The Weirdest-Looking Super Attack Aircraft Ever Seen

[@DarkDocsSkies]

Fun video. Loved working with the soundtrack and quick quotes. Some good quotes in there too. I hope you enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families and thank you for tuning in!

[@hdgehog6]

Thank you, Dark, keep 'em comin'!

[@Mosin-lf7wl]

“Like a turd dropping from a tall moose”, hilarious

[@Thisious]

can we get the deet on the soundtrack? thats my jams. got me out here like headbangingcat.mp4

[@gscott5778]

Interesting that the USAF also adopted the A-7 with great sucess, but; that is not mentioned in this story.

[@MOrab46019]

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one with Family and Friends.

[@PetesNikon]

I am proud to say I was part of the team that developed, manufactured and tested the prototype Heads-Up_display. There were several times that serious mistakes were made and trouble was encountered and my work was done to rectify them. We tested the design and it was approved at Patuxent River Naval Test facility. Our designs were adapted into and formed the basis of the A7 Heads-Up-Display. It was the ILAAS project that was mentioned in the commentary. Some of my electronic designs were installed and used on the A7 system of Integrated Light-Attack Avionics System and remained unchanged through the entire production run. I am friends with pilots who flew the plane and I have their praise for what it enabled them to do.

[@hb-ol9oc]

Thank you for your service. Is not something peope talk about but when I see great planes or any kind of great weapons I always think of the tecnical effort behinfd it and the skill and supperb minds behind it. An example: everyone is talking about the Himars capabilities in Ukraine and how it has change the war there, but noone talks about the guys that design and built them. I´m an engineer and understand the amount of work that goes into any project before it is operational, when finish you let someone else operate them. Cheers from Chile.

[@ladydeath4437]

That's amazing!😃 Hats off to you sir.🎩 My country also utilized the A-7 for many years...😊

[@maxsparks5183]

Well aren’t you something. 😏

[@mcleesattic]

My father loved the A-7 so much. He was originally an F-8 driver, test piloted the F-4, and wasn't a fan. I remember him discussing how many toys it had, and with the HUD, he was able to keep his eyes on the prize.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

It always amazed me it could actually get off the ground. 😅

[@BigDaddy_MRI]

This was my bird the A-7E. Remember the A7 was an attack aircraft. I worked on the Heads-Up display (made by The Elliott Company, England), the IBM ASN-91 computer used for navigation and weapons release. My rank was AQ (Aviation Fire Control), so I dealt with the Armament Station Control Unit (ASCU) and was later trained in AIMD for all the automatic test sets. The A-7E could carry twice it's weight in armaments. It was a remarkable aircraft that could take a large amount of damage and still make it back to the carrier. It also was a platform for the fledgling auto hands-off carrier landing system, which is now in use. I'm still in awe with the integrated weapons system that the A7 incorporated. The ASN-91 was a full blown IBM 360 computer, reduced to a military package. It was a 16bit system with core memory, and was unbelievably reliable. The weapons system was sophisticated weapons delivery system that was near perfect accuracy. The old saying about the A7 was, while sitting in the hangar bay, if the drip trays were empty, it needed hydraulic fluid re-fill. While in flight, the hydraulic systems sealed and proved to be very reliable. It was truly an incredible attack aircraft and hated and loved by the pilots. She was a good bird, retired now. I really loved that aircraft. The SLUF was an amazing machine. USN 1970-1977 USS America CVA/CV-66 - Retired and sank off the East Coast, may she Rest in Peace. USS Nimitz CVN-68 - Plank Owner VA-86 Sidewinders God Speed to the VFA-86 Squadron. The best in the fleet. Thank you for this video. Very accurate. Great video!!

[@CaptHollister]

The spiritual descendants of the IBM 360 are the midrange iSeries (aka AS/400). They are the most rugged, utterly reliable servers available from any manufacturers. It is normal for companies to have them running 24/7 year-round, no shutdowns, no restarts. Just take them down a few hours a year to install the latest OS updates, and away you go for another year of faultless service.

[@RANDOMNATION907]

Thank you for your service.

[@TheStefanskoglund1]

@@CaptHollister The AS/400 wasn't really a descendant from the 360 - it was the productized version of IBM's FS (Future Systems) project but intended to replace the mid range 34/36/38 machines. OS/400 is very different from DOS/MVS/z/OS FS was to be the future IBM replacement for the 360.

[@CaptHollister]

@@TheStefanskoglund1 Indeed, which is why I called it the spiritual descendant of the 360 as opposed to a direct descendant. 38s replaced many 360s and were in their turn replaced by 400s. I can actually remember when it didn't yet have a name and was simply referred to as the "Silverlake" computer.

[@touristguy87]

um, any amount of damage that would prevent it from returning to the carrier could be called "too large". Slightly less than that would be "large".

[@ecolvill]

I have a soft spot for the A-7 ever since I was a little boy when my dad took me to an airshow and I got to climb into the cockpit and get my picture taken. One of my better memories with my dad, may he rest in peace. He died just earlier this month, so seeing this brought back a lot of memories.

[@stinkstank5177]

Sorry to hear about you fathers passing, I know how that feels. But those happy memories of shared experiences are comforting! My dad and I loved aviation and airshows also! Tomorrow would have been his 80th birthday, I miss you dad!

[@THX-vb8yz]

I'm so sorry! I still remember the great times with my dad. Miss him dearly, but I will see them one day.

[@tetraxis3011]

Im really sorry for your loss. But you get to keep all those great memories with him.

[@stankygeorge]

My sympathy for the loss of your dad!

[@la_old_salt2241]

Please accept my condolences. God bless.

[@tedd8055]

I was a pneudraulics technician on the A-7D. We deployed from Myrtle Beach Air Force Base to Korat, Thailand and were part of Operation Linebacker II in December 1972. I loved working on the A-7 and our pilots loved flying them. The A-7 had superb avionics. It was also one tough bird that could take some hits. I'm in my seasoned years now but I still have very fond memories of my time with that bird.

[@TimDyb]

I was aboard USS Saratoga '71-'75 and was involved in the Linebacker operations.

[@patoshannessy3775]

Very cool.

[@seektruth3307]

Awesome story and thank you for your service!

[@nostradamus7648]

If I can find one for sale, which engine was the most reliable or easiest to work on? The Pratt and Whitney T-38, the Allison T-41, or the Rolls Royce Spay? Thanks in advance.

[@tedd8055]

@@nostradamus7648 I wish I could help you there but I wasn't a jet engine mechanic. The closest I came to the engine were the 3 hydraulic pumps attached.

[@swampybman7741]

As a Marine UH 34 crew chief that served in country Jan 67 to Feb 68 I always saw the Corsair every now and then around DaNang air base. Taxing down a strip I'd get to watch these ships come in opposite and begin their taxing to hangers. With their cock pit canopies jacked back, I thought it was the coolest plane out there. That open air intake also marked it as "cool". Never forget them. I left Nam before they became a common sight. Still impressive looking to me after all those years ago. Thanks for the memories!

