Thank you for your legendary service to the Navy and our country Naval Aviator Fields Richardson! You saved a lot of infantry lives in Nam. I reported aboard Connie in 84 just in time to launch the A-7E before they were retired. I was a green shirt, one of the guys hooking up your nose gear to the catapult shuttle prior to tension and launch. I will always love the Corsair II. The F-8 Crusader was already gone, replaced by the F-14 Tomcat and the SULF was simply unique looking and handling. One of the reasons the nose gear was so far aft was to keep us far away from that big gaping intake. At tension the Corsair driver applies full power and I had to stay next to the nose gear to do my final hookup checks before running amidships to clear. Had I failed to crouch low enough or been to close to the intake I could very easily get sucked right into the engine. It has happened many times and many didn't live to brag about it. Anyway I loved the danger and the sound of the Allison engine. I also loved to watch A-7 recoveries. That little bird would bounce around and rock on it's landing gear like a drunk sailor during a trap. It was fun to watch.
Dominique Stephenson Ive watched Whales trap but it was in daylight and smooth seas. Its a dancer no doubt but im more impressed with the A7 dance. Big seas, no moon, no horizon and pilots shitting themselves = elevated trap speeds. Theres no afterburner so speed is life. They trap so hard and fast the birds off its main mounts, just on the nose gear, dragging its wing tips on the deck while it waddles. Its an incredible amount of violence to be condensed into a couple seconds.
Fantastic interview. I worked on the A-7s as a young engineer right out of school. My group did the flight controls and associated sensors. I've got a rudder pedal from A-7 that says "VOUGHT" right where the pilot puts his/her boot; probably has a scuff mark or two from Mr Richardson's boot! Thanks again for the great story - the A-7 is a great bird in my (non-pilot) opinion.
i love going to this museum, i go a couple times a year and it never gets old. talking to the old pilots and volunteers puts the biggest smile on my face.
This is an aircraft from the golden years of US Navy aviation from my perspective. You had purpose built aircraft for specific missions and they completed those missions in an excellent manner. My dad served onboard the USS Hornet during Vietnam and having gone aboard with him now that it is a museum was a real treat. They have an A-7 in their hangar bay.
Thank you Fields I probably meet you up in Hurst ,Tx I was 1 of the Ord. crews up there checking out are equipment back in the 60's Thank you for the walk around been a long time since we 1st received them
Spent a lot of time working on the E models with VA-146 out of Lemoore. Watched one crash after the pilot punched out on downwind while at Lemoore. Was watching while it happened and was close enough to hear the ejection. It had a flameout on downwind leg. The seatpan hit the ground a few seconds before the pilot in his chute gently touched down. The plane came down, bounced once and became airborne again before coming down again and crashing and catching on fire.
I was a ADJ 3 on the A7B during 1968 thru 71, VA-155 Silver foxes. Great memories such as sleeping in the intake on the hanger deck during storms. Great plane, Tf30-p8 engine.
I was also an ADJ3 with VA155 from 71-74. Me too I took a few turbo naps in the intake between combat sortie in Vietnam aboard USS Oriskany. VA155 based out of Lemoore CA.
I knew the A-7 well. TOO WELL! I washed them. I installed ejection seats. I changed tires. I changed brakes. I painted them. I changed out a shitload of fkd up canopies. I pumped 1000's of gallons of fuel and hydraulic fluid into them. I pumped thousands of liters of liquid oxygen into them. I know I fixed a lot of those fkd up retractable steps. I wrestled canopy seals. Aaaaw I don't have all fkn day. Thanks for the healthy dose of nostalgia, Admiral. If you ever launched from VA-122 flight-line, from 1968 to 1970, there's a good chance I was there. If you ever launched one of my ejection seats, I'm pretty sure some one would have told me before the inquiry, and that didn't happen. God bless you Sir!
Thanks for your service and sharing your memories, sir! Great video. Mr. Richardson seems like a very down to earth man and I could listen to his stories all day. Thank you for sharing this interview!
@@sidv4615 I believe my first takeoff was in mil power in the B model, 2 seater instructor in back. The 2nd flight was in AB and definitely felt the difference!
