A-7 Corsair pictures from Facebook

[Navy Chief]

These pictures are from a Facebook forum I belong to. SLUF fans might appreciate seeing these......NC

[PRB]

Nice pics!

[Navy Chief]

Another one from today.... This one was taken of work being done on a A-7 at Cubi Point, PI. Never been there myself, but always wanted to go. But I remember well being underneath those birds, taking off panels.

I was stuck on the East Coast. NC

[Victory103]

Cool NATC with 3 different types in the pic, including my fav...Tomcat.

[Navy Chief]

Go Ordies! Am not sure, but think this was on the Oriskany.....NC .

[Crusader]

" Go Ordies! Am not sure, but think this was on the Oriskany.....NC"

Thanks NC . Now I have my back ache again thinking about the good old days . My MOS was 6511 (Aviation Ordnance) in the Corps and "humped" many bombs , rockets(2.75 and 5" Zuni's) . Also cut the s--t out of my hands on the 20mm belts loading and unloading on the F8"s

Have a great Day . Got to batten down the hatches later on today we might get a few storms coming from the west .

Rich (Great Pics)

[Navy Chief]

A nice closeup

[Navy Chief]

Photos from Facebook today:

[brad kaste]

If someone could explain the shape/visual differences between the Vought F-8 Crusader and the Vought A-7 Corsair? To me,...they look identical twins. In fact,...I think I'd have to take a class just in trying to tell the two apart.
Which flew first? What were their strengths and weaknesses in comparing the two together?
Was one more successful as a pure combat aircraft than the other one?
Which airicraft stayed in service the longest?
Thank you!

[Navy Chief]

If someone could explain the shape/visual differences between the Vought F-8 Crusader and the Vought A-7 Corsair? To me,...they look identical twins. In fact,...I think I'd have to take a class just in trying to tell the two apart.
Which flew first? What were their strengths and weaknesses in comparing the two together?
Was one more successful as a pure combat aircraft than the other one?
Which airicraft stayed in service the longest?
Thank you!

I am sure other USN vets will respond to your questions, but here are some brief answers. Both aircraft were made by Vought. The F-8 came before the A-7. The F-8 was designed as a fighter aircraft. The A-7 was an attack aircraft. They do look similar but put pictures of them side by side, and you will see differences. The
F-8 finished its service with the USN as a reconnaissance aircraft, I believe. The A-7 was retired completely by the Greek Air Force in 2014, I think. The USN retired them around 1991. The F-8 was retired in 1987. A quick explanation, but easy to find the information, and others will respond, I'm sure. NC

[CG_1976]

I saw the A7 about a year ago at NAS Fallon. It was flight of 6 from the AZ Boneyard ReGen. I think they might have been using them as aggressor surprise for the Marines and AF. Navy is well known for tossing surprise's out and on the Range.

[Navy Chief]

I saw the A7 about a year ago at NAS Fallon. It was flight of 6 from the AZ Boneyard ReGen. I think they might have been using them as aggressor surprise for the Marines and AF. Navy is well known for tossing surprise's out and on the Range.

Wow! I had no idea there were any SLUFS still airworthy! NC

Have to wonder if there are any pictures available of these aircraft?

[gray eagle]

I too remember turning those F-8's around with another upload of 20MM, Zunis and Winders on the F8-C. Had to use my speed handle to open the side access panels to the guns and some one would load
a can of ammo above where the guns were and slide the belt of 20MM down the feed chute. Then you armed the gun(s) by hooking up the feed mech and connect the ready safe air connectors and the
the 28VDC electrical connector to the gun (Armed). Before all that, you had to unbutton the brass bay panel located forward just below where the guns were and put your hands deep inside the brass bay
and pull out all the empty 20mm brass into a large bag that the Paraloft guys made for us, we just dumped the brass over the side of the ship. While in the Gulf of Tonkin this went on Saturdays, Sundays and always.

" Go Ordies! Am not sure, but think this was on the Oriskany.....NC"

Thanks NC . Now I have my back ache again thinking about the good old days . My MOS was 6511 (Aviation Ordnance) in the Corps and "humped" many bombs , rockets(2.75 and 5" Zuni's) . Also cut the s--t out of my hands on the 20mm belts loading and unloading on the F8"s

Have a great Day . Got to batten down the hatches later on today we might get a few storms coming from the west .

Rich (Great Pics)

[PRB]

If someone could explain the shape/visual differences between the Vought F-8 Crusader and the Vought A-7 Corsair? To me,...they look identical twins. In fact,...I think I'd have to take a class just in trying to tell the two apart.
Which flew first? What were their strengths and weaknesses in comparing the two together?
Was one more successful as a pure combat aircraft than the other one?
Which airicraft stayed in service the longest?
Thank you!

F-8: slim and pointy. A-7: stubby and roundy ...

[Victory103]

Agree NC, I was sure all of them are in the boneyard with only the Greeks recently putting theirs to bed after many years of faithful service. I can only assume these might be around for the still flying F-117, as most know, the SLUF was used as a trainer for early F-117 pilots. The other idea would be one of the civilian adversary companies purchasing them, but that doesn't make sense as one of them is trying to purchase older F-16As to simulate more modern threat aircraft. Another company plans to purchase the remaining Jordanian F-5s. All the current airframes flown (A-4,L-39/159, Hunter, Kfir,AJet) are easy to maintain, one would think an A-7 would require slightly more ground support.

[Navy Chief]

Another fine VA-83 Rampager picture from Facebook today:

[Victory103]

For NC and the other SLUF drivers, repainter A. Diaz has released several packs of FSX high and low viz paints covering USN squadrons for the base (non-TP) Razbam Corsair II. Find them on flightsim.com
NWC
PMTC
VA-12
VA-15
VA-22 and special camo OP Praying Mantis
VA-27
VA-37
VA-56
VA-66
VA-72
VA-81
VA-82
VA-83
VA-86
VA-87
VA-93
VA-94
VA-97
VA-105
VA-113
VA-122
VA-146
VA-147
VA-174
VA-192
VA-195
VA-204
VA-205
VA-303
VA-304
VX-5

[Navy Chief]

Appreciate the heads up about A. Diaz's efforts/contributions! I downloaded a couple of of them; nice paints! My personal preference, however, is the HiViz paint scheme. Nothing against Antonio's talents! I just like the more colorful HiViz paints!

NC

[PhantomTweak]

Man, some of those pictures, while great, scare the heck outtta me.
We used to call the SLUF the Great White. They probably didn't eat more people than any other plane on the boat, but they had the rep. I stayed the heck away from those planes, especially the front of them. That big, gaping, low placed, intake just looks like it wants to eat someone.
Anyway, thanks for some great pictures!
Pat☺

[Navy Chief]

A paint of VA-153 "Blue Flies" I have never seen. NC

[CG_1976]

Nice picture there Chief. Love NavAir Birds with the Bi-Centennial 76 on the tail. She must been assigned to the USS FDR not TR I assume.

[Navy Chief]

Nice picture there Chief. Love NavAir Birds with the Bi-Centennial 76 on the tail. She must been assigned to the USS FDR not TR I assume.

Undoubtedly. I found the picture on Facebook, and from what little information I could find, that tail symbol was for a brief period only. NC

[Navy Chief]