[@im2noob4bronze]

The Hellenic Air Force retired them only in 2013... Since the mid 70s they were the Aegean's best bomber, flying less than 30 feet above the sea with an experienced pilot. Propably our Air Force's most beloved plane, just a gem

[@ntabile]

Someone said earlier that they keep on servicing the plane after low level flight due to saltwater intakes.

[@frankconley6321]

A friend of my dad joked that the Greeks had to keep painting the bottom of these planes as the pilots would keep scraping it off while flying so low.

[@davidcox3076]

The Greeks were smart to keep them flying as long as they did. Heavy weapons load, inexpensive, good performance down on the deck, long range. Nothing fancy but it checked all the boxes for a good strike aircraft.

[@PetesNikon]

Low Level Flying? The A7 had a radar altimeter which fed data to the autopilot and nav computer. The pilot could dial in and select the terrain following mode and select the height above the terrain he wanted to fly. Pilots reported that the ride the plane gave them at 50 foot terrain following was very violent as the plane had to quickly negoiate over very minor defects in the altitude, i.e. trees, houses and even fences.

[@Billswiftgti]

@@PetesNikon yes, you can see "HAF A7 LOW" flying here in KZbin. WARNING: Watching too many HAF low flying videos may get addicting.

[@slaphappyduplenty2436]

The fact that she performed in Desert Storm just seals the deal. When I was a kid, I built a lot of model airplanes. I picked only the coolest looking. But then one day I saw this plane, and I was riveted. It was so ugly to me that I had to build it to see if I could learn to love it, to think it, too, looked cool. That never happened, but it was one of the more fascinating planes I have ever built. I loved it for that reason.

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

What is the difference between Crusader and Corsair? They look the same to me.

[@RO-pg9hw]

@@josepablolunasanchez1283 size for starters, one was an attack plane. The other a fighter. They look very different

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

Still have a few kits. Even have an aftermarket decal set for Brown/Tan VA-46 DS bird.

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

@@josepablolunasanchez1283 about 8' nose to tail. The -7 has a much chubbier fuselage (thicker) & a much bigger intake (turbofan). Then there's the twin nose gear. 🦃🦃

[@tarmaque]

@@josepablolunasanchez1283 The Crusader was considerably larger, for one. The fact that they share that unusual intake under the cockpit tends to make them look more alike than they are. The Crusader is 10 feet longer than the Corsair, although the Corsair has a 4 foot wider wing. They have nearly identical wing area. This is because the Crusader is built to be supersonic, while the Corsair is built for a heavy wingload.

[@leosedf]

I was in the Hellenic Air force, Greek pilots were flying so low on maintenance they were removing pine cones, pieces of fence and they had to desalinate the intake from sea water. Incredible bomber.

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

Many Americans don't appreciate the many maintenance tasks that are constantly performed on all of our equipment. It seems wasteful, but it really isn't. In order to always be prepared to fight 2 wars in separate theaters we need equipment and operators ready to perform better than the enemy.

[@EncrypticMethods]

@@hewhohasnoidentity4377 Trust me, as a US civilian I appreciate the carrier maintenance. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't every Navy aircraft on a carrier required every 2 weeks to be completely overhauled because of sea water?

[@sgtjarrodrayner]

@@EncrypticMethods You’re wrong. They get engine washes, inspections, and other corrosion control measures done on a regular yet painstaking schedule. The preflight and post flight inspections alone are very detailed and specific. You have phase” maintenance where the aircraft will have different systems taken apart or removed and replaced after the plane reaches a certain amount of flight hours or other milestones. Also, a squadron is required to keep a certain amount of planes combat ready, so having too many planes taken apart and stuck in maintenance will get them in trouble.

[@dasczwo]

Well nothing much changed when the greeks got the f-16s: a pair ones almost clipped my snorkel. Glad my ears where underwater. Malakkes. Must have bin 1-2 meters over water. Then they pulled up, almost clipped mount pelion an whent supersonic. Malakkes. Just jealous😂 former gliderpilot here.

[@enesaydn8504]

@@dasczwo maalakaa

[@johnpatterson6205]

I worked in avionics in the USAF back then. I came off of F-4s to the A-7 and from a maintenance man's standpoint, it was a dream come true. Equipment access was so much easier on this bird.

[@davenone7312]

I worked both at Depot and you are so right!

[@jameseast7966]

Yeah that avionics bay in the turtleback was a bitch to work in. We had an open wire from the Tacan to the instrument panel. Had to try to rewire it. This was at Cherry Point MCAS. It was an Rf-4b. We finally had it towed to NARF which was at our base. Took them 2 months to fix. Semper Fi to all.

[@johnpatterson6205]

@@jameseast7966 Yeah, our UHF was under the rear left console. The seat had to be removed before we could access it then we had to reach way back to get it out. One of them took a shell through it (fortunately the shell was a dud) and we had to rewire the mount. I came to hate that aircraft after that.

[@sirclarkmarz]

I worked on F -4s in the Navy had to service components that you couldn't visually see you just had to reach into the access panel and feel your way around this was in the days before tiny little cameras that would let you see what you're doing . I still have scars from that airplane

[@markgarner2725]

When I was assigned to a Navy Hornet squadron, a few of my pilots came from the A-7 community. We called it "the Maneater" because several unlucky Sailors got sucked into the intake along the way. One lucky guy's tool belt got caught on the vortex generator and the pilot was able to shut down the turbine in time to save the guy.

[@inotetsu7656]

Wasn't f8 crusader the man eater?

[@markgarner2725]

@Inotetsu The F-8 may have munched a few unlucky deck hands along the way, but it was the A-7 that we called "the Maneater".

[@jameseast7966]

Because the engine was a turbofan type, and had a chest level, very large intake it was too easy to become a statistic. I was walking back to the island on the Saratoga when a sailor blocked my way and signaled the engine was turning. Thank you sailor. USMC RETIRED.

[@garytodd5605]

Never witnessed a human ingested into the intake in person and don't want to. but have seen it in safety videos. Just like a lint ball being sucked into the vacume cleaner hose.

[@milt6208]

One of the reasons why I didn't choose to be an airman at detailing.

[@bigapple007]

I worked on the A7-D while in the Air Force for 4 years. One of the easiest planes to work on. Loved it.

[@justanotherrandomfilipino9018]

How did she handle?

[@bbb8182]

you lucky duck you

[@rpm12091]

I am trying to locate information on an A7 that crashed in Thailand while on TDY from Myrtle Beach AFB. Sometime in the early 70’s killing the pilot. We called them Sandy’s.

[@carlcantrell4781]

I worked them at Korat, Thailand in 73

[@rpm12091]

@@carlcantrell4781 Do you remember the Myrtle Beach A7 crash?

[@omerashraf9357]

A classic example of don't judge a book by its cover.

[@Petriefied0246]

Just like the British Buccaneer!

[@omerashraf9357]

@@Petriefied0246 the buccaneer is still a much better looking aircraft. Can't find any ugliness in it.

[@johnabbott3896]

One of my favorite, all time aircraft.

[@liamh9814]

I like how it looks.

[@omerashraf9357]

Buccaneer is still a reasonable good looking aircraft

[@carnut015]

The F-8 and the A-7 are throwbacks to an era that we may never see, again. I have a soft spot in my heart for both aircraft.

