[ladtx]

EXTREMELY good move on the part of the US Air Force. Glad to see them step back from sending this aircraft to the boneyard.

[dighton]

[TADSLOS]

Looks like the Air Force has finally figured out that Al Qeada doesn't have an air-to-air capability...They almost dumped the A-10. Thank God they came to their senses.

[Lee'sGhost]

Don't I recall that about six or seven years ago they were talking about doing away with the A-10? Glad to see it will live on for awhile.

[ArrogantBustard]

Everybody knows it's a 'hog, but the official name is 'Thunderbolt".

A pair of Thunderbolts, new and old, closing with the enemy and tearing his liver out since 06MAY1941. Enjoy.

AB

[ArrogantBustard]

[pttttt]

Produced by Republic Fairchild, the A-10 has the distinction of being the only U.S. aircraft designed specifically for close air support—providing firepower to ground troops engaging an enemy force.

Maybe they mean the only current US aircraft designed specifically for close air support. Although the AD was actually originally designed as a divebomber. Too bad they can't modernize these! See http://skyraider.org.

[Feckless]

"the largest, most powerful cannon ever mounted in an aircraft, the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun"

I'll see your 30mm and raise a 105 (AC130). I'm thinking it also has twin 40mm, too.

[hchutch]

Now this is an airplane.

Nice to see a 21st Century Hog. THIS is what CAS is all about. Maybe the Marines can get some, too.

[m1911]

Warthog Bump

[Focault's Pendulum]

Years ago, I would hike in Lebanon State Forest, in the Pine Barrens in NJ. It's near Lakehurst Naval Air, Fort Dix, and Macguire AFB. I was puzzled by hearing a rapid zipper sound at recurring at intervals, every so often.

It took me a while to realize it was the A-10 doing gun practice at a nearby military air range. I finally figured it out, one day, when two of them buzzed the pine trees so low I could see the pilots' faces. They circled a few times over the clearing I was in, then waggled their wings in response to my wave.

I've never foregotten that day. Glad to see they'll be around for a while.

[BluH2o]

Visited Tucson recently, saw a number of "Warthogs" (at least 30) mothballed at Davis Monthan AFB. Looks like they may be spared the scrap yard.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Here is a tank on the recipient end of the 30mm!

[lawdog]

One of the best "moves" on defense in years!

[Bill Davis FR]

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., is the primary contractor for the A-10 Precision Engagement Modification, as the upgrade is known...makes me wonder how hillary will vote....

[BlueLancer]

"The Air Force plans to keep the A-10, which was first deployed in 1976, in service until 2028."

When they take them out of service, can I have one?

[LibKill]

One heck of a good attack plane.

First time I ever saw one on TV they did a slow-motion shot of an old tank on a target range. Those 30mm slugs were going right through it and it was melting from the induced heat.

[TC Rider]

A friend recently bought a remanufactured Yak 52. It's a two seat trainer/acrobatic plane from the old USSR fleet. His was built in '82.

He bought his in Romania where it was taken apart, re-engineered and remanufactured. They pluck off the wings and send them, two at a time in a container to Vermont where the wings are put back on.

My friend decided to fly his home to NC. All was well until he got near the DC airspace. Did I mention it was painted like a war bird? with Russian stars?

He glanced up out of the bubble canopy when a shadow passed over him and saw the ugly belly of an A-10, glancing down he saw another under his little Yak.

He had neglected to tune his radio to the correct freq and they were checking him out.