Built this during the 1.8 Beta, over the course of my commutes to work. I wanted to make a good-looking semi-replica while maintaining a low enough part count that it could be used by all. Here's the result.
Be ready for a lengthy aircraft bio/factfile...

Overview

The Ling-Temco Vought A-7 was designed to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk as the Navy's weapon of choice for light attack. Later, it also saw service with the United States Air Force. It is affectionately known by its crews as the S.L.U.F, or Short Little Ugly... (I'll leave the rest to your imagination).

Features

• Functioning and true-to-type speedbrake (And boy, does it slow you down in a hurry!)
• Realistic handling (Beware low speeds, the sink rate is pretty authentic i.e. dangerously fast if you aren't careful)
• Can fly with its wings folded (See? Authentic handling!)
• Lights
• Folding wings (90 degree fold, just like the real thing)
• Flaps (in order to keep the part count relatively low, I just used the XML-editing wing type)
  

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Weapons Loadouts

Provided Loadout

The loadout that the aircraft is pre-equipped with is that of the attack-bomber role, the heaviest loadout this aircraft carries in terms of weight.
- M61A1 20mm Rotary Cannon, port side
- 18x Mk-82 Freefall Bomb
- 2x AIM-7 "Sparrow" MRAM

Possible Loadout Combinations

With the weapons provided on the weapon bogie (will be linked as a successor), the aircraft can carry any combination of stores on its six underwing pylons up to the maximum of:
- 144x 2.75In FFAR in 6x FFAR Pod
- 18x Mk-82 Freefall Bomb
- 6x AGM-12 "Bullpup" AGM
Note that the fuselage pylons are provided from use of MRAMs only. They can interfere with inboard weapons releases, so bear this in mind and consider not taking MRAMs if there are no aerial threats expected on your sortie.

Activation Groups and controls

• Trim to control horiztonal tailplane trim tabs;
• AG1 to fold wings;
• AG2 to deploy Arrestor Hook;
• AG3 to jettison bombs if equipped, critical in the event of an underpowering engine during carrier launch;
• AG4 + VTOL Dn for Speedbrake, this CANNOT be deployed beyond around 45% on landings due to its size;
• AG5 + VTOL Dn for Flaps, generally 50% should be sufficient for a carrier landing, speed and payload-dependant;
• AG6 to activate rocket pods if equipped and jettison pod covers;
• AG7 to switch on wing/fuselage strobe lights;
• AG8 to activate/deactivate horizontal tailplane trim tabs;
• V to discharge Flares (Around 200 Flares in each of the two dispensers aft).
  

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Performance Stats (High Physics)

Fuel consumption at 20,000 feet, full bomb load:

• 1.52Gal/mile at Cruising power (75%)
• 2.03Gal/mile at full power

Theoretical range on internal fuel:

• 1166.45miles at Cruising power
• 873.4 miles at full power
  (Not too far from the real thing)

Maximum speed with 18x Mk-82 bombs and 2x AIM-7 Sparrow:

• 530 mph at 5,600 Feet

Critical Speeds

• Minimum take-off speed
  
  
  
  • 148 mph land-based, in takeoff configuration
  
  
  • 170 mph carrier-based, takeoff configuration
  
  
• Landing speed
  
  
  
  • ~190 mph for carrier landings, speedbrake deployed to 45%, flaps 50%.
  
  
  • 230 mph Advised Minimum Final Approach Speed for landing.
  
  
• Safe working airspeed
  
  
  
  • 155 mph with full payload
    
    

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Warnings/Notices

• The aircraft is best flown on High Physics, attempting to make an arrestor hook landing on Low Physics will likely lead to the plane exploding as its wing hits the carrier deck;
• DO NOT use full trim and full elevator, this will put the aircraft into a spin;
• Avoid aggressive pitch movements below 280 mph, this can put the aircraft into a spin;
• The aircraft can be extremely hard to control at low speeds, so care should be taken during landing approaches. Advised approach speed is 230 mph.
• The aircraft is hard to maneuver with a full payload. This should be taken into account during attack runs, as an attack run that the aircraft can make with a light payload may be impossible with a full payload
• Bombs MUST NOT be dropped below 300 feet. Even at full speed, the aircraft's proximity to the detonation can cause fatal damage.
  

  Happy Hunting!