LTV NA-7A Corsair II

A derivative of the F-8 fighter, the Ling Temco Vought A-7 Corsair II rose to prominence during the Vietnam War as a close air support and attack aircraft. The first aircraft with a cockpit featuring the now-common Head-Up Display, it was a lightweight, rock-solid bombing platform. Versions were flown by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and foreign militaries. The first carrier aircraft to use efficient, if not always trouble-free, turbofan engines, it also became an ideal platform for carrying buddy stores to provide in-flight refueling for other aircraft. The Corsair II was retired from Navy service shortly after serving in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The displayed NA-7A, Bureau Number 152658, spent its service life in contractor and Navy testing. Delivered to the Naval Air Test Center in September 1966, it was used for Board of Inspection and Survey trials, and A-7 carrier suitability tests on USS America were performed with it. In 1969, it became the first A-7 powered by the TF41 engine that all future A-7s would use. Extensively modified, it received the special N designation to indicate its permanent assignment to testing activities. After its final flight on 27 October 1978, it was transferred to PRNAM in 1979 after logging 2,579 flight test hours.

Maryland · United States