches)
Wing Span: 11.81 m (38 feet, 9 inches)
Wing Area: 34.83 m2 (375 square feet)
Height: 4.88 m (16 feet)
Power Plant: one 14,979-lb, Rolls Royce Allison TTF41-A-2 turbofan engine
Maximum Speed: 1,123 km/h (698 mph)
Climb Rate: 4,572 m/minute
Service Ceiling: 12,800 m (41,995 feet)
Crew: one
Armament: one M61A1 Vulcan six-barrel 20-mm gun; maximum bomb-load of 6,804 kg (15,000-lb).
 |
| Above, a US Navy's A-7A version flying off the coast of California around 1968. |
 |
| Above, a USAF's A-7D variant makes a pass over a land airbase. |
 |
| A Crusader II taxing towards the runway to take off. |
 |
| A-7 attack aircraft on the flight deck of carrier USS America. |
 |
| A Corsair II in service with the Portuguese Air Force. |