The A-10 Warthog

[@x31omega]

As a Marine who fought in Fallujah Iraq in 04 the sound of an A10 firing at the enemy is a glorious sound and a moral booster.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thank you for your service. Semper Paratus.

[@templarw20]

I understand that the main reason that the Air Force still has the A-10 is because if they didn't, the Marines would grab it in a heartbeat, and the AF is too egotistical to let a war plane go to another branch (they don't like the Navy for the same reason).

[@NathanCroucher]

@@templarw20 Retiring them may have been political. More jobs designing something new.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt

[@howhigh0521]

Yeah I’ve seen videos of solders being held down by enemy fire and we’re waiting for air support. When the sound of that hog was heard you could feel the energy of all the solder’s get instantly lifted.

[@Artifex422]

My favorite quote about the A-10 warthog is always going to be “if you hear the sound of the gun, it means it wasn’t meant for you.”

[@CdrChaos]

Or you just got REALLY lucky.

[@ltcuddles685]

Or you survived because of how hilariously inaccurate the gun actually is.

[@Flight_of_Icarus]

My favorite quote from an A-10 Warthog is "BRRRRRRRRRT"

[@chriswelch0]

It could mean Wrongway Feldman is your CCT.

[@davidcrosby3215]

The whole brrrrt thing is a tad over used

[@toddmcdonald3879]

As a former USA Infantryman, the A-10 will always be my favorite USAF jet. I have looked up at one diving toward me and thought "thank God it's on our side!"

[@womensrights]

I am an A-10 mechanic with experience on several different airframes. The A-10 is like nothing else. Such a well designed aircraft.

[@JF-lt5zc]

Stephen, perhaps you can clarify something for me with your knowledge. When I was a teen they had A10s on display at Miramar during air shows. I seem to remember that when walking under the wing that it had plywood panels screwed into the underside of the wing. I thought this was remarkable but rationalized that they would be easy to replace if damaged. Am I crazy or did I see what I thought I saw?

[@womensrights]

@@JF-lt5zc they don’t use plywood on active jets. That was probably just part of the static display.

[@joshuapowell2675]

One of the few instances where it feels like the military didn't try to cut corners to save money. But I'm sure there's plenty of cannibalizing to keep them going these days

[@goldenhate6649]

@@joshuapowell2675 After the last admin, not nearly as much as during the obama years where our ships were literally held together by ducttape (not even joking, theres entire naval slang around repairs of that nature)

[@presidentelecta-10warthog44]

thank you

[@michaelandcolinspop]

Great job, Simon. My team and I were rocketed one night in Afghanistan in 2006. While we rode out the attack, one of the guys openly asked where the others thought the rockets were coming from, because there were a lot of them. Then, everything just stopped. As we left camp the following day, we passed a couple burned out transport hulks still smoking behind what was left of a large brick and mud wall and two others a ways behind them with damaged missiles still on their rails. These turned out to be the launchers and their reinforcements. Later, I asked what had been on patrol that night, and it was two A-10s that did the job. I’ll always be grateful to Republic-Fairchild for that beautiful beast.

[@thunderbird1921]

Wow, sounds like the stories I've heard from Korean War vets and historians about the Corsair and Skyraider. Those two planes likewise saved our infantry (both Army and Marine) on multiple occasions (including at Chosin Reservoir IIRC). The A-10 is the latest beautiful machine in that vital air to ground support role.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

So you didn't hear the sound of the GAU, or did they use missiles?

[@michaelandcolinspop]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Nope. Couldn’t hear anything except rockets exploding and guys shouting. It’s really too bad. It would’ve been cool to hear the A-10s do their thing.

[@williamwilson6499]

You should thank Fairchild-Republic.

[@molnibalage83]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfOgmOlZ66SbJI

[@BBCharger5spd]

During an ambush and taking fire we called for ECAS and two A-10s showed up... They stayed aloft for about an hour and did numerous gun runs and dropped some heavy munitions with astounding accuracy. The left only after the enemy had retreated and out EVAC had showed up. We later found out on the the pilots' aircraft had been hit by an RPG prior to even showing up to our call - He said something along the lines of "It takes a hell of a lot more than an RPG to take one of these things down" Kinda stuck with me.

[@jerrysanders9101]

Killer story. Thanks for your service. Trump 2024 let’s get the real foreign criminal/enemy out of power/dc🇺🇸💯❤️🤍💙

[@oskarskalski2982]

@@jerrysanders9101 Do you really have to mingle politics into Simon's channel?

[@muddyram]

Having called these for close air support in Afghanistan, it’s one of the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen or more importantly heard. Having everything in front of you explode and then hearing a quick “Brrrrrrttt” off in the distance is a comforting feeling being infantry.

[@MrSimonw58]

Except for a royal marine patrol under friendly fire

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

@@MrSimonw58 o.O

[@dantreadwell7421]

@@MrSimonw58 I thought they were 'danger close' but not THAT close. . .

[@darkstorminc]

Unless you are on the receiving end, then by the time you hear the brrrrt you're dead or missing the important parts.

[@M167A1]

An angel from heaven

[@tayzonday]

I want to see an A10 firing at a giant block of ballistics gel to better understand how the munitions behave.

[@masonc4105]

There wouldn't be any ballistic gel left

[@trevorjohnson2168]

30mm depleted uranium does work

[@tayzonday]

@@masonc4105 By “giant” I mean maybe a cubic kilometer.

[@nissan300ztt]

Not possible. Ballistic gel would cease to exist.

[@funfactor4528]

If you do that the jell will just disappear

[@codynieman3729]

As a current mechanic and former infantry Marine, I have nothing but love and respect for the A-10. I can only imagine one reason the enemy wouldn't be terrified to see this aircraft.... Because they didn't have time.

[@zachmoore4550]

As a ground pounder in Afghanistan, I can not tell you how many times a hog came to our rescue. The zipper is a beast

[@silver_forest-k5i]

This is Striker 3-1 good copy. Strike inbound.

[@psijicassassin7166]

As a Russian in Ukraine, the noisy and low-flying A-10 is useless in urban warfare since it will be shot down by SAMs and stingers in buildings long before it can spot tanks. Troop support = 0.

