Arrival - After applying for and receiving qualification for loan and rework of military aircraft the A-7 was placed on loan status to Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation (VAHF.) A Vought team proceeded to Pensacola, Florida In early July 1999 to prepare the aircraft for transportation to the Vought Aircraft Industries facility in Dallas, Texas. The aircraft was disassembled and secured on a truck operated by The Chapman Trucking Company, specialists in Warbird transportation. The airplane was received at the VAHF hangar, with great fanfare, in late July 1999. As received, 154502 was in pretty bad shape with damage to the fuselage, wing and tail plus there were many airframe parts missing . The Cockpit had been stripped of instrumentation and was filled with the debris accumulated over the years.

Restoration - Thus began a 5 year project to convert this empty hulk into into a fully restored museum piece.  The aircraft was restored to like-new condition including a complete set of bombs.

Owner and Background

Current Status