Aircraft information
The A-7 offered a plethora of leading-edge avionics compared to contemporary aircraft. This included data link capabilities that, among other features, provided full 'hands-off' carrier landing capability when used in conjunction with its approach power compensator (APC) or autothrottle. Other notable and highly advanced equipment was a projected map display located just below the radar scope. The map display was slaved to the Inertial Navigation System and provided a high-resolution map image of the aircraft's position superimposed over TPC/JNC charts. Moreover, when slaved to the all-axis autopilot, the INS could fly the aircraft 'hands off' to up to nine individual waypoints. Typical inertial drift was minimal for newly manufactured models and the inertial measurement system accepted fly over, radar, and TACAN updates.
Production of Corsairs continued through 1984, with a total of 1,569 aircraft built. The A-7 Corsair has the distinction of being the only United States single-seat jet fighter-bomber of the 1960s that was designed and built for, and deployed directly into, the Vietnam War.
A-7A Corsair II
First production version. Early USN Corsair IIs had two 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons with 250 rounds per gun. Maximum ordnance, carried primarily on the wing pylons, was theoretically 15,000 lb (6,804 kg), but was limited by maximum take-off weight, so the full weapon load could only be carried with greatly reduced internal fuel. The aircraft was equipped with AN/APN-153 navigational radar, AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar, and a separate AN/APQ-99 attack radar; 199 built.
A-7B Corsair II
Uprated TF30-P-8 engine with 12,190 lb/f (54.2 kN) of thrust. In 1971, surviving A-7Bs were further upgraded to TF30-P-408 with 13,390 lb/f (59.6 kN) of thrust; AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar in earlier A-7A is replaced by AN/APQ-116 terrain following radar; 196 built.
A-7P Corsair II
Ex-US Navy A-7A rebuilt for Portugal, 44 refurbished with TF30-P-408 engines and an avionics fit similar to the A-7E.
Simulation system features
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AFCS (Autopilot)
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Tactical Navigation Computer
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Detailed and comprehensive navigation instruments
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Faithful representation of the HSI gauge
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A/G Radar with up to six mode representations within FSX limits(Air to ground ranging, Beacon mode, Ground Mapping, Pencil mode and Terrain Avoidance)
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Projected Map set, with four modes and two ranges set
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Complete representation of the armament panel, with working armament stations, fusing, selection, weapon delivery modes , quantity selection in two different modes select the amount of ordnance to fall per trigger switch, and then again, you can select the amount AND make them fall in pairs or single sequences
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Detailed representation of the aircraft's HUD.
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Detailed electrical and hydraulic systems and panels
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Detailed fuel panel
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Simulated oxygen system
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Detailed cockpit and exterior lights
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Detailed Armament Station Control Unit (ASCU)
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Accurate weapon load-outs controlled by the ASCU
Exterior features
Highly detailed exterior representation of A-7A, A-7B and A-7P which include:
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Working carrier catapult shuttle (A-7A & A-7B)
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Working tail hook
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Working wingfold action
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Accurate external load-outs controlled by the ASCU
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Droppable ordnance in free flights with multiple ordnance release options (ordnance in free flight is a visual effect due to FSX limitations)
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Accurate aircraft lights
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Accurate and highly detailed paint schemes
A-7A
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VA-97 "Warhawks"
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VA-153 "The Blue Tail Flies"
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VA-93 "Ravens"
A-7B
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VA-46 "Clansmen"
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VA-215 "Barn Owls"
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VA-87 "Golden Warriors"
A-7P
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Esquadra 304 "Magnficos" 1998
Manual
A comprehensive user manual is included in PDF format.