Synopsis
A highly detailed, illustrated history of the A-7 Corsair II and its service from the end of the Vietnam War through to Desert Storm., At its peak, in the mid-1980s, some 30 US Navy light attack squadrons flew various versions of the A-7 Corsair II, including six Naval Air Reserve units. Yet, by the time the jet saw its final combat in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, only two fleet squadrons remained - many others having either disestablished or transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet - and both of these units (VA-46 and VA-72) played a major role in the campaign to free Kuwait. This volume covers the A-7 Corsair II and its service with the light attack communities assigned to both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets from the end of the Vietnam War through to Desert Storm, immediately after which the final two fleet units equipped with the jet disestablished. The jet's combat experiences in conflicts during the 1970s (Cambodia), 1980s (Lebanon, Grenada, Libya and Iran) and 1990s (Iraq) are also comprehensively detailed, with numerous first-hand accounts from Naval Aviators who saw action with the A-7 during these campaigns. Finally, 30 full-colour profile artworks and more than 60 photographs illustrate the often colourful schemes worn by the Corsair II during this period. Osprey Combat Aircraft Series, Comprehensive histories of fighting aircraft and their crews, highlighting their vital role in the development of warfare in the 20th and 21st centuries, A unique source of information, researched by recognised experts and brought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves, Concise, authoritative text is supported by up to 30 original colour artworks, specially commissioned scale drawings and the best archival photography from around the world Book jacket., A highly detailed, illustrated history of the A-7 Corsair II and its service from the end of the Vietnam War through to Desert Storm. At the A-7 Corsair II's peak in the mid-1980s, some 30 US Navy squadrons flew various versions of the aircraft, including six Naval Air Reserve units, and many of these units saw action across the Middle East. By the time the jet saw combat in Operation Desert Storm (1991), there remained only two fleet squadrons--many fleet squadrons having either disestablished or transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet--but both of these units (VA-46 and VA-72) played a major role in the campaign to free Kuwait. The book details the technological development and improvements that were introduced to the airframe post-Vietnam (the FLIR targeting pod from 1979 and AGM-88 HARM missile from 1983 being the most important), and how they shaped operational employment of the aircraft. The jet's combat experiences in conflicts during the 1970s (Cambodia), 1980s (Lebanon, Grenada, Libya, and Iran), and 1990s (Iraq) are explained in detail, and Peter Mersky's expert analysis is supported by numerous first-hand accounts from naval aviators that saw action with the A-7 during these campaigns., A highly detailed, illustrated history of the A-7 Corsair II and its service from the end of the Vietnam War through to Desert Storm. At the A-7 Corsair II's peak in the mid-1980s, some 30 US Navy squadrons flew various versions of the aircraft, including six Naval Air Reserve units, and many of these units saw action across the Middle East. By the time the jet saw combat in Operation Desert Storm (1991), there remained only two fleet squadrons--many fleet squadrons having either disestablished or transitioned to the F/A18 Hornet--but both of these units (VA-46 and VA-72) played a major role in the campaign to free Kuwait. The book details the technological development and improvements that were introduced to the airframe post-Vietnam (the FLIR targeting pod from 1979 and AGM-88 HARM missile from 1983 being the most important), and how they shaped operational employment of the aircraft. The jet's combat experiences in conflicts during the 1970s (Cambodia), 1980s (Lebanon, Grenada, Libya, and Iran), and 1990s (Iraq) are explained in detail, and Peter Mersky's expert analysis is supported by numerous first-hand accounts from naval aviators that saw action with the A-7 during these campaigns.
