- quality handcrafted wooden model military airplanes -
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A-7E Corsair II, US Navy 'Kitty Hawk'
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Scale 1:32 Length 16.5" Wingspan 14.5"
Photography by Action Asia Photo
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In May 1964, a design proposal by the Chance Vought Corporation was accepted by the Navy as the replacement for the A4D Skyhawk. A key factor in the company's successful bid was use of the F-8 Crusader as the basis for their submission, although there were many significant differences. Compared with the F-8, the Vought design (designated the A-7A) had a shorter fuselage with no afterburner, less sweepback on the wing, and no provision for varying the wing incidence. Outboard ailerons, not needed on the F-8, were introduced on the A-7 wing, and the structure was strengthened to allow the wings and fuselage to carry a total ordnance load of 15,000 lbs on eight stations (two fuselage with 500 lb capacity each, two inboard on the wings with 2,500 lb capacity each, and four on the outer wings with 3,500 lb capacity each) for more than 200 combinations of different stores. The first A-7A with an 11,350 lb thrust Pratt and Whitney engine flew in September 1965, and was introduced into Vietnam combat operations in December 1967 where it and subsequent models proved to be one of the most effective close support and strike aircraft used by the Navy in that conflict. The A-7B increased engine thrust to 12,200 lbs with an advanced P&W engine. The A-7D was the USAF version of the Corsair II. The A-7E with the new Allison-built Rolls-Royce Spey engine increased engine power to 14,250 lbs and that engine was also utilized by the A-7D. Sixty early A-7B/A-7E airframes were converted to a two-seat advanced trainer derivative with full operational capability and designated as the TA-7C. The A-7E (whose procurement ended in 1983) incorporated a greatly improved avionics installation including heads-up display, a M-61 multi-barrel cannon, an improved hydraulic system and anti-skid brakes. At the peak of utilization, twenty-two Navy squadrons were equipped with the A-7E. Transition of some of these units to the F/A-18 Hornet began in 1987. The last of 850 A-7s were retired from the Navy's inventory following participation in Desert Storm combat operations. Crew: Pilot only
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