[@Boomkokogamez]

​@@psijicassassin7166 lol no

[@goldenhedgehog9]

@@psijicassassin7166 If an A-10 is coming in for a gun run, it already knows where there tanks are.

[@coconutsmarties]

​@@psijicassassin7166 stop copy pasting the same thing

[@josephledux8598]

I rarely find anything to criticize in any of Simon's videos, but I sure have one here. That would be the glaring omission of video of what I think of as the "Warthog Cheer." That's the sound audible in any number of actual combat videos available on KZbin from infantry watching a Warthog air mission on enemy. You know what I'm talking about: the silence so calm you can hear the wind and maybe a little muted conversation among the soldiers, then the BRRRRRRRRRRT! of the attack and the accompanying visual display, then the cheers from the soldiers so loud it's like KISS just took the stage in 1975. C'mon man, would it have been so hard to include a little of that? It's so pleasant and inspiring to watch. In the mid 90s I helped train a new police officer who had come to our squad. He was a former A10 pilot who had been RIF'd out of service during the depressing Clinton years. He told me that in the first Gulf War one night he went on a mission that was more or less routine for him: he strafed enemy positions and launched a couple of missiles at Iraqi armored vehicles. He saw secondary explosions, and was informed that a forward observer confirmed that the enemy position was utterly destroyed. He went on about his business without thinking about it much. A few days later, a special operations type who was part of part of the small group of soldiers who had requested the fire mission came and tracked him down at his air base and kissed him dead on the mouth in front of lots of people and even brought someone along to take pictures. Apparently they were part of an intelligence mission and were on the verge of being annihilated by the Iraqi unit when he showed up for his "routine" mission and blasted them to Kingdom Come. He told me that it was weird, that intellectually he understands he saved lives that night, and other nights, and was grateful to have the opportunity to do so, but to him it was really just another mission like many others. Nothing special. He never felt anything like a hero, just like a pilot. A skilled one who could get the job done. He didn't spend very long doing police work. After 9/11 they were begging for people like him to come back into the military. He went. I have no doubt he found many more lives to save.

[@NoneMcNobody]

My grandfather was one of the lead engineers on the A-10 warthog, he told me that when they tested the Gau-avenger (nose Gatling gun) rear mounted in a B-52, the entire aircraft jumped up and sideways several hundred feet when they fired it, and that it tore through it's mountings, pushing back inside the B-52. Every time I see a video of a 'Hog in action I feel immense pride. Only my grandad could load 4x more stuff in the back of a station wagon before a road trip than physics allows for, with airtight gaps between every object. The A-10s wings fully loaded are clearly his work.

[@pissyellowporchcouch]

Thanks for sharing your family’s history!! Keep the conversation alive!!

[@carlvu7]

Beautiful story. Thanks to all of the men and women behind the scene.

[@robertchildress1525]

Salute to your grandfather

[@jamesbrown6020]

Wow! Thats amazing! Do you have anything else interesting about the man you'd be willing share? He sounds fascinating and I'd be genuinely intrigued to hear anything else you might have to say about him

[@NoneMcNobody]

@@jamesbrown6020 I could tell you about how he and I built color televisions with parts from radio shack in the 1980s with zero instruction manuals when I was a little boy, how he always put wool socks on the gear shifter of my grandma's tan Subaru hatchback so the hot Florida sun wouldn't burn her hand, how he had. 25ft sailboat and taught me how to sail, or how when I took him to see 'Saving Private Ryan's in the movie theater we had to walk out within the first few minutes of that film because during WW2 he'd been in the u.s. army in one of the first few waves to hit the beach. I never saw tears in his eyes before or after that. He just said quietly that it was entirely too real. He always got out of bed around midnight and slept in a bed or on the couch separate from my grandma because he'd wake up screaming from a nightmare and didn't want to wake her. He never complained, he was never negative about things. He just soldiered on and was an amazing grandad to me my sister and my cousins.

[@AndrewSmith-gn1nq]

Saved my patrols ass in Afghanistan. Thanks for finally covering the best CAS aircraft the world has ever seen. Hearing them fire those cannons up close is something burned into my memory for life!

[@joshuapowell2675]

I mean I personally vote the AC-130 as the best. But I'm biased and lord knows it's one of the slowest aircraft you'll ever see when it's fully loaded

[@AndrewSmith-gn1nq]

@@joshuapowell2675 I got to see a AC-130 in action once in Qalat when SF came playing in our neighborhood. Hell of a surprise considering they didn’t give us a heads up they’d be doing a raid a few blocks from us.

[@bonesandbrains1055]

My first experience with this aircraft was when I was in Afghanistan late 2009. I remember hearing on the radio that we had air support inbound and God knows we needed it. It was the most awesome thing I had ever seen in the biblical sense. The ground shook and I had to cover my ears when it got close. I love that jet!

[@williamsherman1942]

A true dragon of war.

[@Lonewolfmike]

I have seen so many ground troops sing the praises of the A-10.

[@NoahLoydOG]

When I was a kid, I had the privilege of watching one of these at an air show, from under the wing of another parked one. Not only did it drop a pair of FABs in a nearby empty field, it also did several strafing runs for the joy of the crowd. I heard later that it was the last time one of them did a live-firing event at an air show. I'll never forget it; it's one thing to hear a recording of the sound, but it's an experience like no other in person. It's one of those things that makes you realize it's so much more than the sum of its parts. Sometime after that, I met general Schwarzkopf, and as I had recently heard Congress was having hearings on retiring the A-10 fleet, 8-year old me begged him not to let them retire them, telling him that, if anything, we need more. Not long after that, I read in the news that air force Generals had talked Congress out of the plan, and instead, they approved plans to upgrade and service A-10s into the 2000s. I don't have any proof, per sé, but circumstantially, I believe I played a small part in ensuring 'Hogs remain in service to save lives and shorten ears that have happened since the '90s.

[@stuffandjunkandthings364]

I, along with countless other soldiers, owe our lives to those wonderful aircraft, and the badasses that fly them.

