The Hickory Aviation Museum’s A-7A Bureau Number 154345 is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It arrived in March of 2009. We have a number of local pilots that flew the A-7. Coordinated by Kyle & Kregg Kirby.

In 1962, the United States Navy began preliminary work on VAX (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Experimental), a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk with greater range and payload. Particular emphasis was placed on accurate delivery of weapons to reduce the cost per target. The requirements were finalized in 1963, announcing the VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) competition. To minimize costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs. Vought, Douglas Aircraft, Grumman and North American Aviation responded. The Vought proposal was based on the successful Vought F-8 Crusader fighter, having a similar configuration, but shorter and more-stubby, with a rounded nose. It was selected as the winner in 1964, the company received a contract for the initial batch of aircraft, designated A-7. In 1965, the aircraft received the popular name Corsair II, after Vought's highly successful Vought F4U Corsair of World War II. (There was also a Vought O2U Corsair biplane scout and observation aircraft in the 1920s.)