February 1991. Under the burning Iraqi sun, dark shadows streak across the vast, golden expanse of desert dunes. In a sky crowded with sleek stealth fighters and state-of-the-art supersonic jets, the US Navy’s Attack Squadron 46’s weapon of choice is perhaps a surprising one: the LTV A-7 Corsair II. Nicknamed the “Short Little Ugly Fella,” it was labeled as too slow and too awkward to be a war hero even in its 1960s heyday – yet here it is three decades on, hurtling towards Saddam Hussein’s forces on the frontlines of Operation Desert Storm.
Speed has never been their strongest suit, but this won’t be a battle won by velocity. As pilots give the command, the A-7s’ mighty payloads come raining down, reaching their targets with unforgiving precision, each explosion confirming their status as “the ultimate bomb truck.”
As their throttles push forward, the Corsairs’ engines are pushed to their limit, echoing across the desert as the pilots get ready to take on their next target. They may be flying an unlikely warrior against one of the largest armies in the world, but they are determined to prove these rugged underdogs still have some fight left in them…
—
Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.
source
The A7 was the best ground attack aircraft until the Warthog came along
I was an AE in VA-174 back in 1970 when we got the first A-7Es. Never heard them called SLUFs.
"Fellow"
Ugly? I think it's a good looking airplane.
An early Ford 150… imagine if they could build an automobile cheaply with no emissions
This is the U.S. military desist or heed to..this will be your last warning…the west is the best
I have always loved the way the A 7 looked in USAF jungle camouflage! Loved the way it looks chock full of bombs!! Last one I saw live was at Ft Riley, Ks. In 1986, a few ANG A 7s overflew me! But I had the drop on them with my M 919 concrete mobile mixer water hose!! 😆😅😂😂 Those guys wagged their wings for me! Frikkin' awesome!
We used to call the A-7 a man eater. If you got too close to that big intake then you could get sucked up in an instant. The A-7 was a very tough and very capable airframe in it's time.
Great video about an under appreciated (by the public at least) navy workhorse. My only question is why, oh why, do you keep showing F9F Cougars in the video when the narrative has nothing to do with the older Grumman fighter?
You forgot Mighty in front of the MIGHTY A7 Corsair II’s name!!!! It could fight its way in, drop precision laser guided bombs and fight its way out! Also, don’t forget that MIGHTY Allison TF41 turbofan engine! Powerful and reliable! Unlike the original Puff and Wheeze TF30!!!! And that Vulcan 20mm gun…….a simple way to say I love you to your target
If memory serves? I recall an F4 U made the last all props guns kills in one of Cent America's football wars? like the 70's? or later 60's?
I never appreciated the A7's jets enough? and I grew up as a kid with Men who knew, Built them, flew, they just knew. I guess I asked to much about history? as a kid in the 60's to 80's?
I was in VA-146 on the USS Constellation in the 70's with the A-7E Corsair II. After 50 years in aviation the A-7 still stands out as the one of the finest planes I've operated and worked on. We never considered it ugly, just a rugged aircraft that would bring the pilot home in one piece after a combat mission.
Great, powerful war plane. Supported us many times in Vietnam.
My cousin swore that the SLUF could eat a full grown man, without breaking. He said he watched it happen once.
5:27 yea yea that was the name… lets stick with that one
yet unfortunately we lost 2 North Vietnam
If the A-7 was ugly, does that mean the F-8 was too?
'
still good and pretty nice jetfighter planes…
not ugly
VA-93 USS Midway (82-86) A-7E my first Navy jet
There are no ugly aircraft – only a lack of appreciation for industrial beauty.
2:35 Ah, yes! Here's the table of drag co-efficients that I was looking for! Right here, in this Contemporary Civilizations reference text!
LOL