[@RuneFoot]

They have killed at least 25 American soldiers. At one time. The a 10 has killed a lot of people in blue on blue incidents It's inaccurate af being a radiusof 2 school busses. The gun is worthless, can't pen any tank that was made after 1950. It was obsolete when made. It's only okish at anti insurgency because terrorists usually dont have AA. Or jets. In a modern conflict being in an a-10 would be a death sentence. It's ok as a light bomber. It's good at holding a lot of missiles and bombs but we had aircraft better suited for that. Also the only tank kills the a-10 has are from the maverick missiles. It can only pen light armor with its gun. It's actually dogshit in a neir per war.

[@neowide4970]

Are you referring to the friendly soldiers who killed by the A-10?

[@phoenixrising4073]

@@neowide4970 the army had plenty of friendly fire incidents; we gonna retire infantry now? Yeah, thought so.

[@neowide4970]

@@phoenixrising4073 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYjJpK1rh5ucqNU kzbin.info/www/bejne/naKUkpZoeKZ_m6c

[@sethhuff8657]

not from Britan I see

[@Michael_Rega]

A really cool thing you forgot to mention is that the rear wheels do not fully retract into the wings, half of the tires remain outside of the stove position in case they have to land with the gears up to minimize the damage to the fuselage

[@BradPanoff]

There is that, but the plan fact is that it's such a slow aircraft the parasitic drag from the semiretracted gear just isn't much of a factor, and they can use the space and weight saved for other purposes.

[@PaulGuy]

There's also the placement of the engines, which was somewhat touched on. Having them up high does somewhat mask them from heat seeking weapons, but the wings and horizontal stabilizers also help physically shield them from small arms fire. Every part of the plane was designed with the idea that people would be taking shots at it.

[@BlackPhillip666]

This video had a lot missing content. Disappointing, it wasn't much more than a Wikipedia article...

[@BradPanoff]

I watch Simon's videos for more than only the facts. I find his humor to be a value add. As I'm actually a pilot, I have plenty of sources in which to go look up data and research.

[@Lonewolfmike]

I think they can unlock them and use wind friction to help lower the gear and lock it into place as well.

[@450Garrett]

Was a little disappointed to see no mention of the elephant in the room: Fairchild. Fairchild isn't a well known name in modern aircraft because they switched over to making civilian aircraft almost exclusively (and are now out of business entirely). The A-10 was the one weird exception. The story goes that they never wanted to make the A-10 period. The YA-9 was the favored child and was designed in a fashion that was consistent with the current (at the time) understanding of what an ideal ground attack aircraft looked like (note the similarities between the YA-9 and the SU-25 Frogfoot, the Russian ground attack aircraft from the same period.) The A-10 was brought in as competition because otherwise the USAF would have an aircraft trial without any real competitors, which presented problems for adopting the YA-9. Fairchild meanwhile likely wanted the stipend that was granted to anyone who produced an aircraft for the trial. THE PROBLEM was that the A-10, despite being designed with what was effectively parts off the shelf and from the Fairchild junkyard, absolutely annihilated the YA-9 during trials. So NOWWWWWW Fairchild was contractually obligated to produce the A-10. So Fairchild, a company that wanted to switch over to civilian aircraft was now stuck producing the A-10 for the USAF who really wanted the A-9. This is why only 700-ish airframes were built and there were no export models. The aircraft is relatively cheap to manufacture, easy to maintain, forgiving on runway length and design, and can take an absolute beating while deploying whatever weapons systems you want to throw on it. It should have been an extremely popular target for exporting, but it wasn't, because Fairchild didn't want to make it. All of the airframes today were produced prior to 1984. In 1987 Grumman took over the program because Fairchild wanted nothing to do with it.

[@netrioter]

Fairchild created a video game system at the same time..the Channel F.

[@brutusvonmanhammer]

Why on earth wouldn't they want to produce it? That makes no sense. If the Air Force is putting in orders, that means they are paying a premium. Fairchild stood to make a lot of money so I am perplexed at this.

[@oldsarj]

And now the Air Force has stuffed so much tech into the old bird that they won't let anyone else fly it for fear the classified stuff will fall into the wrong hands. The infantry's best friend.

[@valkyrie321]

@@oldsarj not true at all. Most of the equipment on it is still off the shelf tech. Good off the shelf, but nonetheless equipment that other aircraft use.

[@Moose6340]

Somewhat ironic that Grumman took it over from Fairchild, because the A-10 itself is a Grumman type of airplane...simple, effective, and ridiculously tough and over-engineered.

[@murgoot3336]

I remember the East Germans and the Soviets naming the A-10 the "Devil's Cross" after seeing training displays during the NATO REFORGER exercises

[@kyleclark4449]

I remember reading this in Tom Clancy's 'Red Storm Rising'

[@murgoot3336]

@@kyleclark4449 yup he did. I was hearing it before that while living in Colorado Springs near Fort Carson &Pete Field

[@kyleclark4449]

It's because the profile of an A-10 on an attack run somewhat resembles an Orthodox cross. Just a very angry one that spits depleted uranium and cracks open Soviet tanks like a lobster.

[@MikoyanGurevichMiG21]

Then they built two aircraft to try and match it, the smaller but cheaper Su-25 Grach/Frogfoot and the more powerful yet far more unreliable MiG 27. The MiG 27 had a crazier cannon than the GAU-8, namely the ridiculous GsH-30, but multiple issues around the placement of its gun and its maintenance saw it retiring fast after the Soviet Union's demise.

[@markrossow6303]

so I was a 1970's U.S. Army kid in W. Germany With the A-10 as anti-tank weapon, short-range Pershing nukes were no longer aimed Inside Europe, really pissing off German Citizens... (my 3rd grade year was at Fulda, facing the low, wide Fulda Gap, where huge numbers of Warsaw Pact tanks were predicted to roll...)

[@thomasholley2442]

We called in for CAS one night while being ambushed. We were holed up in an Afghan Border Patrol station and the enemy was coming down a mountain side in an attempt to overrun and capture us. The 2 F-15s on station said they couldn’t drop any ordinance because we were danger close and needed to evacuate. My CPT eloquently stated on the comms “if we could fucking evac, we would already be on the God damned fucking road.” The slow moving A-10 finally arrived and made several runs across the battlefield. Hearing the “bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt” echo off the mountains in the pitch black darkness made me so happy they were on our side. Don’t know who that pilot was, but I’ve never not taken the chance to shake hands with a warthog pilot and thank them for their service. The A-10s and AH-64 Apaches are the reason I made it out of that hellhole country.

