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To: DUMBGRUNT
First things first: compare piston driven aircraft with peers and jets with peers and not piston engine types with jets.

As a fighter, the P-51 Mustang was a classic; as a ground support weapon, not so much. The under fuselage oil cooler was its most vulnerable point — one hit there and the engine would seize solid in 10 minutes when it ran out of oil. The radial engined P-47 Thunderbolt was the toughest fighter-bomber when it came to ground support. Well armed and armored, the P-47s air-cooled radial engine kept running when it took battle damage and brought its pilot home. A Mustang pilot would have had to walk home through occupied territory. The Thunderbolt's eight .50 calibers, two 500 lb. bombs and ten 5-inch rockets could really ruin an enemy's day.

Today's A-10 is the USAF equivalent to the WW2 P-47. The official name for the A-10 is Thunderbolt II. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is equivalent to the P-51 Mustang — and just as vulnerable doing the job of close air support (CAS). If the USAF is successful at retiring the A-10, the US Army or other ground forces will loose their best and most effective CAS weapon. And, NO, the F-15E or F-35A or F-16C...none can assume the role of the A-10 and survive.

45 posted on 12/17/2014 10:28:40 PM PST by MasterGunner01
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To: MasterGunner01
 
 
one hit there and the engine would seize solid in 10 minutes when it ran out of oil.
 
Am informed by a friend who flew those for the majority of his combat career that it was TWO minutes to get the F out or else you were flying a fireball. He also advised that slamming the throttle wide open on one of those while taking off is a very bad idea. He barely survived the experience.
 
 

52 posted on 12/18/2014 12:33:00 AM PST by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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