Minot in Ward County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A-7D Corsair II

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2023

1. A-7D Corsair II Marker

Inscription.
In order to meet the need for close air support in South Vietnam, the USAF chose the A-7D Corsair II, derived from the US Navy's A-7, to fill that role. The Air Force required the Corsair II to be more powerful and thus was fitted with an Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan engine capable of 14,250 lbs of thrust, 2,000 lbs more than the Navy A-7 with its TF30 engine. A new automatic electronic navigation system and a new weapons delivery system greatly improved the accuracy of the A-7D.

USAF A-7D's flew a total of 12,928 combat sorties during the Vietnam War with only six losses, the lowest of any U.S. fighter in the theater. The aircraft was second only to the B-52 Stratofortress in the amount of ordinance dropped on Hanoi and the A-7D's dropped more bombs per sortie with greater accuracy than any other U.S. attack aircraft.
General Characteristics
Length: 46ft 1in — Wingspan: 38ft 8in — Height: 16ft 1in
Powerplant: One Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan engine producing up to 14,250lbs of thrust
Maximum Speed: 663mph — Range: 3,044 miles — Service Ceiling: 33,500ft
Armament: One M61A1 20mm rapid-fire cannon plus 15,000lbs of mixed ordinance

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam.

Location. 48°

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

16.253′ N, 101° 17.395′ W. Marker is in Minot, North Dakota, in Ward County. Marker can be reached from 34th Avenue Northeast, 0.2 miles east of North Broadway (U.S. 83), on the right when traveling east. The marker is located on the Dakota Territory Air Museum grounds, along the aircraft exhibit trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 34th Avenue Northeast, Minot ND 58703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. B-17 Bomber Crash Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Douglas C-47 Skytrain (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle" (within shouting distance of this marker); Convair F-106 "Delta Dart" (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" (within shouting distance of this marker); 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (within shouting distance of this marker); Thanks to the United States Air Force (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); June 22, 2011 (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minot.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Dakota Territory Air Museum

Also see . . .
1. United States Air Force A-7D (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The United States Army has not been permitted to
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2023

2. A-7D Corsair II Marker
The marker is located directly in front of the subject aircraft.
operate fixed-wing combat aircraft since the establishment of an independent United States Air Force (USAF) in 1947. To meet its need for close air support of its troops in South Vietnam, the Army pressured the Air Force to procure a specialized subsonic close air support fixed-wing aircraft that would suit its needs better than the general-purpose supersonic aircraft that the USAF preferred.
The A-7D first entered service in 1970 with the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing at Luke AFB Arizona, and the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina was equipped with four squadrons of A-7Ds by 1972; the 355th TFW at Davis-Monthan AFB was equipped with four squadrons in 1972, and in 1973, the 23d TFW at England AFB, Louisiana was fully equipped with A-7Ds.
With the end of the Vietnam War, the Air Force began to transfer its active duty A-7D aircraft to Air National Guard units beginning in 1974.

(Submitted on February 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Dakota Territory Air Museum. Excerpt:

Founded in 1986, the Dakota Territory Air Museum has proudly evolved into a significant historical depository honoring the men, women and machines that have impacted the rich history of aviation.

(Submitted on February 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

A-7D Corsair II image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2023

3. A-7D Corsair II

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2023

4. A-7D Corsair II

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 30, 2023

5. A-7D Corsair II

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.