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A-7E load outs Mid 80s-90


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Hi guys,

I am wanting to build an A-7E from VA-93 right before decomm in 1986. Much like my intruder where you guys suggested a SU-CAP load out I want something interesting/not typical on this. 

 

Any ideas of something cool? I was thinking a couple HARMs could be cool with some rockeye. Anyone know of where to get HARM adapters in 1/48. Or maybe some blue body/grey tail 500lb practice weapons and a tacts pod.

 

Any other cool ideas?

 

Cheers

Tom

 

 

 

 

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You have picked an airframe with a lot....I mean a lot of options.

 

Cool?  Whatever catches you eye and screams "cool'...that's the one.  

 

https://www.key.aero/forum/modern-military-aviation/127603-amazing-weapons-loads-a-7-corsair-ii

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/281365-a-7e-loadout/

https://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/90514.aspx

https://www.google.com/search?q=A-7E+loadout&newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwismPaHzY74AhWciv0HHWw-Bi44HhD8BSgBegQIARAD&biw=1916&bih=857&dpr=1

https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-81.htm

https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-72.htm

https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-27.htm

https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-15.htm

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/302800-132-trumpeter-a-7e-in-flight/&tab=comments#comment-2900511

 

Cheers

Collin

 

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Thanks collin,

I will check those out. 

 

By cool I mean something like the SU-CAP loadout on the intruder that I believe you suggested to me. Stuff that isnt normally seen, but is real. Asymmetric loads seem to take my fancy. Something more exciting than the standard mk82 and nothing else bomb truck.

 

Cheers for the help mate.

Tom

 

 

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SuCAP is a balance of a number/type of weapons Vs. potential target, and time-on-station/bring back, deck cycle timing, tanker support.

 

When I planned S-3's, F-18's (baby), and F-14's I took all the above into account.  That is still being done with Navy and USAF (and other country assets) out here in theater (my current deployed job).

 

Never had A-7E's specifically to plan (I'm NOT that old), but they couldn't use Harpoon, not really a primary LGB player (although they could carry and buddy drop), didn't have LMAV (AGM-65E) or IR MAV (AGM-65F)...although they were tested on the platform.  The A-7E was an excellent....excellent day/VFR bomb truck.  

 

Mid-80's SuCAP load for a A-7E from my cheap seat:  MK-20 ROCKEYE is primary.  Large area of impact per weapon, probably loaded on the parent rack (if not parent rack, 1, 2, or 3 on a TER).  MK-82's either slick or SE fins, most likely parent rack.  

 

Depending on the carrier, one or a pair of fuel tanks.  A-7 had great gas mileage but if they were put up there for a double cycle...the gas bags help limit the gas they would need from a buddy store aircraft.

 

AGM-45 Shrike....you can see from this link that could be an option.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A-7E_VA-72_on_USS_America_(CV-66)_Apr_1986.JPEG  If there is no major electronic threat or target (meaning a shipboard radar to shoot at) from the potential attacking vessels, that wouldn't be loaded. AGM-88 later in the A-7E's career, but again...probably not on a SuCAP sortie.  https://nara.getarchive.net/media/flight-deck-crew-check-an-a-7e-corsair-ii-aircraft-aboard-the-aircraft-carrier-958aec?zoom=true

 

 

Walleye use, again...big bomb that would be reserved for dedicated use (it's heavy), and the same goes for larger MK-80 series.  In the Gulf when IRN ship targets were attacked on purpose...they loaded out A-7E's with heavy ordnance, but that's not what you need for a SuCAP where you are just out there to be the first to engage and await the full weight of the AirWing.  

 

A-7E squadrons did have the AN/AAR-45 LANA Navigation Pod.  Might be an options (it's loaded on the right inboard station, so I think (not sure) a drop tank is needed to offset on the left inboard station).  

VA-66 A-7E Corsair II AG-301 in-flight with VA-66 A-7E AG-302

  

Some "cool" Libya A-7E loads here (may not be SuCAP...but still cool). https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-81.htm

 

Don't forget AIM-9L...one or two carried. https://nara.getarchive.net/media/aviation-ordnancemen-aboard-the-aircraft-carrier-uss-america-cv-66-remove-an-0be6b7?zoom=true 

 

Drop tank and buddy store is always unique: https://nara.getarchive.net/media/ph2-tracy-lee-didas-atlantic-oceanan-attack-squadron-72-va-72-a-7e-corsair-4e4e04?zoom=true

 

At the end of the day....you have to bring it all back to the boat to land.  So you won't go out loaded for bear, just enough to blunt the attack or threat.  