[@kevinbuja4373]

Thank you for your service.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Funny, he F-15s could have ripped into the enemy with their 20mm cannons, but considering their minimum airspeeds they probably didn't feel comfortable strafing at night as it isn't normally part of their training.

[@YoutubeCO713]

You fought a war for oil

[@z50king29]

@@KZbinCO713 brool story co

[@Baraka_II]

@@KZbinCO713 Please grow a brain dawg

[@riverbluevert7814]

One of my favorite jets in service. I've been buzzed by A-10s flying at very low altitude twice. Both times I was on a boat. Although these planes are sub-sonic, I DIDN'T HEAR THEM COMING. To suddenly look up and see that menacing shape above you is terrifying. They scared the hell out of me. And I'm sure the pilots were having a great time haha!

[@jad43701]

I know what you mean about not hear them coming. Back in the late 80's we had one come in for a Air Show on base. It came in low and behind me and I didn't know it was there until it buzzed right over me !

[@pringlized]

hahahaha!

[@UnitZER0]

Remember, the A-10 is *not* a jet with a massive gun. It's a massive gun engineers strapped a jet to.

[@darknight1220]

Heh heh flying gun go brrrrt

[@Jedsa009]

Other countries: This is our plane. Find a gun that can be strapped to it. America: This is our gun. Make it fly.

[@josephschultz3301]

And what a pretty gun it is

[@arvidfrykman9850]

"So... you built a gun the size of a Buick. What will you do with it?" "Imma strap a plane to it!" "You mean, you're going to strap it to a plane." "I know what I said and said what I meant, bitch."

[@Inspadave]

Wow!. What a totally original comment.

[@thomasmunns5766]

I'll never understand why people think the A10 is ugly.. It's a Beautiful and incredible aircraft.

[@Isolder74]

The A-10 doesn’t fly. It beats Gravity into a crying heap and then the air gets out of its way! Powerglide for all your thrashing Decepticon needs!

[@NurmYokai]

Apollo Lunar Module: "It's ugly, but it gets you there." A-10 Warthog: 'It's ugly, but it gets you there. And back.'

[@catloverjerrygarcia5086]

@@NurmYokai This right here. It's considered ugly because it doesn't have graceful curvature or sweeping wing angles or anything. It's like they just took blocks and put enough engine on it to make it fly. I forget which soviet aircraft designer said it but they basically said if you put enough thrust behind a brick wall it'll fly.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@@catloverjerrygarcia5086 Often said about the F4 Phantom. Has the aerodynamic features of a brick with stubby wings. Attach two large GE J79 jet engines with afterburners and it gets along quite nicely.

[@killerbye1985]

Form follows function. She is beautiful because of that simple rule.

[@johnclawed]

There is an A-10 on display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum at Roosevelt Field (where Lindbergh took off) just east of New York City. Its score decals indicate: 8 tanks 14 artillery 3 scud launchers 4 radars 8 trucks 1 camel

[@connerroth3416]

Not the camel!

[@YuunaAndCuddles]

A camel!?

[@ThePyromechwolf]

Rip the camel

[@johnclawed]

@@ThePyromechwolf I took a picture of it. Can I upload a still picture to youtube?

[@ThePyromechwolf]

@@johnclawed not as a comment it has to be it own post. Can add the link to a comment though. Sadly KZbin is still a bit behind the trend

[@tracytrawick322]

The A-1 SkyRaider you mentioned (aka Sandy) is definitely in the A-10 family tree! It could linger almost endlessly over the site of a battle, or, more importantly, the site of a downed aircrew. Utilized to great effect in Vietnam, it became a guardian angel for aircrews & an absolute menace to those trying to do harm to those it was protecting. It's time on station was it's claim to fame. Friendly voice of the Sandy pilot to the downed aircrew was so important, hope was rarely lost as long as Sandys & FACs were on station. Underappreciated by most, it preceded & set the bar for the A-10. In some respects, more than the P-47 which was an absolute brute. P-47, the largest single engine fighter in WWII & had not 6, but 8 .50 cal's as it's primary armament & under the right conditions was able to defend itself against Axis fighters such as 109's & 190's. So P-47, A-1 to A-10, hell of a family tree. Thx Simon, great job as always & A-10 videos are always welcome!

[@thunderbird1921]

The Corsair was also a beautiful machine in the air to ground support role, it helped save our servicemen on multiple occasions in the Korean War (pretty darn impressive considering it was a World War II dive bomber for the Navy still flying around in the jet era).

[@theneef174]

Completely different company.

[@IanBruckner]

D sports

[@pootyting3311]

Yes, that linger or loiter time is arguably a top requirement for an aircraft in this role. I understand why some want to retire the A10, but the key question is, what to replace it with? I can get behind another aircraft designed from the hard won practical experience of the A10, with capabilities like loiter time that infantry may require. 👍👍

[@TheSybermedic]

Thank you for covering my favorite USAF jet. I remember the A-10 flying above my home when they were stationed at Hancock AFB. The Air Force was foolish to think they could replace the A-10 with a F-16 with a podded 30mm rotary cannon. The A-10 is a one of a kind jet that can't be easily replaced.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

That wasn't foolishness. The F-16 has replaced the A-10 and provides almost 3x the CAS. The issue is that Congress required _a_ specific replacement for the A-10 rather than just using existing aircraft to allow the retirement of the A-10, so making a A-16 was a feasible way to get around the restriction imposed on them. It's a dumb solution to a dumb problem. Politicians say dumb things, you maliciously comply with their idiocy until you get your way.

[@DomepieceSON88]

@@ChucksSEADnDEAD 3x the cas because there 3x as many in the AFs inventory. Math is hard.

[@cookei24]

Just like the B-52. They're big, ugly and tough, but also very easy and cheap to maintain/repair compared to modern aircraft.