[@scootergeorge7089]

I worked on the A-4 And A-7. I liked the A-4 more than the A-7.

[@carnut015]

@@scootergeorge7089 Fair enough.

[@taiwandxt6493]

@@scootergeorge7089 Probably because it was easier to work on. Am I correct?

[@scootergeorge7089]

@@taiwandxt6493 - Partially true. Also, Scooters were flown by both Top Gun and the Blue Angels. At NAS Miramar with VFC-13 in hanger 2, we were next door top Top Gun. Also. one of our a-4F was a former Blues aircraft.

[@kevinmckay6815]

Spent 1982-1986 at Nellis AFB with the 4450th TG in support of the A-7's. As I recall these jewels were always mission capable (good for us in supply) and easy to maintain (per my maintenance counterparts). We had the distinction of being the last active USAF unit to operate the A-7 Corsair II.

[@robertcampopiano6001]

A buddy of mine flew them in Desert Storm. He had previously flown A-4s. He loved the A-7. His missions in Desert Storm were, as he put it, “Flying around and blowing shit up.”

[@zonzillamagnus5902]

All based on a lie

[@mackslubnyy]

@@zonzillamagnus5902wrong war bud

[@zonzillamagnus5902]

@@mackslubnyy No it is not the wrong war bud. After the war with Iran, Iraq needed to restore its economy and Kuwait then took it upon themselves to close the ports so Iraq could not export fuel despite them supposedly being allied to defeat Iran. Taking it as a hostile act, Saddam asked the US (who were more allied at the time) if it was ok to invade Kuwait in order to open the ports again. The US told Iraq that they had no interest and would not get involved. Iraq did as they said and immediately the US said that Iraq had invaded Kuwait and would retaliate.

[@theguy9208]

​@@zonzillamagnus5902source: it came to you in a dream?

[@egalwas7998]

Dir ist schon bewusst, dass „scheisse in die Luft jagen“ bedeutete, dass er unschuldige Iraker (auch Kinder) tötete, die mit seinem Land, den USA, absolut nichts zu tun hatten?

[@galacticvagabond9772]

It may not have been as "flashy as some others" but this plane was a beauty in its own right. I was serving on the USS Cook (FF1083) when two Corsair II's did a fly by on us during deployment. They were supposed to be simulating an attack on the ship and a fellow shipmate of mine and myself were stationed on the weather decks just behind the bridge with sound powered phone. We were supposed to let CIC know when the two Corsairs were in visual range. Well, for most of the time we were stationed there nothing happened. Then there was a loud BOOM and the Corsairs shot over us and were out of visual range almost as fast as they appeared. Slow? I suppose so but they were fast enough to catch thee two of us off guard and we were looking for those two planes. That brief moment in my life really left an impression on me to this day, 34 years later I still remember it.

[@michelguevara151]

noice!

[@kennethhamilton5633]

No it wasn't a flashy supersonic in level flight, electronics and missile muscle, just a Volkswagen with a crate motor and angry young men who wanted to fly the Bugatti but got in the Volkswagen and said "HUH, WHA'😳???!! YOOO!!!!😎

[@MaidenHell1977]

Wow, great story! Thanks for sharing!

[@jesusisalive3227]

Slow is a relative term!

[@davehollingsworth3007]

Thank you for your service!

[@arailway8809]

Thanks for the reminder. I had the highly technical role of sweeping floors and changing light bulbs when they were building these A-7's at LTV. For a kid that had been irrigating peanuts the year before, it was a place of wonders. Tough plane. And the steadiest group of men I ever knew.

[@Rikki0]

I was an FO with the 5th Marines in Quang Nam province. My favorites were the AD-4's and A-7's. Unparalleled accuracy and a loiter time that was unbelievable. I always loved working with them. Thanks, zoomies. Becuse of you, a lot of us came home who would not have made it otherwise.

[@jameseast7966]

Semper Fi Marine. A-6 avionics tech here. VMA 225 Danang 69.

[@richardsmith8590]

Should have never been there.

[@theduck1972]

@@richardsmith8590: And right now, I can think of someone else that should have pulled out...

[@commknightj]

When I first moved to Colorado, we lived near the Air National Guard base at Buckley AFB. A-7's would fly over every weekend in formations as tight as what the Thunderbirds do today. I would stand out on the back porch as a teen and marvel at the work these guys were putting in. Literally, the sound of Freedom.

[@zovaynezovanyari5442]

I was a USAF ROMAD at Fort Carson. Lots of those guys were flying south to support our exercises with the army. I loved working with those guys.

[@StoolieP]

Same, lived near Smokey Hill and remember these flying over our house all the time in the 80's.

[@donjackson8357]

I came from an A-5 Vigilante squadron to the as I thought lowly A-7 Corsair II, little did I know this was a low level beast of a machine. As a plane captain and structural mechanic, I really enjoyed working on this airframe. Good memories.

[@kimpedersen9575]

I also was a plane captain and a structural mech. I servied in Cecil field navel air in Jacksonville Florida. 72-76. I loved the A-5, I thought they were cool.

[@donjackson8357]

I was also stationed at Cecil field, I came from N.A.S. Key West in RVAH-5 to Cecil field assigned to VA-66 Waldo's, after FRAMP in VA-174. 77-79@@kimpedersen9575

[@Birdfarmer862]

Some airframe designs go beyond ‘beautiful’ straight to ‘poetry’. The A-5 was one of those birds!

[@donjackson8357]

I heard that man, thats why I fly a ZL1 now!🤣

[@conchfritters01]

Thank you sir!

[@victorjohnson7512]

I worked on the A7E Navy version. It carried as much bombs as the B17 from WW2. It was a tough little bastard. Pilots loved it for low altitude combat.

[@charlesdudek7713]

My brother flew the A7 with the Royal Maces in the 70s and 80s . He definitely liked the plane.

[@mikesmith-wk7vy]

technically so did the A-1 . that ww2 standard didnt mean much for long

[@TheHandystanley]

I too worked on the A7E in VA-122 as a Jet Engine Mechanic

[@deltaromeo6772]

Actually FAR more bombs than a B-17 in WW2. The B-17 in theory could carry more than 8k of bombs, but in practice with the fuel load necessary for ETO missions, usually was restricted to more like 4.5 to 6k, normally using either 500lb or 1000lb bombs, so between 6-12 weapons to achieve that bombload. The A-7 could carry up to 15k of bombs, which if carrying 500lb'ers, would be 30 weapons total. That means it could almost lift it's own empty weight in weapons payload!

[@sukhoisu-27flankerbdude92]

The A-7 Corsair looks so cool, it’s not ugly

[@julianlong4219]

S2 crewman, '59-61, Essex, Randolph. AT-3, both radar and ECM operator. Proud to have served - will never forget pilots and other crewmen. Thanks for video.

[@vermontvermont9292]

A-7 is one of my all time favorite strike aircrafts. I've always liked this plane since I was a little kid. I would love to see one get modernized , and go up against a 4th gen from another country.