Insane QUALITY PIC Eric, I'm casting from phone 📱 to huge beast of a TV 📺, very modern 🤣💯💯🇬🇧 stunning crystal clear, always loved the Corsair, that wing function is genius. 🇺🇲🙏👍💯❤🇬🇧
I started out my Navy career in VA-153 Blue Tail Flies we had A7-A's and transitioned to the A7-B's right before my second cruise with them. I was an ADJ and the big difference between the A's and the B's was the engine I guess went from the old Pratt & Whitney TF30-P6 to the Pratt and Whitney TF30-P408.I ended up working on A7 - A, B and the two seat TA7-C finally ended up on the A7-E and the TF41 engine. I did transition to the F/A-18 and made a Med Cruise on Coral Sea CVA-43 in 1985/86.
I was an AMH for VA-125 at Lemoore NAS in the Air Frames shop and later went to the Line Division as a Troubleshooter. Made several trips to El Centro and Fallon (and of course the Mustang Ranch). I skated thru the Vietnam war by requesting an extension of duty at VA-125 a couple times then finally with 6 months to go, duration of enlistment. I was a hard working sailor with good quarterly marks and so was approved each time. VA-125 was a RAG outfit and never did a WestPac. Time in the command was 1970 to 1973.
Good friend of mine had a Corsair snap into a tumble with an asymmetric bomb load during a high g turn. Luckily he had the altitude to recover without incident. He said this jet beat the pants off the A4 it was designed to replace......he said it'd have been better with a more powerful engine though.
Thank you for getting this great interview! There's a flight simulator called DCS that's making an A-7 module. I look forward to experimenting with that to get some detailed understanding of the things Mr. Richardson talked about. Thanks again.
I was in the Navy in communications in the Philippines 1970-72. A friend got sent TAD to Hawaii for a few months. When he came back he had a sea bag with 3 cases of Coors. He sold them all for $5.00 a can.
I was a plane captain back in early 70s, VA 174 Cecil field and Yuma DET. then Va 87 uss FDR abd uss America. remember the Coors beer in the store tanks to Jacksonville from Yuma. Always love the A7s
Excellent video as always! I'm starting to pay attention to the A-7 a little more. It seems as if the Corsair II is sort of, the forgotten aircraft of the Vietnam War. With more attention to the F-4, F-8, F-105, and Huey, it seems to be placed on the back burner so to speak.
Bluenose352 A fella by the name Leenhouts owns the world record for Carrier traps. He got most of them in the A7. You didnt see much overturn in A7 pilots. Youd see them move to the VF community for a tour then come back to the A7. Not many warbirds with one crewman which was a huge draw for many. .Airforce used afterburner aircraft for Wild Weasel missions. Navy used the no ab A7 to do a similar mission. VERY risky work with no afterburner and one pair of eyes in the cockpit! A7 drivers were a unique breed. Navy A7s were used in the CAP role when Fighters were grounded. Its the only bird on deck with both gun and air to air missiles other than the VF boys. During the Gulf War Stormin Normin presented a daily press brief. First daylight after opening of the air war the world was shown aircraft delivered weapons being dropped down ventilation shafts, open doors and windows. Much of the video came from A7s assigned to USS Jf Kennedy. They didnt know how good the Iraqi defense was going to be. So they sent in the last two Navy A7 squadrons to open the Navys portion of the air campaign.
One thing not often mentioned is that the A-7 was designed so that most of the avionics could be handled by tech standing on the deck - no workstands needed. The radar was a different story. A major requirement was quick turnaround, and the A-7 met that one with flying colors.
A big thank you to Vought for striving to make great planes post WWII! F8 ruled the skies over SEA, and the A-7 with its loiter and bombing/strafing accuracy, aided Marines and Army on the ground when called upon, as well as aid and comfort to downed pilots in CSAR!
Regulus II. restored by Vought alum. amazing. they also have the Apollo 7 command module, & a P&W J58. (the P&W hangar museum is pretty cool too tho not big) I was there Mar 9, 2016 while the wife did training.
@@ErikJohnston Please do a Regulus video. Most of the folks who worked on Reg are gone now - Pete Curry was one, who passed away Nov 2018 I think, age about 90.
Hi’ in learn aviation videos prepaid, postpaid accnts. in groupware only Sister’s work abroad OFW. However in news presentation flight Navy’s Ship is all good A4-Skyhawks, A5, A6, A7, A10 as Carrier based Aircraft in learn is okay in learn.
That garbage saved our troops on the ground countless times. This isn't a complaint forum here. Putting this aircraft into retirement was very difficult for those that flew them and most everyone butt you. That SLUG was a fine aircraft watch your mouth. You have no rank. wrench, nobody cares to hear your opinion about any fucking thing.
That is possibly the cleanest A7 I have ever seen! The ones we had (A7Es) looked pretty rough when deployed. Nice to see one in a museum restored!!!