[@molnibalage83]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfOgmOlZ66SbJI

[@BuffaloA10]

@@ChucksSEADnDEAD "The F-16 has replaced the A-10 and provides almost 3x the CAS." Hahahaha. Yea, right. As an A-10 pilot who REGULARLY acted as a FAC for F-16s I can tell you the F-16 CANNOT "replace" the A-10 and provide nearly the same level of protection for the folks on the ground OR run a SANDY mission like the Hawgs do. No, I am NOT belittling the Viper AT ALL - it was NEVER designed for CAS. It does it's job magnificently. The A-16 was floated in the late 80s when we only had LASTE A-10s - it is even a more ridiculous idea now with the massive capability and lethality upgrades in the A-10C, and the A-16 idea is DEAD and has been for a looooong time. You have no idea what you're pontificating about and no honest F-16 pilot would claim the viper could replace the hawg and do all it's missions, much less do them as well.

[@mightyactraiser5045]

As a former grunt, I will say the distinctive whine of the A-10 flying overhead was akin to a choir of angels guiding your way. The A-10 has saved more lives in the field than most people realize.

[@thequixoticangler3364]

I grew up on a base they stayed at in Arkansas. My daddy was the guy who set up a lot of the live ordinance exercises and combat scenarios. Once you saw or heard that bad boy, it was all over. They had their own nickname there. "Terminators" because everything they touched died. My favorite war machine.

[@psijicassassin7166]

As a Russian in Ukraine, the noisy and low-flying A-10 is useless in urban warfare since it will be shot down by SAMs and stingers in buildings long before it can spot tanks. Troop support = 0.

[@haghendowdy4750]

@@psijicassassin7166 USAF has other tools for that scenario ;)

[@jaybee9716]

How would you know how a choir of angels sounds since they don't exist? I think you're just making stuff up.

[@deathscythehellfunk]

It's also responsible for more friendly fire casualties than all other US aircraft combined.

[@thabg007]

I feel honored I got to work on this plane for 4 years, loading them 30mm rounds, driving them bomb loader machines, BDU's, Ters, ammo drum, AIM 9 sidewinder missiles, AGM65, GAU-8/A, that screeching loud APU b4 engine startup, ive been out since 2005 but still remember that firing sequence (feed, chamber, lock, fire unlock, extract, eject) DM AFB 355th EMS

[@ogreshrimp733]

Thank you for your service. I would fly them myself, but I'm 6'5. Not really pilot height, or so I've heard.

[@DomepieceSON88]

Bomb loader machines? Yep, you were definitely full of shit in backshop

[@thabg007]

@@DomepieceSON88 how tf u know what I did or didn't do, it's been 16 years , I forgot the name, give me a freakin break

[@DomepieceSON88]

@@thabg007 it's ok, the arm shop here at DM is the most pathetic group of maintainers in the entire AF, probably hasn't ever changed.

[@thabg007]

@@DomepieceSON88 but aren't they following the Technical Orders? And what about Quality Assurance inspections?

[@blazertundra]

I remember visiting an air museum near Sacramento and there was an A-10 on permanent display that was too damaged to be re-deployed. According to one of the staff, an anti aircraft missle had gone off right next to one of the engines. It lost an engine, a wing, and hydraulic controls and the pilot still turned it around and landed half a plane safely on base. Those things are absolute beasts. I hope to see them live on with updated tech.

[@bkane573]

No A-10 is Ever to damaged. You could always fix her. The airforce just found an excuse to get rid of a Jet they hate. If they can’t do it as a fleet, they’ll do it one at a time.

[@BlyGuy]

Iirc, that the pilot who got that extremely beat up Warthog home was a woman.

[@ricopeacedarer]

@@BlyGuy Why? It has been scientifically proven that females are better pilots then men. They can take the G's better, and other facters. If I remember, the US Air Force did a test in late 80's with 100 pilots (50 males/50 females) with equal equivalent of flight years and hours in flight. At the time female pilots where restricted from being fighter pilots. Supposedly, it was a major dogfight in the air, and the male pilots where slaughtered. With the female pilots getting high kill counts then the males. Also, former Eastern Block/Soviet countries had female fighter pilots since WWII.

[@BlyGuy]

@@ricopeacedarer what? Why are you making this comment in response to mine? I don't get it and it doesn't make sense given the context. Women might be better pilots when it comes to flying the jet around in training, but when it comes to live combat, where all the rules get thrown out and it's just a matter of accomplishing the objective and getting home alive, with SAMS and bandits chasing you, are women still grading higher than men? Maybe so, I have no idea, do you? Because how a pilot performs in combat is all that really matters.

[@Nirotix]

There's a documentary showing an A-10 coming home with an entire wing basically shot off, one engine gone, no hydraulic controls and a tail missing. Came home. That might be the plane. These things are ugly, but they are the tough as nails. Any pilot flying one of these into a full out war zone would be comfortable knowing they are coming back alive!

[@darenburnett5894]

I’m very lucky to live approx. 5 miles from the base where the A-10’s are stationed and serviced stateside. Getting to see these take off and land regularly is pretty freaking cool if you ask me.

[@rydplrs71]

Having watched a-10’s do touch and go training with low cloud cover around 50-100 ft, (18-35m Simon) I can just imagine the terror they deliver to an enemy without firing a round. The sound is completely unique and carries, but you won’t see them until they are literally on top of you and if you hear brrrrrt that only confirms you survived this pass. They will be back and you won’t stop hearing the whine while they circle around.

[@thefrecklepuny]

The A-10 was also used to hunt and destroy Scud mobile missile launchers in the 1991 Gulf War. Also, a fun fact, the pilot Kim Campbell had a great call sign: 'Killer Chick'.

[@Inspadave]

It was originally assigned to the SCUD hunting mission, but Gen. Horner pulled them off of that duty because they were taking too many casualties.

[@frankkolton1780]

The A-10 few over 8000 sorties in the Gulf War and lost a total of 5 planes, that's amazing considering their lack of speed and that they often loitered over the battlefield. Approximately 75 A-10s sustained damage, ranging from very minor to some taking heavy damage. The list of enemy armor and assets they destroyed is very long and impressive.

[@ndld4955]

Fitting 😆

[@BlyGuy]

I thought it was a rule that call signs could only be two syllables long?

[@jefftucker9225]

I was watching a documentary about the Afghan war and they were saying the Taliban called the A10 the flying cross and were terrified of it

[@justinm.791]

I live in Tucson AZ, where the A10 is flown out of Davis Monthan AFB. These planes have been flying overhead as far back as I can remember... I've always loved these planes...