[@ninebears7896]

A-7’s leaked hydraulic fluid all the time and everywhere. When they were being replaced by the F-18’s starting in 1982, I asked one of the A-7 pilots if he was ever worried about flying an aircraft that leaked that much, he told me no, when it leaked he knew it had fluid in it. If it didn’t leak, it meant it was out. I remember those A-7 pilots ran circles around our F-18’s at the bombing range for a long while.

[@daviswhite3591]

Due to my volunteer for everything attitude and my MOS I was able to take a lot of rides in several aircraft in Iraq. The CH-53 Sea Stallion was my favorite. She's big, powerfully fast and she has some teeth in her door guns. They leak hydraulic fluid inside the airframe. A lot, especially during take-off. My first time she squirted me I asked the crew chief if it was a problem. He said "NO." I asked why. He said "Leaking is good, if it stops then we are out of fluid. That's bad." I'd take a ride in a 53 again in a heartbeat with a smile and a freedom boner.

[@nohaboy100]

On C141's we used to joke that if everything leaked within limits; on a 12 hour flight the resiviors would be empty. Never worked the A-7 but it was the most unheralded CAS fighter/bomber of its Era in my opinion.

[@rkroz4005]

Just like the Harley's of the era. If it didn't leak You got nervous! 😆

[@MrGaryGG48]

@@rkroz4005 That sounds like English sports cars of the 1950s & 60s. They didn't really need a dip stick. If they leaked oil, they were OK; if they stopped leaking... add oil!! 🤣

[@2-old-Forthischet]

I was a hydraulic tech on B52s, KC135s, C130s, C5s, etc. We had a specialized tools for hydraulic leaks called the the hydraulic rag wrench used to signing off, leaking within limits.

[@madogllewellyn]

This was a true successor to the F4U Corsair's CAS capability!!! The A-7 Corsair II was the cheapest plane to operate in the DoD history if memory serves me correctly.

[@DaveSCameron]

Ya tink?

[@bobtransvaal144]

A1 Skyraider was pretty good CAS

[@Triple_J.1]

@@bobtransvaal144 orher than being vulnerable to small arms fire, due to its size and low speed.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

In that "secret war" in Laos, the A-7 was used for everything from close air support to even dropping supplies in the middle of nowhere. Saw it firsthand. Thanks for a most interesting documentary and all the best.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

They had a "luggage pod" which could be used and dropped. The ANG pilots could stuff a couple weeks of clothes and stuff into one of them.

[@scootergeorge7089]

@@LuvBorderCollies - Used converted 150 gallon drop tanks as baggage containers for the A-4 and TA-4 Skyhawks AKA "Scooters." I forgot what they called the things.

[@cedricliggins7528]

That plan did a lot service back in the day

[@moappleseider1699]

Saw it first hand as in you helped load the planes, or that you flew the planes? Or that you were sneaking "across the fence" yourself?

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

My reply was censored. @@moappleseider1699

[@gregthompson4153]

I was at Vought in 1981-1982 on a special duty assignment with the USAF known as 'Education With Industry' where I rotated through various departments to try and understand their roles in the overall operations of the company. I worked in the cost/price analysis group when they were buying components for the last of the builds....the A7-K

[@jamesbanas1815]

While I was at USAF pilot training in 1970-71 at Reese AFB, TX, I had an opportunity to travel to Dallas Naval Air Station for their open house and airshow. The Blue angels did their show which was, of course, awesome, but then the the Chief Pilot for LTV took an A-7 up and did a single-ship show that made the Blue's show look mundane. The maneuvering and turning and aerobatics was beyond awesome. An aerial show/demonstration that I have never forgotten.

[@rickmurray7123]

I believe it.

[@cellpat2686]

The USAF had some of these stationed in Puerto Rico back when I was a kid. We got the USAF in training flights with the F104 and these A7s. All were loud and I can still hear those booming flybys when I think of them. We ran outside and sometimes even saw their formations as they thundered by. Simply amazing.

[@richardgeorge3136]

I was a jet mech on the F-14 Tomcat and I avoided going anywhere near the A-7. The intake not only looked scary but it was also known as the "Man Eater " as there are no stator guide vanes in front of the 1st stage fan. If you got sucked in there was no chance of survival.

[@hammer48ful]

As a plane captain on the A-7 I grabbed a few guys before they went down the intake. Sometimes on the hanger deck on a hot night I'd sleep in the intake.

[@ecleveland1]

There used to be a video of a guy getting sucked into an intake, he was lucky though because his vest or belt caught on a something inside the intake and saved him. In the video it sure looked like he went thru the engine though. The video may still be on the internet somewhere, I bet it is still used in Navy flight deck operations training.

[@seabass3104]

He was sucked into an A6. It’s on KZbin.

[@robertboyes2505]

I was a AMS in a SH-3H Seaking squadron and my maintenance Chief got my attention on the flight deck aboard the USS Ranger CV-61 in 1982, outside the island, after a meeting with the "Yellow shirts" in flight deck control. Him and I ran across the flight deck towards an A-7 Corsair II, to grab the plane captain of the A-7, before he got sucked through the engine. There was a total of 7 men that grabbed the plane captain from being sucked through the engine and a "Yellow shirt" had to hand single the pilot to turn off the engine and when I pulled the plane captain from the intake, with the 6 other men and he was naked from his waist up ward and white as a ghost. That's how close the plane captain nearly got sucked into a engine of a A-7 Corsair II.

[@disabuser]

@@hammer48ful Shout-out to all alert plane captains! I was an electrician on the A-6 and my closest call working nights on the flight deck was when I almost ran across an A-7 intake during flight ops. I stopped short when I spotted the plane captain moving to intercept me but it was close enough to be a lasting memory.

[@lancervi1762]

I absolutely love the planes everyone said was ugly! The A--7, F-8, A-6, A-10. Love them all!

[@etsequentia6765]

It is absolutely gorgeous as far as I'm concerned.

[@Keltaras]

@@etsequentia6765 Yeah, that thing is genuinely beautiful and stylish!

[@Dave-ty2qp]

You don't know ugly untill you worked on an OV-10 Bronco. But I loved that little FAC.

[@SombraPiloto]

A-10 is the bestest gun with wings ever…

[@erickohlhorst747]

I love the Thunderchief, unfortunately she took the biggest losses but she was also the gal they sent when the fat lady needed to sing.

[@markb4188]

In 1976 my dad was stationed at England AFB in Alexandria Louisiana where the A7 was the primary aircraft there. Our house was very close to the end of the runway, and I remember all of the windows in the house used to shake when one of these aircraft would takeoff. And at night, it was awesome to see the afterburner as the aircraft climbed out.

[@deltaromeo6772]

Surely you must be thinking of some other aircraft if you were seeing afterburners, as the A-7 never had afterburners.

[@thestratblues]

I was at England AFB F/1976 T/1979 23rd MMS squadron. I was a weapons mechanic. We loaded the bombs and ammo and did functional tests on the weapons system. Pulled safety pins at the end of runway. The A7 was a great weapon platform with pin point accuracy. No afterburner though.

[@uncbadguy]

I worked on the A-7 in 1968 & 1969. It was a sweet airplane from the maintenance aspect and our piolets loved it VA-122 Nas Lemoore....

