A-7D Corsair II Fighter
The A-7 was a very capable attack aircraft, bought by both USN and USAF. The design used F-8 Crusader experience in a smaller, subsonic airframe. It was phased out of service recently, but efforts to sell upgraded versions continue. 1551 were built. Began service with Navy, deployed in Southeast Asia by the Air Force in the late summer of 1972, and used in the closing months of the war for tactical bombing and as an escort on gunship missions.
A-1 Skyraider Fighter
Propeller-driven Navy attack bomber, adapted for use by Air Force. Air Commandos flew the A-1E “Spad” two-seat version. The singleseat A-1H “Sandy” flew escort for rescue operations.
Cessna A-37 Dragonfly Fighter
Armed variant of the T-37 jet trainer, it was flown by USAF and the South Vietnamese Air Force. It was an effective performer, both in the attack role and as a forward air control aircraft.
F-4 Phantom Fighter
Best fighter of the Vietnam War and most versatile. Used for air superiority, dropping bombs, reconnaissance, and forward air control. Originally developed by the Navy, adopted by the Air Force and deployed to Southeast Asia in 1965. Early versions relied on missiles in combat, having no guns. The F-4E had a 20 mm cannon. F-4s accounted for 107 of the 137 MiGs shot down by the Air Force.
F-100 Super Sabre Fighter
USAF’s first supersonic fighter. Used extensively on missions over North Vietnam in the early part of the war. F-100F had two cockpits, was flown by the “Misty” forward air controllers.
F-105 Thunderchief
The Lead Sled, The Thud. Signature airplane of the Rolling Thunder campaign from 1965 to 1968. Thuds flew 75 percent of the strikes and took more of the losses over North Vietnam than any other type of airplane. F-105Fs flew as Wild Weasel aircraft, finding and destroying surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites.
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