[@jnnyhomicide]

I grew up in Tucson in the 80s and 90s. Seeing A-10s overhead was always a comforting sight for some reason.

[@Mr_Roboto]

They've beem flying over Valdosta, GA for about 20 years now based out of Moody AFB. It was cool seeing them flying over and at air shows when I was little.

[@TheNinjaDC]

My favorite A10 moment involved Steve Irwin (yes, the crocodile hunter). He was visiting a US airbase during an ep, and given a tour of the A10s. He geeked the f$&ck out. He was like a kid given a private tour, and it was so endearing. ❤️

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

Finally the probably most requested mega projects of all time xD

[@georgezachos7322]

Yep. Finally.

[@funfactor4528]

Definitely the most requested

[@ogreshrimp733]

Yep. Requested it once or twice myself.

[@WasabiSniffer]

Hell I can’t remember when I started requesting it

[@A94music]

The fact that the first noise you hear is the rounds hitting the ground, followed by the noise of the gun itself, from uranium rounds... is just insane

[@Falkirion]

Let's not forget that loiter time is a huge factor when ground forces call in for air support. The A-10 burns fuel slower than just about anything else in the USAF inventory, making it the best beast for the job. Long live the Hog!

[@ussjohnston1]

When I was in the Corps I used to love watching the warthogs doing their attack runs I’ve never seen it used in combat but it was always awesome watching them in training exercises supporting us on the ground

[@Hellsong89]

Also to be noted A10 has morale effect not only to enemy but friendly units as well. When you are in the pinch and hear the familiar BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT machine on the sky morale is lifted since they know enemy is getting to feel wrath of the avenging angel from the sky... or tree top level depending on mission profile. Troops and pilots love it and its still useful for fire support role, so hopefully the Hog has still long service life ahead of it.

[@jaredw9171]

The P-47 was NEVER designed for ground attack. It was the US' frontline fighter and was relegated to a secondary role after the genesis of the P-51. Due to its heavy rugged design, it was quickly put into service as a ground attack aircraft, where it excelled.

[@eemonkey7234]

Multiroles being more based than CAS since ww2

[@cesaravegah3787]

It actually was used a lot as a fighter-bomber-strafer but yes it was relegated by the Mustang, the fact was than many pilots loved the P47 and deemed it superior to the P51, only the impressive range the Mustang won it it's place as the most favored American fighter on Europe, I love the P47.

[@chrisrautmann8936]

The P-47 was a BIG plane, and had a lot of guns. It could also carry a lot of bombs, so was used for ground support. Towards th end of the war, ALL fighters were given the chance to go "off-leash" and engage in ground attacks of any targets of opportunity, once their escort missions had been completed. The punishment a P-47 could absorb was also amazing. Stories of pilots watching the connecting rods moving up and down in their shot-up engines were common. The story of a Bf-109 coming up to shoot down a damaged P-47 also was impressive. The Bf-109 ran out of ammo trying to shoot down the P-47, but the Thunderbolt kept flying.

[@infinitygirlak]

My father was stationed in West Germany so we were there when the Warthogs rolled out. I remember watching a line of trucks in an open field suddenly explode, paired with that entirely unique, terrifying sound. Then the play toddled by and I feel entirely in love.

[@CMF-qh1rw]

We were at Sembach in the 70s & 80s. I remember the A-10s & OV-10s arriving. I thought they were the most incredible planes I ever saw. The way they could bank on a dime was awesome...and that gun...damn.

[@infinitygirlak]

@@CMF-qh1rw, we got to Sembach in 1976. If I recall correctly, they were building the new grade school so we had to eat lunch every day in the base theater.

[@MZ-bl6wg]

That’s awesome! Similarly the morning after Irans missile attack on the Iraqi base that housed US and British troops , Hill Air Force Base in northern utah not for from me began an unannounced elephant walk of 72 F-35’s the following morning. They took off in succession , all 72 and headed north west for a little bit. With no training exercise announced most thought they were headed that direction but with no USAF response to the medias questions they returned and experts believe Trump asked for a “sh&t your pants action” to remind Iran of our capabilities. Sure it worked. Lol scary scary sight though especially considering Hill hd claimed to have 62 I believe and a bunch more were counted. I’ve never seen an A10 in person but he a10 wallpaper in the 80’s in my bedroom lol. Awesome!

[@justawhisperintheuniverse8257]

It's such an efficient machine. You have to appreciate a design like this.

[@alniedrich1245]

Spent 8+ years on the A-10 in Alaska (18th TFS) and England (78th & 91st TFS) as well as the LASTE team and all four Det's in Germany. Awesome jet!

[@silver_forest-k5i]

brrrrrrttt

[@jacara1981]

I remember a story I was told of Afghanistan by a friend. He worked on repairs of A10s. On one mission the Airforce was trying to attack a Taliban convoy moving through a tight canyon flanked with anti air. It was death from above if they sent helicopters, or troops. So they sent a pair of A10s in. They were shot to hell but took out their targets.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

This sounds like somewhat of an exaggeration. I heard the Taliban attempted to use smart tactics to entrap AC-130s (which are extremely vulnerable) into the range of their AA capable guns and despite the close calls they never caused extended damage to one. Not to mention that helicopters have the capability to fire from behind cover.

[@jacara1981]

@@ChucksSEADnDEAD who knows, I wasn't there, only know the story I was told by someone that was. But likely some exaggeration.

[@hughjass1976]

@@ChucksSEADnDEAD "helicopters have the capability to fire from behind cover" can you elaborate? I see no technology possible that would allow a helicopter to fire from behind cover, that a plane couldn't also employ

[@Chiitect98]

@@hughjass1976 AH-64D Apache's have a radar dome above their main rotor which allows them to lock their Hellfire missiles onto targets while hovering just below tree lines or hilltops. They can also transmit target information to other Apache's, possibly to Super Cobra's but I'm not sure about that one.

[@hughjass1976]

@@Chiitect98 right so the helicopter is behind cover, sees an enemy using its radar, fires a missile, which immediately contacts said cover

[@TheSakufighter]

Just the amount of hard points, fuel efficiency/loiter time, and maneuverability makes the A-10 a keeper and that’s not even mentioning the main gun which it was designed around.