Thank you for your legendary service to the Navy and our country Naval Aviator Fields Richardson! You saved a lot of infantry lives in Nam. I reported aboard Connie in 84 just in time to launch the A-7E before they were retired. I was a green shirt, one of the guys hooking up your nose gear to the catapult shuttle prior to tension and launch. I will always love the Corsair II. The F-8 Crusader was already gone, replaced by the F-14 Tomcat and the SULF was simply unique looking and handling. One of the reasons the nose gear was so far aft was to keep us far away from that big gaping intake. At tension the Corsair driver applies full power and I had to stay next to the nose gear to do my final hookup checks before running amidships to clear. Had I failed to crouch low enough or been to close to the intake I could very easily get sucked right into the engine. It has happened many times and many didn't live to brag about it. Anyway I loved the danger and the sound of the Allison engine. I also loved to watch A-7 recoveries. That little bird would bounce around and rock on it's landing gear like a drunk sailor during a trap. It was fun to watch.
Dominique Stephenson Ive watched Whales trap but it was in daylight and smooth seas. Its a dancer no doubt but im more impressed with the A7 dance.
Big seas, no moon, no horizon and pilots shitting themselves = elevated trap speeds. Theres no afterburner so speed is life. They trap so hard and fast the birds off its main mounts, just on the nose gear, dragging its wing tips on the deck while it waddles. Its an incredible amount of violence to be condensed into a couple seconds.
were you there when there was a fire aboard the constitution in '88?
good to see you on video Fields. "Frosty" Dave Olson. Ended up with 3500 hrs (A7 A/B/E/H and TA7C).
Fantastic interview. I worked on the A-7s as a young engineer right out of school. My group did the flight controls and associated sensors. I've got a rudder pedal from A-7 that says "VOUGHT" right where the pilot puts his/her boot; probably has a scuff mark or two from Mr Richardson's boot! Thanks again for the great story - the A-7 is a great bird in my (non-pilot) opinion.
Did you serve aboard any carrier
My fist assignment out of AD A school (1978) was at VA 122 NAS Lemoore working on the A-7E and TA-7C.
i love going to this museum, i go a couple times a year and it never gets old. talking to the old pilots and volunteers puts the biggest smile on my face.
This is an aircraft from the golden years of US Navy aviation from my perspective. You had purpose built aircraft for specific missions and they completed those missions in an excellent manner. My dad served onboard the USS Hornet during Vietnam and having gone aboard with him now that it is a museum was a real treat. They have an A-7 in their hangar bay.
They have the kind of diversity i like. A4, A5, A6, A7, F8, and the mighty tomcat.
Brings back good memories. I was an AMH stationed at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL 1984-1988.
Love the A-7! One of my favorite planes. It really is underappreciated, and I wish there were more videos like this. Great jet!
Thank you Fields I probably meet you up in Hurst ,Tx I was 1 of the Ord. crews up there checking out are equipment back in the 60's Thank you for the walk around been a long time since we 1st received them
Spent a lot of time working on the E models with VA-146 out of Lemoore. Watched one crash after the pilot punched out on downwind while at Lemoore. Was watching while it happened and was close enough to hear the ejection. It had a flameout on downwind leg. The seatpan hit the ground a few seconds before the pilot in his chute gently touched down. The plane came down, bounced once and became airborne again before coming down again and crashing and catching on fire.
I was a ADJ 3 on the A7B during 1968 thru 71, VA-155 Silver foxes. Great memories such as sleeping in the intake on the hanger deck during storms. Great plane, Tf30-p8 engine.
I was also an ADJ3 with VA155 from 71-74. Me too I took a few turbo naps in the intake between combat sortie in Vietnam aboard USS Oriskany. VA155 based out of Lemoore CA.
I knew the A-7 well.
TOO WELL!
I washed them.
I installed ejection seats.
I changed tires.
I changed brakes.
I painted them.
I changed out a shitload of fkd up canopies.
I pumped 1000's of gallons of fuel and hydraulic fluid into them.
I pumped thousands of liters of liquid oxygen into them.
I know I fixed a lot of those fkd up retractable steps.
I wrestled canopy seals.
Aaaaw I don't have all fkn day.
Thanks for the healthy dose of nostalgia, Admiral.
If you ever launched from VA-122 flight-line, from 1968 to 1970, there's a good chance I was there.
If you ever launched one of my ejection seats, I'm pretty sure some one would have told me before the inquiry, and that didn't happen.
God bless you Sir!
