During my Navy years in the A-7 community, I always wondered where the pilots fit their balls in the cockpit. This aircraft was a bomb barge with twin .50 caliber guns, a 20mm Vulcan on the E models, a Sidewinder on the side fuselage mount but that was it. The ONLY combat aircraft more helpless than the A-7 was the A-6!! I don't know how these guys did it!!
@MadTarnsman Well, apparently your seeing eye dog failed to take you around the multiple weapon stations where we usually hung ten 500lb MK-82 bombs, and often a Shrike anti-radiation missile. Everyone is entitled to an opinion of course, but the poor souls on the receiving end of those bombs would probably disagree with your description of "helpless." Since they were blown clear to hell they are not in a position to comment to the contrary.
Great video! I especially liked that the camera (at the end) was mounted in the front, so that you could see the yellowshirts direct the plane to its parking spot after landing on the carrier. Also i dont understand why they called it the SLUF.. Any aircraft that manged to bring the ordnance on target with pinpoint precision, and then being able to bring its crew safely home, is a beautiful aircraft in my book!
When I was on a destroyer we occasionally towed a target sled for A6's and A7's. The sled was about six feet square and the 7's consistently planted bombs right in the middle. A6 bombs went everywhere. I have no idea why.
During my Navy years in the A-7 community, I always wondered where the pilots fit their balls in the cockpit. This aircraft was a bomb barge with twin .50 caliber guns, a 20mm Vulcan on the E models, a Sidewinder on the side fuselage mount but that was it. The ONLY combat aircraft more helpless than the A-7 was the A-6!! I don't know how these guys did it!!
MadTarnsman 2 months ago
@MadTarnsman Well, apparently your seeing eye dog failed to take you around the multiple weapon stations where we usually hung ten 500lb MK-82 bombs, and often a Shrike anti-radiation missile. Everyone is entitled to an opinion of course, but the poor souls on the receiving end of those bombs would probably disagree with your description of "helpless." Since they were blown clear to hell they are not in a position to comment to the contrary.
photoguy73 2 months ago
Still flying from the Hellenic Air Force!!!!!!
TheHwriat 9 months ago
Great video! I especially liked that the camera (at the end) was mounted in the front, so that you could see the yellowshirts direct the plane to its parking spot after landing on the carrier. Also i dont understand why they called it the SLUF.. Any aircraft that manged to bring the ordnance on target with pinpoint precision, and then being able to bring its crew safely home, is a beautiful aircraft in my book!
RickyboyH 2 years ago
I agree!
photoguy73 2 years ago
my day worked on the flight line with A-7's.they look bad ass!he was on the enterprise .R.I.P dad.(AD1 Hurd)
mroots76 2 years ago
SLUFs inbound!
somedaysatan 2 years ago
VA-27 Royal Maces featured on this one... My dads squadron.
pujols2112 2 years ago
plane looks huge, i like it.
adrianrubi 2 years ago
Well, as an A-7 pilot I would have to say it was the superior aircraft, and flown by superior pilots!
photoguy73 3 years ago 2
Awesome vid SLUF driver!
crjaded 2 years ago
@photoguy73 no slack in light attack...
Tarten46 8 months ago
When I was on a destroyer we occasionally towed a target sled for A6's and A7's. The sled was about six feet square and the 7's consistently planted bombs right in the middle. A6 bombs went everywhere. I have no idea why.
flintgrind 3 years ago
LOL 3:12 is the Air Force fight song. Doh !!!
jobu88 3 years ago
True, but I always liked the song, and it's MY video.
flyboy7388 3 years ago
Thanks for all the conversion work and posting this. No appology for quality needed. It captures the feel of the era.
NMERider 4 years ago 2