[@Hawxx9194]

The A 10 has always been my favorite aircraft. Now this story has cemented that.

[@louisbecker5941]

When considering the Warthog's combat history- along with the engineered capability of flying only half of itself home when necessary, the A-10 has the biggest 'BALLS-to-WEIGHT' ratio of any aircraft in history.

[@owenshebbeare2999]

Actually quite a few aircraft have been able to survive similar damage, and a lot of the potential survivability does rely on luck.

[@EtherFox]

The De Havilland Mosquito begs to differ, but the A10 is certainly hardier with its fancy smancy metal alloys

[@phbrinsden]

Also biggest “balls to dollar” ratio!

[@psyclotronxx3083]

It looks cool too

[@michaeltempsch5282]

As some put it - "Ugly, but well hung."

[@newzerozeroone]

I grew up couple miles from DMAFB and our elementary school was on the flight path. I cant tell you how many times I sat and watched them maneuver or come in for repairs. I actually got to see one flying into base missing half a wing and a hole in the side of it. Ive always loved listening to them fly and theyre like lullabies for me. If I'm near base and relaxed I fall asleep every time.

[@dominicmanzella5493]

I love how Randall Munroe, author of xkcd comics, put the power of the gun in the warthog into perspective. If you were to mount one on top of your car, put the car in neutral, and started firing from a standstill, you'd be breaking the interstate in under 3 seconds. What's more, the gun produces 5 tons of recoil, while the jet engines provide only 4 tons each. If the warthog had two of these guns and fired both at the same time while completely opening the throttle, the guns would win and the plane would accelerate backwards with two tons of recoil.

[@SeanBZA]

Plus fire for 3 seconds and both engines flame out, due to the inlet air being more spent cordite than oxygen.

[@epremeaux]

IIRC early versions of the gun faring design had a tendency to garden hose the windshield with oil and smoke, leaving the pilot blind during firing. Even though the gun stabilization system always kept it on target, pilots still were like "yeah.. but Id still like to see!" so the engineers did some redesign.

[@MattBellzminion]

@@epremeaux So that was "God farting", followed by "pilots shitting".

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

@@SeanBZA Cordite is a very specific formula of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose extruded into cords that look like dry spaghetti. Modern powders for large bore cannons are usually tube-shaped pellets rather than long cords going from the base of the cartridge to the base of the bullet.

[@benpurcell4935]

@@SeanBZA That’s the reason every time the gun fires the engines at the same time are in a re ignition sequence to prevent that from happening because it happened enough times to be considered a problem.

[@TechnoGolem]

This has been my favorite military vehicle for as long as I can remember. Fell in love with it as a kid due to its unique look. It has remained my favorite since. I wanted to join the military as a teenager so I could fly one but sadly, health problems prevented me from joining.

[@DivineMind222]

I swear I've watched every damn A10 video there is but it never gets old! My all time favorite plane!!

[@jimepley1210]

Worked on these birds at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ back in the eighties (1984 - 1987). I've been retired for over 30 years and the hogs keep on flying. What a workhorse...

[@johnmagill9496]

I was there 86-87. I was a crew chief in the 333rd.

[@jimepley1210]

@@johnmagill9496 I left in Dec '86. I was EMS maintenance supervisor. Went to HQ USAFE at Ramstein AB Germany (FRG at the time).

[@KuyaHandyKap]

other than the AC130 and the Apache, warthogs are angels in the battlefield for ground infantry units.

[@MichaelSmith-kr9qw]

Cobra's are Angels as well that and the Almighty God B52

[@Paytrolah]

The B1B is the greatest CAS platform of all time.

[@DomepieceSON88]

@@Paytrolah B1 mission capable rate: 46% A10: 71%

[@alexander1485]

what about AH1 Cobra?

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

@@DomepieceSON88 At least it didn't get shot down by an Igla.

[@chrislong3938]

I once got to do a TDY to Hunter-Liggett in Ca to drive a major around. He said, "Long, let's take a drive..." We went up to the side of a mountain range where I'd actually been before with a counter-battery radar which was my normal MOS. We weren't far from our previous position and he goes, "Check this out!" and handed me his binocs... A single A-10 came screaming down the valley and let loose its 'burp' on some old M-60 tanks! I was stunned! I'd never heard of, much less seen such a plane!!! This was in '79 and I got out in '80. I then read a book about the plane. When you build a gun that has to have a plane designed around it... you now have true CAS. I re-up'd into the CANG as an APC driver just to hopefully see one of these in true action. No luck.

[@deviljelly3]

Can we have a "Mega Projects" about Mega Projects itself? In fact about you Simon and all of your channels, how it started, how you grew, the lows and the highs. You could give us a tour of Danny's writing dungeon and what you feed it (if it eats). I think we're all interested in your dark secrets.

[@drewrubtheMando]

Watching this beast in action, and knowing it’s sticking around for many more years, makes me smile.

[@voodoovinny7125]

As one of the soldiers that was always in small teamed missions on the ground, the A-10's were huge assets in comparison to others. They could stay closeby for long periods of time and supress large numbers of enemies. I know you did a video on them about not being as accurate as claimed, but they the massive amounts of ammo dumped on a target made that target ineffective regardless if it was destroyed or not by the A-10.

[@huntermitchell761]

It also doesn't have to be super accurate to be deadly as an antipersonnel weapon, considering a kill radius of ~5m for a single HE round, and 80% of shots from GAU-8 1200m away fall within a 12m circle, fragmentation and blast will kill just about anything it was aiming at.