I worked on the tf41 engines
@@donwilbur5366 I'm half deaf from those engines🙄
1,553 traps. That is legendary status for a tailhooker
Thanks for your service and sharing your memories, sir!
Great video. Mr. Richardson seems like a very down to earth man and I could listen to his stories all day.
Thank you for sharing this interview!
Nice video. I have about 1700 hours in the Air Force version the A7D before transitioning to the F16. Good memories of flying the SLUF.
How many hours in the viper?
@@sidv4615 about 1800
@@Aero_Tom_F16 what was your first takeoff in the viper like? did you notice the difference between the acceleration?
@@sidv4615 I believe my first takeoff was in mil power in the B model, 2 seater instructor in back. The 2nd flight was in AB and definitely felt the difference!
Great video. Thanks to Mr. Richardson for his service and Thanks to Erik for another walk around.
your very welcome. Glad you liked it
I was the first enlisted man assigned to VA-147, the first A7 squadron. Deployed Nov 67 - May 68. J C Hill was our skipper - the Argonauts !!!
Now the Argonauts are the first squadron to be equipped with the latest F 35s.
btw were you there the koreans shot down the EC-121?
Insane QUALITY PIC Eric, I'm casting from phone 📱 to huge beast of a TV 📺, very modern 🤣💯💯🇬🇧 stunning crystal clear, always loved the Corsair, that wing function is genius. 🇺🇲🙏👍💯❤🇬🇧
I worked on A7-A Corsairs back in the 1970s at NAS Alameda..
I started out my Navy career in VA-153 Blue Tail Flies we had A7-A's and transitioned to the A7-B's right before my second cruise with them. I was an ADJ and the big difference between the A's and the B's was the engine I guess went from the old Pratt & Whitney TF30-P6 to the Pratt and Whitney TF30-P408.I ended up working on A7 - A, B and the two seat TA7-C finally ended up on the A7-E and the TF41 engine. I did transition to the F/A-18 and made a Med Cruise on Coral Sea CVA-43 in 1985/86.
I was an AMH for VA-125 at Lemoore NAS in the Air Frames shop and later went to the Line Division as a Troubleshooter. Made several trips to El Centro and Fallon (and of course the Mustang Ranch). I skated thru the Vietnam war by requesting an extension of duty at VA-125 a couple times then finally with 6 months to go, duration of enlistment. I was a hard working sailor with good quarterly marks and so was approved each time. VA-125 was a RAG outfit and never did a WestPac. Time in the command was 1970 to 1973.
What's your favourite memory in the Navy?
I love your videos and what you do, keeping history and its stories alive, thank you!
Your very welcome Eric. I sure have a fun time making these. I get to meet some great people as well.
Great stories! Actually hearing it from one who flew it is great. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good friend of mine had a Corsair snap into a tumble with an asymmetric bomb load during a high g turn. Luckily he had the altitude to recover without incident. He said this jet beat the pants off the A4 it was designed to replace......he said it'd have been better with a more powerful engine though.
No pilot is ever satisfied with the amount of thrust his plane has. Even raptor guys 😂
Thank you for getting this great interview! There's a flight simulator called DCS that's making an A-7 module. I look forward to experimenting with that to get some detailed understanding of the things Mr. Richardson talked about. Thanks again.
is it out?
Richardson must have been great LSO. I’d like to hear that calm voice on the way in.
Hey Skipper! Glad to see you are well! Former Bluehawk…..
I was in the Navy in communications in the Philippines 1970-72. A friend got sent TAD to Hawaii for a few months. When he came back he had a sea bag with 3 cases of Coors. He sold them all for $5.00 a can.
Captain Fields Richardson among Naval Aviation’s
finest and a dear friend. OZARK Sends
I was a plane captain back in early 70s, VA 174 Cecil field and Yuma DET. then Va 87 uss FDR abd uss America. remember the Coors beer in the store tanks to Jacksonville from Yuma. Always love the A7s
Excellent video as always! I'm starting to pay attention to the A-7 a little more. It seems as if the Corsair II is sort of, the forgotten aircraft of the Vietnam War. With more attention to the F-4, F-8, F-105, and Huey, it seems to be placed on the back burner so to speak.
Bluenose352 A fella by the name Leenhouts owns the world record for Carrier traps. He got most of them in the A7. You didnt see much overturn in A7 pilots. Youd see them move to the VF community for a tour then come back to the A7. Not many warbirds with one crewman which was a huge draw for many. .Airforce used afterburner aircraft for Wild Weasel missions. Navy used the no ab A7 to do a similar mission. VERY risky work with no afterburner and one pair of eyes in the cockpit! A7 drivers were a unique breed.
