The Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War.
The Corsair was later adopted by the United States Air Force, to include the Air National Guard, to replace the A-1 Skyraider, F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief. The aircraft was also exported to Greece in the 1970s, and Portugal and Thailand in the late 1980s.
The A-7 airframe design was based on the successful supersonic F-8 Crusader produced by Chance Vought. It was one of the first combat aircraft to feature a head-up display (HUD), an inertial navigation system (INS), and a turbofan engine.
The A-7 offered a plethora of leading-edge avionics compared to contemporary aircraft. This included data link capabilities that, among other features, provided fully "hands-off" carrier landing capability when used in conjunction with its approach power compensator (APC) or auto throttle. Other notable and highly advanced equipment was a projected map display located just below the radar scope. The map display was slaved to the inertial navigation system and provided a high-resolution map image of the aircraft's position superimposed over TPC/JNC charts. Moreover, when slaved to the all-axis auto pilot, the inertial navigation system could fly the aircraft "hands off" to up to nine individual way points. Typical inertial drift was minimal for newly manufactured models and the inertial measurement system accepted fly over, radar, and TACAN updates.
Production of Corsairs continued through 1984, yielding a total of 1,569 aircraft built. The A-7 Corsair has the distinction of being the only United States single seat jet fighter-bomber of the 1960s that was designed, built, and deployed directly into the Vietnam War.
Vought A-7 Corsair II
A-7A Corsair II:
First production version. Early USN Corsair IIs had two 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons with 250 rounds per gun. Maximum ordnance, carried primarily on the wing pylons, was theoretically 15,000 lb (6,804 kg), but was limited by maximum takeoff weight, so the full weapon load could only be carried with greatly reduced internal fuel; Equipped with AN/APN-153 navigational radar, AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar, and a separate AN/APQ-99 attack radar; 199 built.
A-7B Corsair II:
Uprated TF30-P-8 engine with 12,190 lbf (54.2 kN) of thrust. In 1971, surviving A-7Bs were further upgraded to TF30-P-408 with 13,390 lbf (59.6 kN) of thrust; AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar in earlier A-7A is replaced by AN/APQ-116 terrain following radar; 196 built.
A-7P Corsair II:
Ex-US Navy A-7A rebuilt for Portugal, 44 refurbished with TF30-P-408 engines and an avionics fit similar to the A-7E.
The RAZBAM A-7A, A-7B and A-7P Corsair II for FSX includes the following amazing features and innovative functions :
Highly detailed exterior and interior models,
Interior and Panel
very comprehensive representation of cockpit systems which include:
AFCS (Autopilot)
- Tactical Navigation Computer
- Detailed and comprehensive navigation instruments
- Faithfull representation of the HSI gauge
- A/G Radar with up to 6 modes representations within FSX limits(Air to ground ranging, Beacon mode, Ground Mapping, Pencil mode & Terrain Advoidance)
- Projected Map set, with 4 modes and 4 ranges set
- Complete representation of the armament panel, with working armament stations, fuzing, selection, weapon delivery modes , quantity selection in 2 different modes select the amount of ordance to fall per trigger switch, and then again, you can select the amount and make them fall in pairs or single sequences
- Detailed representation of the aircraft´s Gunsight.
- Detailed electrical and hydraulic systems and panels
- Detailed fuel panel
- Simulated Oxigen system
- Detailed cockpit and exterior lights
- Detailed Armament Station Control Unit (ASCU)
- Accurate weapon loadouts controlled by the ASCU including orndance weight.
Exterior features:
- Highly detailed exterior representation of A-7A, A-7B and A-7P which include:
- Working carrier catapult shuttle (A-7A & A-7B)
- Working Tail hook
- Working wingfold action
- Accurate external loadouts controled by the ASCU
- Dropable ordnance in free flight´s with multiple ordnance release options (ordnance in freeflight is a visual effect due to FSX limitations)