[@johngross8300]

My father worked the A-7 for about thirteen of his 30 years of service. A TAR Sailor, VA-303 Golden Hawks (twice) and VA-305 (LOBO). I served my formative life trying to make him proud of me. . .I did, he just never lived long enough to see the end of my active Navy Career. I Loved the A-7, most fondly the Christmas with Santa taxi in.

[@wildebeest3]

TAR Navy... I lived in the BEQ across the street from VA-303, VA-304. The evening touch and goes made tv watching difficult. I had good friends in both squadrons. Alameda from 1979 to 1986.

[@dannybays7976]

VA-304 here, 1974-1978. A7A/B. A great airplane and CAG 30 rocked!

[@bradmorrison2079]

I was a LOBO from 81 to 84. What was your dad's name

[@Coffeeman-yq6xu]

In 1988, USS Carl Vinson was towing a target for strafing runs for our aircraft. The F-14 tomcat kept missing the target. The A-7 Corsair II hit every single time.

[@dcjway]

I was on the USS Constellation in ‘81-‘82, all the pilots I knew that flew the A-7 loved it.

[@whalecove1283]

Dad was Air Force, lot of shows when we were growing up. Got to quite a few fighters of that era. Great report on an aircraft that served with my father in Vietnam and with my brother in the Middle East. One of my favorites of all time, thanks.

[@reggiehowze1891]

I was a 17 year old black in 1974. So I joined the Navy and became an airdale. On the USS ORISKANY we had A-7s. I'm was a tough plane. All the aircraft on here I had the pleasure of chocking and chaining all these aircraft. F-8 was cool because of the way part of aircraft raised up. Those were the best days of my life

[@robertmorris8997]

Deck ape, eh? Semper Fi ya russ'pickin' Gob Squid!!!! USS Guadalcanal USS Nassau USS Independence HMS Fearless

[@johndimitropoulos7977]

Worked on the A7H in the Hellenic airforce in the 1st and 2nd degree maintenance. This aircraft was so sturdy it could "forgive" alot of flying and maintenance mistakes...........and still came back home for more! I know whoever has worked on it misses it whatever the next airplane he or she moved on.

[@chuniquepaceno470]

Enjoyed it quite a bit as a retired Navy guy who was around these when they were operational. I did chuckle at the statement "with the ability to land and take off from limited spaces" as that doesn't quite cover the hell that a catapult launch or arrested landing inflicts on aircraft.

[@bradleyb.425]

What a great video - so well done. I entered the Navy in 1987 when the Corsair II was at the last stage of being phased out. What an impressive war horse. Thanks for the great vid!

[@laurentj7998]

I always loved the badass design of the Corsair. Certainly one of the most iconic airplane used during the Vietnam war .

[@misterthemad994]

What do you think about his tougher and faster brother the F8 Crusader ?

[@Knightstruth]

My dad bought me a model A7 when I was a kid. He did a camouflaged paintjob on it that made it look so cool that it was one of my favorites. I'll never know why folks call it ugly. I think it's rather graceful looking.

[@lloydmixsr.9764]

I made a 1976 WestPac Cruise onboard USS Ranger CV61, as a Plane Captain on the Flt. Deck. Whenever I was near the intake of the A7's I stayed clear of the intakes, I heard you could be a foot behind the intake and get sucked into the intake. A maneater!!

[@Sammydx1]

I don't know if anyone remembers Matchbox SkyBusters 1980s airplanes. But I loved them I had a whole fleet of camo Corsairs. Great memories

[@Petriefied0246]

I used to have one I'm sure!

[@blkjet117]

I worked on the A-7D & K (two seaters) at Nellis AFB and Tonapah Test Range while in the 4450 TFG, as part of the stealth cover program for the F-117. When we went TDY to RAF Woodbridge or Kadena AB so the pilots could get familiar with our deployment bases we would take our "Klingon Stealth Pods" and make a show of it. I even got to fly one of our K models on an incentive flight. I was surprised at how responsive the controls were, and how forgiving it was. The pilot gave me the controls for 30 minutes over one of the ranges in Nevada, to do what ever I wanted. I had to check the automatic stall recovery built into the aircraft, so I went vertical, and reduced power, and took my hands off the stick. When it lost airspeed, it fell tail first, then automatically lowered the nose, and as it gained sufficient airspeed and lift it leveled off into level flight. It was awesome, and something I hope to never forget.

[@glhx2112]

I always wondered about the F-117 association with Woodbridge........ I spent 5 years at Bentwaters. Interesting times.

[@blkjet117]

@@glhx2112 Did you ever hear about the pilot at Woodbridge that went to pull the emergency brake when taxiing and jettisoned his canopy. He had come from the 4450th TFG and the handle was on the other side as the A-10. He caught a lot of grief over it.

[@jamesboniface8779]

Just got back from a visit to Wright-Patterson AF museum in Dayton. Spent 4 hours and only got through 1/3 of the museum. The aircraft from the 60s and 70s are amazing. Such rapid changes in technology combined with changing geopolitical landscape resulted in some truly unique aircraft. A must visit.

[@15kr]

Love the XB-70!

[@elrobo3568]

I was a crew chief on A-7's and when they were retired and went on to work on F-16's. I previously was a crew chief on F-4's when they were new to the USAF. I liked them all but really loved the F-4.

[@johnslugger]

*I always loved the look of this series of fighter with the big air scope set forward, the F-8 was my favorite. As a kid in the 1960's it was my favorite toy model to build! I also liked the fact it did not use landing flaps but instead the whole wing tilted up. GREAT DESIGN!!!*

[@jacksonlee3771]

That was the F8. The A7 did not have that feature

[@johnslugger]

@@jacksonlee3771 I was taking about the F-8. I should have made it more clear.

[@jacksonlee3771]

@@johnslugger I always thought the A7 was an ugly plane. The F8 just looked fast even while it was on deck. I worked on F14s when I was in the Navy.

[@johnslugger]

@@jacksonlee3771 I always liked the Tomcat. They say it got that name from the all Shock Diamonds in the exhaust. Looked liked a cats tail.

[@privatepilot4064]

@@jacksonlee3771Grumman had a history of naming their designs after the feline family. Hence, the Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, Tigercat, Ag-Cat, etc.

[@byronharano2391]

Both A7 ground and air crewmen all were proud of this light attack strike aircraft. The A7 Corsair II paired with missions alongside the A6 Intruder was a formidable weapon system. By the time I got to my second duty station in 1986. The A7 was being phased out by the then new F/A 18 Hornet at NAS Lemoore, California.

[@paultapper9388]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....I've always loved the look of the A-7.

[@Mosin-lf7wl]

Same!

[@44WarmocK77]

Welcome to the club ^^

[@michaelfrench3396]

Vaught had it right. Both the A4 and the a7 were single engine carrier-based vehicles that could carry between 14,000 and 16,000 lb of ordinance. They were super maneuverable at low level, highly survivable, and cheap to produce. No wonder we drove them out of business 😂

[@donaldgrant9067]

Amen. My father worked at LTV. And that is what happened to the company. And, from what I understood from my father was the CEO bought up a lot of steel companies after Reagan allowed foreign steel to be dumped into the US and basically bankrupt it.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Neither aircraft was super survivable or super maneuverable. No afterburner meant one good turn and done. Also, one engine does not survivability make. Both good bombers in an air supremacy environment though.

