A-10 The Warplane Nobody Wanted
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UAV Version?
Would be great if they built a new version as a UAV then all the old warhorses could continue the fight in Iraq from the comfort of their own sofa.
Of course one would have to put it into a hold for beer, food and Top Gear...then get back to dealing with ISIS.
Of course one would have to put it into a hold for beer, food and Top Gear...then get back to dealing with ISIS.
As several contributors have indicated ISTR USAF AX motivation was, in part at least, driven to head off U.S. Army and Marine Corps aspirations vis-a-vis CAS.
For USAF problems regarding U.S.Army fixed wing development , think back to the issues behind the very short life of the DHC 5 Buffalo in US Army service.
Of course these turf squabbles are not limited to the armed forces of the United States.......
For USAF problems regarding U.S.Army fixed wing development , think back to the issues behind the very short life of the DHC 5 Buffalo in US Army service.
Of course these turf squabbles are not limited to the armed forces of the United States.......
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Reckon that with Assad's Boots on the Ground (are there any other volunteers with any ?), and a few Warthogs in the air, you might more impression on ISIS than by blowing big holes in the desert with expensive 2000 pounders delivered by winkle-picker noses at 450 knots.
But then, what do I know ?
But then, what do I know ?
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The A-10 can also be used as a relatively good anti-aircraft jet as well, if I'm not mistaken?
It seems to have most of the key characteristics of a fighter/interceptor of being incredibly responsive, agile and can carry a
tonne of ordinance. Plus they are notoriously difficult to shoot down......
It seems to have most of the key characteristics of a fighter/interceptor of being incredibly responsive, agile and can carry a
tonne of ordinance. Plus they are notoriously difficult to shoot down......
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Reckon that with Assad's Boots on the Ground (are there any other volunteers with any ?), and a few Warthogs in the air, you might more impression on ISIS than by blowing big holes in the desert with expensive 2000 pounders delivered by winkle-picker noses at 450 knots.
But then, what do I know ?
But then, what do I know ?
KISS indeed
The A-10 can also be used as a relatively good anti-aircraft jet as well, if I'm not mistaken?
And as for being hard to shoot down, it really depends what with. AK47 yup, modern double digit SAM or fighter with radar missiles - not really.
The USAF roost was always ruled by the fighter pukes.......
The rock who instructed on my range supervisor course told us he had been supervising a range at Catterick when they spotted 2 x A10 approaching. He fired a red verey at them and told us 'he must have seen it, I saw it bounce off his canopy'.
I've watched them at Holbeach. Very impressive the way they head straight towards the car park, then stand on their wingtip and do a 90 deg turn in a very short radius. Then you see a spurt of smoke from the nose and hear a high pitched buzz which is the sound of the cannon. The target they were using was abeam the control tower as with the GAU 8, the safety trace for the normal target (being used by Harriers firing SNEBs) would have covered most of Boston!
I've watched them at Holbeach. Very impressive the way they head straight towards the car park, then stand on their wingtip and do a 90 deg turn in a very short radius. Then you see a spurt of smoke from the nose and hear a high pitched buzz which is the sound of the cannon. The target they were using was abeam the control tower as with the GAU 8, the safety trace for the normal target (being used by Harriers firing SNEBs) would have covered most of Boston!
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Damn, that is one ugly mother
Maybe be FUGLY but when you need it and hear it going by its a thing of beauty because you know the opposition in front ceased to be much of a concern.
From first time I saw pictures I saw it as a thing of beauty, designed to do one thing.
From first time I saw pictures I saw it as a thing of beauty, designed to do one thing.
When I first saw a small version of this picture, I initially thought the VW was a scale model!