Navy A7s were used in the CAP role when Fighters were grounded. Its the only bird on deck with both gun and air to air missiles other than the VF boys.
During the Gulf War Stormin Normin presented a daily press brief. First daylight after opening of the air war the world was shown aircraft delivered weapons being dropped down ventilation shafts, open doors and windows. Much of the video came from A7s assigned to USS Jf Kennedy. They didnt know how good the Iraqi defense was going to be. So they sent in the last two Navy A7 squadrons to open the Navys portion of the air campaign.
One thing not often mentioned is that the A-7 was designed so that most of the avionics could be handled by tech standing on the deck - no workstands needed. The radar was a different story. A major requirement was quick turnaround, and the A-7 met that one with flying colors.
@@gordongreninger6109 "A7 drivers were a unique breed. " truee that
This pilot had an interesting story. Thank you.
You bet
I keep falling asleep with this pilot, love the plane by the way.
I live next to Fallon Nevada, home of Top Gun and they have one of these greeting you when you enter the city of Fallon from Highway 50 😎
I was with VA-56, later after I got out, I signed on for 2 years with VA-305
Cool plane✈️.. thanks 👍🇳🇿
Thanks for watching!
A big thank you to Vought for striving to make great planes post WWII! F8 ruled the skies over SEA, and the A-7 with its loiter and bombing/strafing accuracy, aided Marines and Army on the ground when called upon, as well as aid and comfort to downed pilots in CSAR!
Thank you Mr Richardson for your service and passion!
Outstanding! I want to hear more stories :)
They used my F8E crusader at Pax.River NATC MARYLAND as a mule for the A7.
I think I missed how many hours he had logged. But it's obvious he had a lot of time. Interesting airplane. Didn't know too much about them.
Big salute to another valiant knight in flying armor!
Fields R ... one of my Heroes !!
Valiant knight in flying armor right here, folks! Respects!!
1,553 traps? Yowzers! how did he get airborne with his giant steel balls clanging around in the cockpit?!
Add in a few bolters and touch and goes, just amazing.
Excellent!
Right rear of the tail says LOBO, I wonder if this was a VA-305 aircraft?
I know these aircraft were highly exported to our allies. Are any of them still flying?
Portugal was using them but the last A7 were retired in 2007, so the A7 served for 49 years! Greece even used them until 2014!
Thanks for this very informative.
1553 traps. What a legend.
I don't know why, but this is one of my favorite planes of the cold War.
Wow! Is that a Regulus on the starboard side?
It sure is. I've been thinking about doing a walkaround video on that sometime. that would be cool
Regulus II. restored by Vought alum. amazing. they also have the Apollo 7 command module, & a P&W J58. (the P&W hangar museum is pretty cool too tho not big) I was there Mar 9, 2016 while the wife did training.
@@ErikJohnston Please do a Regulus video. Most of the folks who worked on Reg are gone now - Pete Curry was one, who passed away Nov 2018 I think, age about 90.
Good video,good guy,thanks
Always wondered why it didnt have an AB for such a big plane. Seems it could have used one.
Very very good looking attack planes
The A7B at one time a VA205 bird.
I don't believe the Navy had 0/0 ejection until the Hornet.
I was an ame in va-81 and worked on the ejection seats,which was an escapac 1c2 . it did have 0/0 capabilities.
F8s and A7s are some of the baddest looking planes ever, I don’t get why so many thing they are so ugly.
I say this with respect but your rambling. Next time create a script and follow it, it’s hard to follow and hear you!
M Mills Why don’t you just not watch? Seems silly AND disrespectful to make a comment like that.
Hi’ in learn aviation videos prepaid, postpaid accnts. in groupware only Sister’s work abroad OFW. However in news presentation flight Navy’s Ship is all good A4-Skyhawks, A5, A6, A7, A10 as Carrier based Aircraft in learn is okay in learn.
Cant't hear it, sound garbled.
I maintained A-7Ds for a time. Those planes were total garbage.
That garbage saved our troops on the ground countless times. This isn't a complaint forum here. Putting this aircraft into retirement was very difficult for those that flew them and most everyone butt you. That SLUG was a fine aircraft watch your mouth. You have no rank. wrench, nobody cares to hear your opinion about any fucking thing.
@@deanstuder1775 Real nice. Guy has a poor opinion of an inanimate object, and you respond with shitting on enlisted people.
Jackass.
Great video!