Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D Corsair II

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

Aircraft: Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D Corsair II

 

Classification: single-seat, light-attack aircraft 

 

Visuals: 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: The A-7D Corsair II was a heavily modified A-7A for the USAF, who had already planned on acquiring the Corsair II back when the flight test program for the YA-7A was still underway. The primary changes between the A-7A and the A-7D were the significantly more powerful Allison TF41 engine, a General Electric M61A1 Vulcan rotary 20mm cannon, the AN/ASN-91 targeting and navigational computer, as well as a HUD as opposed to the older optical sight on the A-7A among several other avionics improvements such as the AN/APN-141 radar altimeter to compute the exact position of the aircraft. 

 

The first two YA-7D prototypes were completed by March 1968, although these were fitted with the TF30-P-8 engine due to Allison’s production issues at the time. The TF41 would only make its way into the A-7D by the third production aircraft (and all subsequent units). The first A-7D fitted with the TF41 engine made its first flight on September 26th, 1968.

 

Although the A-7D retained the same basic dimensions as the A-7A/B models, it was taller due to larger tires and wheels that were installed on the type to cope with the additional weight of this new variant. In addition to the increased weight, the A-7D’s internal fuel capacity was reduced to the use of self-sealing foam filled fuselage tanks.

 

Deliveries of the A-7D began in September 1969 to the 54th Tactical Fighter Wing in Arizona. The type first saw combat with the 354th TFW in Thailand in late 1972, where they flew strikes against targets in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. Over two years of combat in Southeast Asia only four A-7Ds were lost.

 

The final A-7Ds in combat hailed from the 166th TFS and 175 TFS of the Ohio and South Dakota ANG, where they were retired in December of 1989 after involvement in Operation Just Cause in Panama.

 

A total of 459 A-7D Corsair IIs were produced. 

 

Fuel and Oil Data:

Fuel Grade: JP-4

Internal Fuel Capacity: 1425 gallons

Fuel Weight: 9263 lbs (full internal fuel tanks)

Note: Fuel tank partitioning spoilered below:

Spoiler

Total Oil Capacity: 1.5 gallons 

 

Engine Data:

Manufacturer: Allison

Designation: TF41-A-1 

Type: axial-flow turbofan

Compressor Type: two-spool

Compressor Stages: 3-stage LP, 2-stage IP, 11-stage HP

Combustor type: Cannular

Turbine stages: 2-stage LP, 2-stage HP

 

Power Data:

Intermediate Power: 14250 lbf @ 8950 (LP) /12770 (HP) RPM for 30 min usage

Max Continuous Power: 12950 lbf @ 8600 (LP) /12500 (HP) RPM for continuous usage

 

Dimensional Data: 

Length: 46.1 ft

Height: 16.1 ft

Wing Span: 38.7 ft

Wing Area: 375 sq. ft 

Wing Loading: 75.2 lbs/sq. ft @ combat weight

 

Weight Data:

Empty Weight: 19733 lbs

Combat Weight: 28200 lbs

Interdiction Mission Combat Weight: 31000 lbs

Interdiction Mission Takeoff Weight: 34976 lbs

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 39325 lbs (8x Mk.82 bombs + 2x 300 gal tanks)

 

General Performance Data (intermediate power, interdiction mission takeoff weight of 34976 lbs):

Max Speed: 608 knots (1126.02 kph) @ SL

Rate of Climb @ SL:  6600 ft/min (33.53 m/s) 

Time from SL to 20000 ft: 5.0 min

Time from SL to 30000 ft: 10.0 min

Power-off, flaps-up Stall Speed: 135 knots (250.02 kph)

Takeoff Distance (ground run): 3800 ft 

Service Ceiling: 37000 lbs

 

NOTE: exact speed:altitude figures have limited accuracy (+/- 5 knots) due to SAC graph resolution in some instances.

Maximum Speeds (intermediate power, combat weight of 28200 lbs, empty pylons):

At SL: ~568 knots (1051.94 kph)

At 7000 ft: 576 knots (1066.75 kph)

At 10000 ft: ~569 knots (1053.79 kph)

At 20000 ft: ~543 knots (1005.64 kph)

At 30000 ft: ~517 knots (957.48 kph)

At 40000 ft: ~492 knots (911.18 kph)

 

NOTE: exact climb:altitude figures have limited accuracy due to SAC graph resolution.

Rate of Climb (intermediate power, combat weight of 28200 lbs):

At SL: 8000 ft/min (40.64 m/s)

At 10000 ft: ~5500 ft/min (27.94 m/s)

At 20000 ft: ~3750 ft/min (19.05 m/s)

At 30000 ft: ~1600 ft/min (8.13 m/s)

 

NOTE: exact climb:altitude figures have limited accuracy due to SAC graph resolution.