 

Interesting read:

 

https://warisboring.com/smoke-em/

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/flight-journal/20180401/281513636611893

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers

Collin

 

 

 

 

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52 minutes ago, Collin said:

Never had A-7E's specifically to plan (I'm NOT that old),


Well I AM that old - I worked at LTV on A-7D & E programs (and S-3) back in the early/mid 70s. 🧑‍🦽

 

wrt LGB the D models did carry Pave Penny at one point in their service career. 

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When I was in A-7E's (VA-82 from 84 to 87) our SUCAP load out was as follows;

 

Station 1 - SUU-44 Flare Pod on centerline TER station, loaded with 8 x Mk 45 paraflares

Station 2 and 7 - Mk 20 Rockeye

Station 3 or 6 - Drop Tank (only 1 x drop tank per plane)

Station 4 or 5 - 1 x AIM-9M Sidewinder

 

We never loaded HARM's as part of the SUCAP alert load but we did have other alert loads, they are as follow;

 

SEAD Alert (for when we were off the coast of few mid eastern country)

 

Station 1 and 8 - 2 x CBU-59 APAM slant loaded on a TER (centerline and outboard TER stations loaded)

Station 2 and 7 - AGM-88 HARM

Station 3 and 6 - CBU-59 APAM loaded on parent rack

Station 4 and 5 - AIM-9M

 

Alert Load when we were off the coast certain mid-eastern country during an airliner hijacking;

 

Stations 1/2/3/6/7/8 - Mk 84 (TP Bomb Body) with conical fin and M904E4/Mk 376 fuzing

Station 4 and 5 - AIM-9M

 

Alert CAP (for when the Tomcat's were grounded)

 

Station 1 and 8 - AIM-9M on ADU-299 and LAU-7 (just like how the A-4's fly their TACTS Pods)

Station 4 and 5 - AIM-9M

 

All alert loads had 1,000 rounds of 20mm (M55 and M56 mix) and 40 chaff/20 Flare (each bucket would have 10 MJU-8/B flares and 20 RR-129 or RR-144 chaff)

 

If you want other load outs other than alert loads we regularly flew the following weapons;

 

Mk 80 Series GP Bombs, both conical and retarted finned

Walleye with ERDL Pod

GBU-10/12/16

Mk 20 Rockeye

CBU-59 APAM

AGM-45 Shrike

AGM-88 HARM

Mk 52/55 Mines

Mk 60 Captor Mines

Destructor/Quickstrike Mines

 

We normally didn't do a lot of mixing except for Cluster Bombs with AGM-45/88's

 

hth

GW

 

 

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Thanks everybody for the fantastic ideas and info. 

 

Especially thanks to Collin and Regdog. 

 

Leaning towards a SEAD mission loadout. Something with HARM and rockeye. 

 

Would you guys normally be loading the MK20 on MER or TERs? Was the middle wing pylon often removed? I think i will load the following

2 x AIM9,

2 x HARM  

2 x TER with 2 x MK20 slant loaded each.

 

What pylons would they nornally be loaded on to? 

 

 

 

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I built this OOB on commission for a local Hobby Shop owner that use to be in this squadron in the early 80's and requested this very load out.

 

The bombs and rocket pods however are aftermarket.

 

20150207_170941

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9 hours ago, tomthegrom said:

Thanks everybody for the fantastic ideas and info. 

 

Especially thanks to Collin and Regdog. 

 

Leaning towards a SEAD mission loadout. Something with HARM and rockeye. 

 

Would you guys normally be loading the MK20 on MER or TERs? Was the middle wing pylon often removed? I think i will load the following

2 x AIM9,

2 x HARM  

2 x TER with 2 x MK20 slant loaded each.

 

What pylons would they nornally be loaded on to? 

 

 

 

For the load you want the stations would be;

 

Stat 1/8 (outboard stations) - Mk 20 on TER, slant load with centerline and outboard TER stations loaded

Stat 2/7 (Midboard stations - AGM-88 HARM

Stat 4/5 (fuselage stations) - AIM-9M

 

We never removed pylons, the only squadrons I've heard of doing that was VA-46 and 72 during Desert Storm. Removing the pylons was a huge PITA so it wasn't a common thing to do.

 

hth

GW

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Tom if you are looking for another cool idea how the A-7Cwith VA-82 during Vietnam in 1972:

 

http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA821972/A7No3and6.jpg

 

the reasoning for the removal of the inboard pylons can be found here:

 

http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA821972/

 

just scroll down a little, he also reports on his missions giving loads. Other loads are here:

 

51363400345_a350f58afc_h.jpg

 

Jari

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22 hours ago, Finn said:

the reasoning for the removal of the inboard pylons can be found here:

 

http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA821972/

 

If I may, the reason for removing stations 3 and 6 stated in the link is for the A-7C and did not apply to the A-7E. A-7E's regularly carried either drop tanks or "heavy's" on the inboard stations.

Edited by GW8345
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