Ling Temco Vought A-7P Corsair II
The LTV A-7 Corsair II is an American attack aircraft, designed in the 1960s for US Navy order as the successor of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The design was based on the Vought F-8 Crusader fighter. The Corsair II was a simplified, subsonic version of the Crusader. The name Corsair was inherited after the famous, formidable Vought F4U Corsair attack aircraft from the Second World War. The prototype first flew on September 27th, 1965 and in late 1966 the first production aircraft entered service. In December 1967 the first A-7 units appeared in Vietnam, where they proved to be very effective in combat. Initially the A-7A, A-7B and A-7C version for the US Navy were developed, then A-7D, with more advanced engine, avionics and cannon for the USAF, and the ultimate A-7E version for the Navy, which is the carrier – borne version of the A-7D. The production continued until 1984 and 1,589 aircraft of all versions were built. The A-7 aircraft took part in the Vietnam war, invasion on Grenada and the war in Lebanon in 1983, the retaliatory attack on Libya in 1986 and the Desert Storm operation in Iraq in 1991.
Apart from the US, the A-7 were operated by Portugal, Greece and Thailand. In early 1980s the Portuguese Air Force purchased 50 A-7P aircraft, which is the A-7A with improved engine and avionics from the A-7E version. Portugal operated these aircraft till 1999. Displayed aircraft was exchanged for the MiG-21 PFM with the Portuguese Air Force Museum.
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Wingspan: | 11.81 m (36 ft) |
Length: | 14.06 m (46 ft) |
Wing area: | 34.8 sq.m (366 sq. ft) |
Empty weight: | 9,033 kg (19,991 lb) |
Take-off weight: | 19,050 kg (41,998 lb) |
Maximum speed: | 1123 km/h (606 kt) |
Service ceiling: | 12 800 m (42,000 ft) |
Range: | 3600 km (1944 NM) |
Armament: two 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on side pylons and up to 6800 kg (15,000 lb) of ordnance on six underwing pylons (bombs, guided rocket missiles or additional fuel tanks). |
Powerplant: TF30-P-408 turbofan engine, rated at 59,6 kN (13,263 lb) |
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