[@Primus54]

The A-4 Skyhawk was a Douglas then McDonnell-Douglas produced aircraft, not a Vought product.

[@rayjames6096]

@@Frankie5Angels150 total nonsense

[@thewatcher5271]

@@Primus54 Yeah, You Beat Me To It & With The Correct Renaming As Well. I Love Aviation Too, Thumbs Up!

[@privatepilot4064]

SLUF was an Air Force term. We in the Navy didn’t use that description. Not that I ever heard. And calling it a “fighter” is stretching it. At a minimum it had guns and sidewinders but it wasn’t a master of the dogfight, however as an attack platform it had no match. She was an awesome workhorse and deadly accurate. I was a Blue Diamond with VA-146.

[@BigBrainBrian]

One of my first plastic model aircraft I made, back when it was a new plane. Love it.

[@70mavgr]

My country (Greece) was a major operator of the Corsair II. The last ones where decommissioned in 2014.

[@johnwhite4960]

I would be interested to hear more about your country's fighting vehicles

[@70mavgr]

@@johnwhite4960 Vehicles as in tanks and such? I don't know jack about these. :P I knew about the Corsairs because their base was near my town. Other than that the bulk of our airforce consists of F16's and Mirage 2000's. We purchased Rafale's from France, don't know how many. Plus the F16's are going through a modernization program with a fancy name i do not recall.

[@navyskaterdude]

I was in an A-7 Corsair ll Squadron out of NAS Lemoore CA. VA-147 "The Argonauts". In 1989 we transitioned to the F/A-18C, a Night Fighter. Those A-7s were beat up & dirty but they could take it

[@glennevans788]

From 1981 to 84 I was at Lemoore with VA-22 "The Fighting Redcocks." When I got out in 84 I saw a F/A-18 in the hanger across from our hanger. It was next to the Navy Lemoore Flying Club where I learned how to fly a Cessna 150 - I'd do touch and goes at Hanford.

[@RANDOMNATION907]

My Dad was an A7 flight simulator instructor at Myrtle Beach AFB, S. Carolina in the late 60s & early 70s. Yes, he trained Navy, Marine & Air Force pilots on the A7 simulator at an Air Force base. We moved onto Langley AFB, Virginia in 1974 as Dad joined two teams of flight simulator instructors, that worked 12hr. shifts, 7 days a week to get the FF (first tactical fighter wing) of F-15's operational. I rarely got to spend time with him for the next 4 years. We (America) _Had_ to get those squadrons of F-15's operational and deployed throughout Europe and Asia as quickly as possible. I remember watching Saigon fall on the evening news in '75. I remember the sense of urgency to get the Eagles deployed. Such frantic times during the height of the Cold War. He later went to work at Lockheed Martin until he retired in 2007. He was a quiet man of German descent. But, when he saw an A7, it drew his attention and he never failed to mutter "those are good planes". He loved the A7's. He would approach them and stare, and if he could, he would put his hand on it.

[@19580822]

I wonder why Marine Corps pilots would train on an A-7 simulator? The Marine Corps never used the A-7. While the Navy opted for the A-7, the Marine Corps opted for a new version of the A-4, the A-4M Skyhawk II. Perhaps the simulator training occurred during the evaluation process. Just wondering.

[@RANDOMNATION907]

@@19580822 Your guess is as good as mine. I know that during a 4th of July gathering, all of the pilots (trainees) and instructors faced off for a football game and there weren't as many instructors as Navy pilots so the Marine pilots played on my Dads team (instructors). This was in '72-'73 and I was quite young so I may be remembering it a bit wrong. btw, Navy won.

[@tedd8055]

I was stationed at MBAFB in the early 70's. I worked on the A-7D's pneudraulic systems. We deployed to Korat, Thailand in 1972.

[@rickmurray7123]

I flew A's, B's and E's when they first came out. We never saw a simulator. They didn't exist then. First flight was solo in a new type aircraft. Up until that time, it was the way it was.

[@steveschott645]

I love the A-7. I served in an A-7 squadron when I was in the Navy. My squadron was VA-155, known originally as the Kiss of Death, but the name was changed to the Silver Foxes. The A-7 was an awesome attack aircraft. Ugly? I think not. To me the A-7 was a sleek and amazing attack plane. The name Corsair was very fitting for this plane!

[@summertime303]

I served with VA-12. Our squadron was named the Kiss of Death . Our insignia was a skull with red kissing lips emanating from the skull. Stationed in NAS Cecil Field Fl. What was VA-155's tail art? I did two Med cruises on board USS Independence 1970-74. I was an AQ.

[@kennethhamilton5633]

​@@summertime303well well, I was an AQ-F attached at the hip to that stubby bird. Air launched weps, IAWS, troubleshooter slot and final checker, east and west coast. Even slick winged one to do a Robin Olds during a NATO ex. Bent airframe and pilot with a ish eating sweaty grin. As to Es J boxes to ASCUs, TF 30s to 41s and that schlong of a speed brake😮. From brand new to old tired and off to the boneyard,wish my wife was like an A7 we'd still be flying formation😂, haaa thot I'd throw that in there

[@Greg-ri3yf]

A pitbull of an aircraft! Strong, a lot a wind (range), etc.. Worked with them in the 70s and 80s. When they'd catch the wire and go to full power, the torque of the engine would give the airframe a slight lean to the left. Miss those days. Lol.

[@michaelgardner7302]

When I was in High School I was part of an Explorer Post sponsored by LTV in Dallas/Grand Prairie where they were assembling the A7. We had an opportunity to see the assembly line, take a ride in the simulator and see where they tested the cannon out back of the facility. An awesome time and an experience I'll never forget. Especially my time in the simulator where I had trouble keeping the plane above ground! A very forgiving system!! The heads up display made it look like a video game.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

My father and I were fishing on a Coosa River lake in Alabama in 1992 when one of these flew at treetop height off our starboard side. It was going so slow we could see the pilot. The pilot even waived at us.

[@lemarluke6278]

I always wondered why the F-8 and A-7 looked alike. Thank you for a great presentation.

[@robertboyes2505]

The F-8 and the A-7 are basically the same aircraft, but the A-7 is a shorter version of the F-8 Crusader.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Funny mentioning the A4 being phased out, those planes found a lot of happy homes in other military service for many years. As for the A-7, like the A4, it lasted well beyond anyone's projections also serving other country's militaries for many years as well. Tough little machine with a very long and great service life.

[@frankpinmtl]

Correct. Israel retired the last one in 2015

[@SgtFrosty1]

Portugal operated the A-7P (upgraded A-7A frames with the engine and avionics of the A7-E) from 81 to 99 (replaced by F-16s), if i'm not mistaken averaging losses of 1 per year of operation due to accidents. One of the jets that got me into loving aviation

[@MichaelCasanovaMusic]

Argentina and Brazil still use the Skyhawk. And quite a few private contract companies that train active duty pilots use them as aggressor aircraft

[@thex-philethackery4330]

Yep, I was in VC-5 and we had A-4Es and YA-4Js until we decommissioned the squadron in 1992. Loved that little jet.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

@@MichaelCasanovaMusic I love the skyhawk, the scooter is a tough little bird, and I actually fit in the cockpit!

