The A-7E Aircraft is getting a new paint job.









These are some "before" pictures of the plane's new paint job. Some
"after" pictures will be posted soon so keep looking.

We have located the pilot who flew this aircraft in VA105. His name is
Captain Ken Richardson. He hails from Dracut, Massachusetts.  He
graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1971 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a
commission as an Ensign, United States Navy.
During the summer of 1972, Captain Richardson served aboard USS
CHARLES P. CECIL (DD 835) as Combat Information Center Officer and
deployed to the Arabian Gulf and South China Sea where he participated
in Linebacker Operations off the coast of Vietnam.
Reporting for flight training in August 1972, he was designated a Naval
Aviator in February 1974 graduating with the last class to train in the
TF-9J aircraft. Concurrent with flight training, he attended the University
of West Florida and received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical
Systems.  After replacement pilot training in the A-7 Corsair II with the
HELLRAZORS of VA-174 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida,he reported to the
CLANSMEN of VA-46 and deployed to the Medditerranean and North
Seas aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) .
In  December 1977, he reported to VT-4 as an Instructor Pilot in the T-2
and TA-4 aircraft. Following his instructor tour, he joined the
SUNLINERS of VA-81 and made two deployments to the Medditerranean
Sea and Indian Ocean aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV59). He reported
back to the HELLRAZORS of VA-174  in August 1983 as an Instructor
Pilot and served as Operations Officer. In 1986, he transferred to USS
AMERICA (CV 66) as Air Operations Officer and was deployed to the
Mediterranean Sea during Operations against Libya in April 1996. He
reported to the GUNSLINGERS of VA-105 as Executive Officer in March
1988 and assumed command 27 July 1989. During this time in VA-105 he
deployed to various theaters of operation. Following his command tour,
he was assigned to the Staff, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group
Twelve as Air Operations Officer and deployed to the Mediteranean Sea,
North Atlantic, and Arabian Gulf during Operation Dessert Storm. He
reported to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC)
Jacksonville,FL in July 1993 and assumed command 21 July 1993. He
retired from active duty 31 July 1995. During his last tour, he received a
Masters of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics degree from  Jacksonville
University and has subsequently received a Master of Business
Administration Degree through the Executive Program at Jacksonville
University.

Captain Richardson earned the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service
Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with
Combat "V" and various Unit Commendations and other campaign
awards. He accumulated more than 4100 hours of flight time, over 3100
of which are in the A-7 aircraft, and over 1000 carrier arrested landings.
He is the last active duty naval aviator to have flown the A-7 Corsair II
and his name adorns the side of the A-7 Aboard the USS INTERPID
(CV/CVA/CVS 11) in New York City and the side of the A-7 at the
Veterans Museum in Halls, Tennessee.

Captian Richardson is married to the former Martha Mary Maddocks of
Dracut, Massachusetts. They Reside in Orange Park, Florida. Martha is
a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist working in the Clay
County, Fl school system. Their daughter Lindsay is pursuing a Master
of Occupational Therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine, Fl;
son David is pursing a Doctoral degree in Chemistry at the University of
Florida in Gainesville, Fl; and their oldest son Matthew is a Lieutenant in
the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps serving as the Public Works
Officer at the Navy Information Operations Command, Sugar Grove,
West Virginia.
       

















 



























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A-7E Aircraft
Halls R/C Flyers