Rate of Climb (intermediate power, maximum takeoff weight of 39325 lbs):

At SL: 5400 ft/min (27.43 m/s)

At 10000 ft: ~3750 ft/min (19.05 m/s)

At 20000 ft: ~2500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)

At 30000 ft: ~750 ft/min (3.81 m/s)

 

Armament: 

Guns: 1x M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon (1000 rounds max, 500 rounds typical)

Missiles:

• 2x AIM-9B/E/J Sidewinders
• AGM-65A/B/D Mavericks

Bomb/Rocket Ordnance: 15000 lbs across 6 pylons

Note: Ordnance stations and types spoilered below:

Spoiler

 

Sources:

[1] Standard Aircraft Characteristics A-7D Corsair II LTV Inc, AFG 2, Vol-1, Addn 59, December 1986

[2] Characteristics Summary A-7D, AFG 1, Addn 95, February 1970

[3] USAF Series A-7D Aircraft Flight Manual, T.O.1A-7D-1, 15 November 1971

[4] A-7 Corsair II in detail & scale by Bert Kinzey, D&S Vol.22, Airlife Publishing, Ltd.

[5] A-7 Corsair II in action by Al Adcock, Aircraft Number 120 squadron/signal publications, 1991, ISBN: 0-89747-272-1

[6] A-7 Corsair II Walk Around Number 44 by Lou Drendel, Squadron/Signal Publications, 2006, ISBN 0-89747-508-9

[7] Vought A-7 Corsair II by Robert F Dorr, Osprey Air Combat, Osprey Publishing Limited, 1985, ISBN: 0-85045-626-6

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Aquilachrysaetos

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[RanchSauce39 397]

A7D Corsair 3d Cockpit ( would be good reference point for a modeller)

 

 

http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/SEAW_tour/SEAW-2.html

 

Edit:

 

 

Also to note

 

 

http://www.aircraftinformation.info/art_A7.htm

 

In 1988 40 A-7Ds and eight A-7Ks were upgraded with the Low Altitude Night Attack (LANA) system which allowed automatic low-altitude flight at night. These aircraft received a forward-looking infrared system, wide-angle head-up display, CP-1117/A mission computer, night vision cockpit lighting, an improved autopilot and a programmable NavWeap Computer.

 

 

Which means just Like some A7E's upgraded with comparable system.

Edited May 13, 2020 by RanchSauce39

[RanchSauce39 397]

On 01/08/2019 at 19:30, Aquilachrysaetos said:

 

 

 

 

Id chime in that the SAC you provided applies to a revised version from the 80s.

 

If you look at earlier SAC  from 1970 the A7D was also able to utilize other muntions like the AGM12 bullpup, and AGM62 walleye glide bomb. So the muntions list could be updated.

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/vought/a-7corsairii/a-7d-corsair-ii-characteristics-summary-february-1970.html

 

 

these weapons could also be incldued to allow for additional progression to more advanced types from the 1980s. as you listed. OR otherwise Gajin could just opt to represent an earlier A7D depending on what works for balance depending on how the future A2A and A/G environment will look like.

Edited August 3, 2019 by RanchSauce39

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

2 hours ago, RanchSauce39 said:

 

 

ID also throw in that the SAC you provided applies to a revised one from the 80s.

 

If you look at earlier SAC  from 1979 A7D was also able to utilize other muntions like the AGM12 bullpup, and AGM62 walleye glide bomb. So the muntions list could be updated.

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/vought/a-7corsairii/a-7d-corsair-ii-characteristics-summary-february-1970.html

 

 

these weapons could also be incldued to allow for additional progression to more advanced types from the 1980s. as you listed. OR otherwise Gajin could just to just represent an earlier A7D depending on what works for balance depending on how the future A2A and A/G enviornment will look like,

 

Added to the post.

[Milocat 4,857]

+1, would be a great U.S. jet attacker.

[SpookySkytrain 5]

Yes, this attacker would be an amazing addition to the game, plus it was used very widely along with the E carrier variant. I would enjoy the D more than the a/b as the a and b still have the colts instead of the vulcan. It bring a lot of pre-existing components and will be a nice succession to the skyhawk.

[RanchSauce39 397]

To throw in some sources i found

 

 

A7D Weapons delivery manual  1972 publication, 1978 revision

 

https://mega.nz/file/L3IU3Aia#4FTeEGM0lmrn_eWbyEZK3R93ujow2IP7GQgfSenBiqk

 

A7K  ( 2 seat trainer A7D) weapons delivery manual 1981

 

https://mega.nz/file/Pyw3zIRQ#vE85CTMMkXoiGx76-9dWPH9dbadiIKB5euI7IXftVkI

 

 

Edited May 14, 2020 by RanchSauce39

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[ALIEN109 1,321]

 

https://warthunder.com/en/news/6973/current/

[Cpt_Bel_V 4,790]

@CokeSpray https://warthunder.com/en/news/6973/current/

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the A-7D Corsair II has been added as per update 2.3 Hot Tracks,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.