LTV A-7B "Corsair II"

As part of the Museum’s Adopt-a-Plane program, the LTV A-7B "Corsair II" is graciously  adopted by Pete and Nancy Huff.

The LTV A-7B “Corsair II” is the second model of the subsonic, light attack aircraft used primarily for ground support by the US Navy during the Vietnam War. The A-7 carried 15,000 lbs. of munitions and featured a heads-up display (HUD), an inertial navigation system (INS), and a turbofan engine. The first squadron of A-7Bs deployed aboard the USS Enterprise in 1969.

The reason this jet looks similar to the F-8 is because it is -- just a little shorter. To save development time and money, Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) capitalized on its successful Chance-Vought F-8 “Crusader” design and utilized the same high wing, low horizontal tail, and chin inlet.

The A-7D/K “Corsair II” belonged to the US Air Force and is known by those who flew and maintained her as SLUF, small little ugly...ah...“fella”. 

This LTV A-7B “Corsair II” 154502 last served with the US Navy Attack Squadron VA-46. After being retired from active service, this aircraft served as a prop to practice moving damaged aircraft off a runway. Volunteers with the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation (VAHF) brought the aircraft to Dallas in July 1999. With extensive damage to the fuselage, wing, and tail and the cockpit stripped of instrumentation, the extensive restoration took over five years. The logo on the right side of the tail now pays homage to VAF-305 "Lobos", a Reserve Squadron at NAS Point Mugu, California. The left side of the tail is the logo for the VA-205 "Green Falcons", an attack squadron of the US Naval Reserve, based at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia.

Thanks to our friends at VAHF, the beautifully restored A-7B now resides in the Museum’s Main Gallery, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.