Title |
LTV A-7D/K Corsair II - The “SLUF” in USAF and USANG Service – 1968-1993 (Famous Aircraft of the USAF and USANG – Vol 1) |
Author(s) | Werner Munzenmaier with Andreas Klein |
Publisher | Double Ugly (AirDoc) |
ISBN | 978-3-935687-16-4 |
Werner Munzenmaier has produced a few books in the past, and this is one of his best! It is a companion to the SLUF in US Navy service book released a few years ago under the “AirDoc” banner, and is laid out in a similar manner.
The book is in full colour and is really a “book of two halves” as it is in dual language, with everything in both English and German. It is laid out in a series of logical sections as follows:-
The first section provides an overview of the history of the A-7 in general and the USAF in particular, with a photo section covering the A-7D during its’ service in Vietnam. Information is also provided about the YA-7F which unfortunately never entered service.
The second section then delves into the detail, covering in detail each unit which has operated the A-7D and K. For each unit, there is a brief history of the A-7’s use with that unit and a selection of photographs. The following units are covered:-
- 23rd TFW
- 57th TFW
- 58th TFW
- 354th TFW
- 355th TFW
- AFSC / Test Wings
- Arizona ANG (152nd TFS / 195th TFTS, 162nd TFG)
- Colorado ANG(120th TFS, 140th TFW)
- Iowa ANG (124th TFS, 132nd TFW)
- Iowa ANG (174th TFS, 185th TFW)
- Michigan ANG (107th TFS, 127th TFW)
- New Mexico ANG (188th TFS, 150th TFG)
- Ohio ANG (112th TFS, 180th TFG)
- Ohio ANG (162nd TFS, 178th TFG)
- Ohio ANG (166th TFS, 121st TFW)
- Oklahoma ANG (125th TFS, 138th TFG)
- Pennsylvania ANG (146th TFS, 112th TFG)
- Puerto Rico ANG (198th TFS, 156th TFG)
- South Carolina ANG (157th TFS, 169th TFG)
- South Dakota ANG (175th TFS, 114th TFG)
- Virginia ANG (149th TFS, 192nd TFG)
The third section is a walkaround, with some nice detail shots. This is not as comprehensive (and therefore does not replace) other publications such as the Verlinden “Lock-On”, but is a useful reference.
Finally, there is a section which covers the 3 colour schemes in which the A-7D and have K appeared in service.
All in all, this is a very nice book. The photographs used are all clear and well chosen, and those within the unit sections show the progression of markings from the ‘60’s up to the retirement of the A-7 during the ‘90’s.
Very much a “must-buy”, and available here from the USAF SIG Amazon Store.
Review by Chris St Clair