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

When the Alameda naval base was still operational my older brother (who worked as a civilian on the base) took myself and my younger brother fishing on the base shoreline. To get to a certain spot we had to cross the end of the runway. As we drove pass the runway I noticed a sign that said “DO NOT CROSS WHEN RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING “ I mentioned that to my brother who blurted “are they flashing?” I said yes. He stopped and we all turned our heads to the left. There came 2 A-7’s. They purposely stayed low and flew over us at 30 feet or so. OMG what a ride. That poor Camaro shook like a leaf in a tree. To say the least we were scared and awed at the same time. Thank you pilots for making this a fishing trip to remember

[@markfrancis5164]

The A7 Corsair was my first completed and painted large aircraft kit model (not Airfix but an American kit bought in the UK from a department store in the early 70’s) and I loved it for years hanging from my bedroom ceiling. It was dumpy lumpy weird looking aircraft that just looked like it could handle just about anything. The wings, bristling with rockets and bombs captured the fighter bomber look perfectly.

[@travisverlinde191]

When I was about 10 years old I found building models as a hobby, and the A7 coursair 2 was my very 1st

[@kasuraga]

It's incredible how fast aviation technology has advanced in the short time since the first flight.

[@jimwinship7159]

Spent 15 years with the A-7. She was a hydraulic nightmare but if you kept her constantly flying she would go forever.

[@frankpinmtl]

Good comment. I've heard the same thing about the Tomcat. You didn't want them to get cold - switch out the pilots, keep 'em running and they would go

[@tedd8055]

Jim, I worked on the A-7D hydraulic systems in the early 70's. We didn;t have too much of a problem since the ones we got were brand spanking new at the time.

[@tefras14]

I don't know why they call it ugly, i think it looks awesome

[@nicksothep8472]

All the things that make you one of the absolute best content creators on ANY platform: 1) You get straight to the point, no pointless intros, no pointless begging for likes and subscribes and no filler of any kind. 2) Your research is thorough and your scripts clear and dynamic, and as with the previous point, you don't waste any time with anything that isn't necessary, making your videos the perfect length. 3) The visual aspect is always absolutely beautiful, regardless of the subject, it's obvious there's real effort behind these short docs, and it definitely shows and pays off. 4) The music is great, original and always fitting with the theme, sometimes I wish it was a little harder, being a hard techno dj myself, but from a professional standpoint it's actually perfect. 5) Last, but definitely not least, the voice over: I don't know if you use filters or if you "trained" AI to talk this way, or if this is legit your voice, all I know is it's cool as the frozen continent. 6) Bonus point for spacing various different subjects, all really intresting and all explored with the same professional tone. So many channels could learn from you, particularly on point nr 1☠️

[@boydmccollum692]

As a kid, made a model of this plane. It was actually a good looking aircraft.

[@MakintheMeats]

The range of the Corsair 2 was actually 1,070 nmi (1,231 mi, 1,981 km) with maximum internal fuel, and 1,342 nmi (1,544 mi, 2,485 km) with maximum internal and external fuel

[@kundeleczek1]

8000 miles range it is a little to much as for naval aircraft.

[@ADAPTATION7]

I thought that was kind of off as well. This isn't a B747.

[@HailAzathoth]

@@kundeleczek1 no its waaaaaay too much.

[@davesmith9858]

Not even close to 8800 miles!

[@cowboybob7093]

Great channel, pretty ironic that one of the reasons to pay attention is the inevitable Easter egg like that. Srsly I think he puts them in deliberately.

[@utrian4148]

The A-7 is not ugly - it's a beauty!

[@Brickbossman]

Bilt like my ex wife short,fat and mean as hell

[@joeyjamison5772]

Warfare is not about aesthetics, it's about effectiveness.

[@utrian4148]

Right, but doesn't change the fact, that I like its design

[@jessefurqueron5555]

This brought back a few memories. My grandfather, after retiring from the Navy worked for LTV. He had served on New York, Oklahoma (xferred off a month or so pre-Pearl) and various cruisers in WWII as a aircraft mechanic, stripes w superimposed propeller on his one uniform pic I have. He worked at the LTV Longview facility, next to the then named Gregg County airport (also a emergency landing site for the shuttle). If I remember correctly, they made all/part of the tail assembly for the Corsair. I recall going to LTV a few times as a kid (I was raised by my grandparents). Needless to say I had tons of LTV aircraft posters and other materials hanging in my room. Believe I still have my fav one rolled up upstairs. And more than a few of the clear plastic parts tubes w square red caps that got turned into toys (made great “loads” for King Size Matchbox).

[@donzon353]

I had the pleasure of going for a ride in a K model A-7 (two seater) in or around 1984 while stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was a young SSgt assigned to the 4450th Tactical Group and the A-7's flew chase for a then classified project. I didn't perform any maintenance on the A-7's assigned to the unit and actually was discouraged from association with any of the A-7 maintainers. Anyway, I got my opportunity to go a ride on a cold winter day out in the Nellis AFB range. My pilot was LTC Whitten and he gave me one hell of a ride. Something I'll remember and cherish my entire life. Shortly after my ride, both of the K models assigned to the unit developed delamination's in the canopies and the incitive ride program was cancelled.

[@stephengardiner9867]

It was truly a great little aircraft to inherit the name of another great aircraft. This time around, the USAF got to use a Corsair!

[@Roomer645]

As a kid i always LOVED the way it looked, so iconic.

[@etsequentia6765]

I love this plane's looks as well. This design says BUSINESS.

[@ivanmollet2491]

Our local ang went to Nam with F100c 174tfg. They got D's for a couple years after getting back then replaced by the A7. The pilots were really unimpressed "Scotty we got impulse when do we get warp drive" was one of the nicer things said on radio.

[@lordphullautosear]

The Hun was a fine aircraft, following its ancestor the Saber. Those weren't designed as ground attack platforms, and initially weren't, although eventually served in that role at times.

[@grayharker6271]

In 1981 I had the door position jumping from a 141 over ft puke La. When they opened the door and I stood in it. I looked saw one flying right off our wing tip. The pilot gave me a thumbs up and the green light came on!!

[@Gunnl]

i dont find it ugly... i actually like it

[@pascoaiandreta9964]

Very beautiful, I want it as a RC model.

[@cojaxart8986]

I’m so impressed by the video content that supports your narration! Definitely an eye opening series you have here. My heart is way behind your efforts. After spending so much time in the aviation historical field, it’s impressive to see “cut-to-the chase” documentaries! Thanks so much!

[@havocmwf]

This era produced some of the most iconic aircraft: F4 Phantom, A-7 Corsair, OV-1- Bronco, and of course the B52

[@alejandrosalinas9823]

The smaller a-10 warthog

[@MrM1729]

B52 was nicknamed BUFF

[@christopherneufelt8971]

I think the Bronco was the real ugly guy that could do everything. From transport of 4 frogmen to recon. I believe that it was the most well designed aircraft of its kind.

