The SLUF Still Had That New Jet Smell When They Made This Familiarization Film
When the Ling Temco Vought A-7A Corsair II deployed to WestPac with VA-147 Argonauts as part of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in late 1967, fleet replacement training squadrons like VA-122 Flying Eagles (and later VA-125 Rough Raiders) were already in the business of training and qualifying Corsair II pilots in the intricacies of flying the Short Little Ugly “Fellow” (SLUF) around the boat. Vought had plenty of history building great Naval aircraft. The film “A-7 Familiarization” was produced by the Navy to help ensure Naval Aviators had their A-7A Corsair II procedures on lock. The film was uploaded to YouTube by Periscope Film.
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Shot Aboard the Mighty O
The footage for the film as all shot aboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34). The VA-122 and VA-125 jets appearing in the film all have histories. For instance, A-7A 153189 started off with VA-125. She went to VA-153 Blue Tail Flies in 1970 and then went to Vietnam. On 1 November 1971 3189’s nose gear collapsed during launch from USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and the jet ditched in the Gulf of Tonkin in front of the carrier. The pilot, CDR Thomas Frank, did not survive the mishap.
The Longest Serving Jet Appearing in the Film?
A-7B 154400 went to VA-122 in 1969. From there 4400 went to VA-125 in 1973 and then to VA-153 in 1977. On 10 March 1977 the jet was heavily damaged in a mishap aboard the Midway-class aircraft carrier USS Franklin D Roosevelt (CVA-42). After repairs were made 4400 continued her career with VA-153 until 1983.
Portuguese SLUF
A-7A 153227 initially went to VA-125. Between 1967 and 1969 the jet was assigned to VA-147 and went to Vietnam. The aircraft returned and went to the Naval Air Training Center in 1977. In 1978 3227 went to the boneyard for a spell before being sold to the Portuguese Air Force. After refurbishment to A-7P specifications the jet joined the Força Aérea Portuguesa’s 302 Esquadra in 1984. On 9 March 1989 the jet was ditched at sea off Peniche after a birdstrike.
More Portuguese Duty
A-7A 154349 went to VA-125 in 1969. Between 1975 and 1978 the jet served with VA-303 Golden Hawks. 4349 went to the boneyard in January of 1978. 78: In August of 1983 the jet was sold to Portugal and went into service with the Força Aérea Portuguesa’s 302 Esquadra as an A-7P in 1984. On 27 March 1987 the jet was lost in a mishap near Perto de Boticas.
A-7B 154394 went to VA-122 in 1969 and was reassigned to VA-125 in 1970. On 8 March 1970 4394 was written off.
The Final Tally
A-7A 154357 went to VA-125 in 1969. Between 1969 and 1970 the jet served with VA-97 Warhawks. On 2 October 1970 the jet was struck off charge.
A-7B 154393 went to VA-122 in 1969. The jet was then assigned to VA-93 Blue Blazers for their first Vietnam deployment in 1971. On 7 September 1972 4393 crashed into the sea off Hon Nieu Island/Vihn, North Vietnam due to battle damage. The pilot did not survive the mishap.
SLUFs Served For More Than 40 Years!
Sea stories about the SLUF are many and varied– they served in every firefight between Vietnam and the Gulf War. The last Navy A-7s were retired by the last fleet operational squadrons (VA-46 and VA-72) in May 1991 shortly after their return from Operation Desert Storm. Corsair IIs were also operated by Greece as the A-7H and TA-7H (retired in 2014), Portugal as the A-7P and TA-7P (retired in 1999), and Thailand (retired in 2007) The Corsair II served for more than 40 years. The Luftwaffe looked at purchasing the A-7D, as did Switzerland (with enough interest to have the designation A-7G dedicated to potential Swiss SLUFs).
