Carter,
I have an answer for one of your questions. On your A-7, the chart with dots is the weapon load outs. Planes can only carry so much at one time and in so many configurations. Weights are critical. They also need to have the ability to carry different weapons for different missions.
Look here...this is a A-10 load option chart. Go about 1/2 way down, right below the van. (I use it for your example because it's easy to read)
http://www.warbird-photos.com/gpxd/viewtopic.php?p=204349
The numbers running left to right are the pylons, the points (known as stations) on the plane that carry the weapons. In this example, it has 11. 5 on each wing, and one center. (#6 is center, or belly) The dots in the chart show which weapon can be used on which pylon. {Planes are always counted from the planes' left (port) to right (starboard). If it has 4 engines and they say engine #3, thats the engine closest to the fuselage on the right wing.}
Now looking through the weapon choices, you see for example that GBU-10s can only go on 3, 4, 8, & 9.
Lets say i want my A-10 to carry 2 GBU-10, and 14 MK.82 and 1 MK.84.
MK.82 I use the 6 point rack on stations 5 and 7
MK.84 center #6
GBU-10 I put on 3 and 9
and the 2 extr Mk. 82 I put on 4 and 8
I left weapons off stations 1,2, 10, and 11 (My example mission did not require a full load.)
Make any sense now?