[@5Ring]

I fell in love with the A-7 in 1985. I turned 16 and drove myself to my first airshow. The Michigan National Guard was still flying them, and they did a flight demo. Also present was the Cessna Dragonfly. Another badass subsonic ground support jet.

[@rippenburn]

I love these videos. I remember making so many model kits of the aircraft you feature. Thank you!

[@doug4932]

After countless missions to drop the Thang Hoa Bridge (Dragon's Jaw) during Vietnam War. Four A-7 Corsairs finally did it in Oct 1972 with a combination of 4 Walleye glide bombs and 4 Mk84.

[@nicholasalonzo7824]

I had one , as a toy in the 70s. Lost it after hours and hours of fun. I think it was a matchbook brand. Thanks for a great video.

[@andypeterson8013]

I had a little A7 toy matchbox size also. I had many hours of imaginary flight time on that aircraft also. I was a great pilot! LOL

[@diogenes5381]

Watched them nighttime bombing & strafing targets at Peason Ridge bombing range back in the 70’s. A C-47 loitered above the impact area dropping aerial flares which would light up the night sky. Peason Ridge fire tower was a couple of miles away which when climbed to the top gave a fantastic view. I have seen lit up cockpits from above as the crusaders comin in huggin the treetops made for a unique experience for a date. I have been blessed.

[@Handskemager]

So glad I found your channel, relaxing compared to other more high tempo “Americanized” channels. Love it, keep up the awesome work!

[@Birdfarmer862]

My FAVORITE PHOTO from my Navy Career…one I never got! My naval duties mandated a lot of time on the Bridge of my carriers. I often saw a very curious sight relating to A-7s - a ‘plane captain’ with his own duties complete, tucked snugly in his bird’s intake relaxing! I have thousands of pictures, but never took THAT one…AND IT HAUNTS ME TO THIS DAY.

[@AWormGod]

I personally love the sluf, one of my favorite airframes

[@paoloviti6156]

The Vougt A7 with it's variants was a very liked airplane both by the pilots and the ground crew. propulsion system consisted of a Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-6 turbofan that took advantage of the great efficiency compared to turbojets boasting a greater flight range then any other aircrafts in the US Navy. And it was quite economical to operate compared to the F-14. It did had issues but but did excellent services with the last operational A7 retired May 1991, not bad at all.

[@MIflyer5124]

A little over a year after I graduated from college, as a 2nd Lt USAF engineer, they sent me to Myrtle Beach AFB to get their A-7D's back into the air. It turned out that they were having so many problems with the TF-41 engine that tit had to be pulled out every 100 hours for inspection. Faced with this huge increase in workload, the maintenance troops came up with a labor saving method of yanking the engine. Problem was, that innovation twisted the bleed air ducts that attached to the engine, leading to fears that they would rupture and the hot bleed air would severely damage the airframe. They had something like 80 A-7D's there and only about 35 engines. I managed to find 35 sets of bleed air ducts that were good enough to fly. As to why the TF-41 engines gave so much trouble, I heard that the engine, designed by Rolls Royce and built by Allison, was custom assembled with match drilled assemblies. When they brought them into the USAF depot they took them apart and assumed all parts were interchangeable; as a result they did not go back together properly.

[@TheWhoamaters]

The Corsair II and Super Crusader are genuinely some of my favourite looking jets just because of how different they are

[@walterhefty5618]

My father, a-now retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer, got his start incidentally on both the F-4 Phantom II and the A-7 Corsair II. He focused on the Corsair into the early 80s and then he was sent east to get pushed through the necessary maintenance methods for a new aircraft, his new specialization, the McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Strike Fighter.

[@busterdee8228]

When I was active, I worked out with an A7 pilot. He was humble and likeable, which I found odd for a 'jet jock.' I finally asked him why. He said it was because he has way more fun than fighter pilots did.

[@rickmurray7123]

I would concur with that.

[@algrosskurth7994]

Flew the A7 for several years including Desert Storm. The airframe and the A7 community with VA-46 taught me much. Grateful for the A7 experience before flying F-18s…

[@andypeterson8013]

What was the "normal" combat weight in bombs and what was the Desert Storm "reduced" weight for air frame stress? I was told that the A-7 could not be loaded for full bomb load weight during Desert Storm because of the age and stress on the air frame.

[@algrosskurth7994]

@@andypeterson8013 I never recall being limited in load capacity. We are limited in the max carrier landing weight combination of fuel and ordinance, but I don’t recall that being limited by airframe age…

[@algrosskurth7994]

I do recall 3 mk84 bombs and one fully load drop tank on a cat shot, but as a general rule you weren’t bring them back to ensure your had enough fuel for multiple passes. I vaguely recall bring some heavier ordnance back aboard once because they had enough faith based on performance that I would get aboard first or second pass without having to tank…

[@jimharris8707]

Great video - my dad worked on the A-7 at Vought. I assume the reference to an 8800 mile range is after a dozen or more air refuelings...even the B-2 bomber doesn't have an unrefueled 8800 mile range.

[@rnavstar]

Yeah, the range was around 980 miles.

[@ecleveland1]

This guy's specifications are messed up in a lot of his videos. Even simple things like the A-7s operational range being 8,800 miles, which should be an easy logical catch and should never make it to narration.

[@gerardmdelaney]

@@ecleveland1 Could he have confused the SLUF with the BUFF, which does have up to an 8800 statute mile unrefueled range, depending on version.

[@kontiuka]

Ya, that took me by surprise. It's no where near that.

[@kirbyculp3449]

I 'watch' these vids mostly for comments.

[@davidbaker9089]

I was a crew chief on A7D in 1979, in EAFB, Alex, LA. This base went to a bombing competition many times and took it. Engine swaps were a breeze compared to an F 4 Phantom. Didn’t need a dash 60 either.

[@brianhitchens6978]

My dad was a chief tech writer and field rep for LTV for over 20 years...he trained multiple ANG units on the aircraft weapons' delivery system. If there's such a thing as a "family" plane, the SLUF was that to us. Loved the video - cheers!

[@cerming]

Your dad might have known my uncle who spent his career at LTV working on the weapons systems of the A-7. He loved that plane and was always disappointed that it did not get much love from museums and airshows.

[@larrys9879]

I was transferred from VA-45 to VA-174 which was the first East Coast squadron to receive the new A-7. I was trained by factory reps so I could train new personnel being transferred into the squadron. I was a PO3 Aviation Machinist Mate at the time. The squadron was stationed at NAS Cecil Field at that time. VF- 174 was flying the F8 Crusader before being converted to VA-174 after receiving the new A-7.

[@TheHandystanley]

VA-122 NAS Lemoore. Was also a PO3 Aviation Machinist Mate. (1974 to 1978)

[@larrys9879]

@@TheHandystanley I was active duty from 1964-68.

[@jerrydillard2430]

I was a seat mechanic on the A7. Trained at Cecil Field, Fla. Made a west pac cruise 69, 70 then to the Med. Great memories.