[@pootyting3311]

Excellent commentary on the time on station. The capability to loiter and be ready for CAS for a longer time than any other aircraft in the arsenal makes me think of it still in favorable terms. I can understand those that want to retire the A10, but my followup question is to ask what the experienced infantry think ought to come as a replacement. Requirements for any replacement ought to include that long loiter time and capability to suppress many enemy ground forces. Things change on the battlefield, and the ability for friendly ground forces to have an extended communication time with the CAS aircraft ought be a high priority practical requirement. 👍👍

[@christophersine84]

The "chopper popper" is on display on the U.S. Air Force Academy grounds. I've driven by it many times. Most people don't even know it's significance. Another kind of cool feature, is the trigger causes the starters to fire on the engines. Apparently, the smoke from the gun can cause a flame out so the starters keep the engine spooled when firing

[@memnarch129]

Its not the smoke. That was taken care of with the ram scoop under the gun. It's the RECOIL that requires the starters. The engines provide I think 42 kilonewtons of thrust each. The guns recoil? Is 43 kilonewtons. So if the A 10 is flying at half thrust and fires the gun would literally stop all forward momentum and stall the aircraft. So to counter this the ingniters are tied to the trigger so IF the plane stalls the engines will reignite shortly after

[@astrophysicistguy]

You are correct, I’m a graduate of the AF Test Pilot SChool & during its flt test when we tested the GAU-8 for the first time it flamed out both engines & the TP had to eject and we lost the test aircraft …. That’s why they pay us the big bucks!

[@EricDKaufman]

Used to watch these guys do straffing runs at Dare Co. Bombing Range in North Carolina, and I was ALWAYS amazed at hearing the rounds hit the ground/target, before hearing the gun going off. WARTHOG FTW - We don't need to retire this plane. WE NEED MORE!!!!

[@Paytrolah]

We need modernised munitions not a fucking 1960's design that was obsolete on launch.

[@SephirothRyu]

We just need to update them. Their excellent performance at their role combined with their very low operational cost make them a great choice for air support. The more expensive planes can perform more specialized strikes and keep the air free of enemy fighters that would threaten the A-10.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I'm surprised China hasn't stolen the plans and made their own version

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

@@SephirothRyu The A-10 can be shot down by absolutely anything, including MANPADs. It's outdated garbage.

[@orlock20]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 The only place it would be viable is in Tibet against India.

[@zach11241]

When I was around eleven, I was at an air show and got to see two A-10s practice their figure eight loops against targets. Needless to say, it remains my favorite aircraft. A close second is the Apache followed by the F/A-18 and F-22.

[@mako9673]

I worked on this plane when I was in Desert Storm. My favorite aircraft of all time!

[@br6562]

Assigned to an A-10 unit for many years. Loved that aircraft.

[@mikefin65]

Worth mentioning in the transitional phase of Skyraiders to A-10, the Chance-Vought A7 Corsair was exemplary Attack type aircraft that served in mid-sixties up until Gulf War. Many of the 'tough' components, affordability, subsonic, accuracy, and durability was brought about by the A7 project. Good video and thanks for sharing.

[@dairyair5371]

I worked on the A7 and went PCS not too long after they were replaced by the A10. I would take any visiting relatives out to the range to watch them target practice just for the thrill of it and it made memories for a lifetime. I was surprised (but should have expected) that the A10 made a lower sound than the A7 but it would since it was the difference between a 20mm gun and a 30. I wanted the chance to work on the A10 so bad but it just didn't work out. For those wondering about the decals they were part of the succession of flying tigers.

[@sixpakshaker88]

I would love to see an episode on the A-1 Skyraider. Especially the story of the time it dropped a toilet in combat.

[@hokutoulrik7345]

From what I understand of that story, the officer in charge of the flight deck was not happy with that particular bit of ordinance, but had no chance to stop it because he only saw it right as the plane launched due to the crews blocking it from his sight.

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Or how they shot down some jet migs.

[@Elthenar]

@@hokutoulrik7345 Yup. You can find the picture on the internet. Apparently when it dropped the toilet, it caught the wind, came back and almost hit the airplane.

[@mikeoliver3254]

I worked on the A-10 as a sheet metal troop for most of my career in the Air Force, I miss working on them and am very glad to hear about the wing replacement. Fantastic aircraft that can take a beating and keep on kicking.

[@Inspadave]

The wing replacement program is money that should be spent on other more capable platforms.

[@mikeoliver3254]

@@Inspadave bold words from someone who obviously does not know the platform.

[@gregoryfrance1723]

After I got out of the Aor Force in 1988 and got to weld repair KC135, RC135, F15s and was on laon to Det 1, 9th SRW in Oninawa, Japan I got to do welding on the SR-71 Blackbird for 1 month in 1984 amd tje last halff of 1985. But after I got out, a year later I was in the ANG at Madison, WI that had A10s at the time. Fell in Love with that aircraft as much as the Blackbird. If I had what it takes to be a Pilot, and could choose any aorcraft I wanted to fly. The A10 would be my 1st choice.

[@WasabiSniffer]

So happy you finally did this one. Can’t remember how long I’ve been asking for this. People say she’s ugly, but then she wasn’t made to do pretty things. The F35 might be the latest and greatest but so far nothing can match the sound of an A10 screaming into the airspace, like the loudest most violent guardian angel on your shoulder. Now that you’ve fulfilled one request, I’ll keep up with this other Cold War project, the Bradley AFV. It’s development and effect on armored and mechanized warfare doctrine.

[@FuzzyWCTX]

And if she can get a shot off at that low of an altitude, she'd take out most other fighter.

[@MitchCyan]

Some planes have guns, and some guns have a plane built around them.

[@apex_blue]

Fun fact: The original thunderbolt the p-47 was designed around its engine like the a-10 was designed around its gun.

[@randybentley2633]

That's where the Soviets messed up when they tried to shoehorn their 30mm into the Mig-27 as an afterthought instead of purposefully designing them to go together. The number of times that their guns either caused the plane to have to emergency land, is they were lucky or tore the plane apart in the sky after a single pull of the trigger is astounding.

[@tr4l1975]

A very well designed carrying case with passenger seats.

[@thequixoticangler3364]

Okay, so I grew up on and around 2 of the biggest A10 stations in America. I was a hangar rat as a kid. The Warthog is my favorite airplane ever. Slow, ugly, and a sitting duck in a dogfight. In spite of that, it's absolutely the sound of God to an infantry division in combat. If you actually hear or see it, that means all the bad guys are dead. Watched an exercise at Camp Robinson AR. Russian MLRS division vs the A 10 team. It wasn't close. We got to sit in both HQ units. The Russian one was hectic. Constantly yelling. The A 10 side was quiet. It was interesting. Cold and precise. Again, you don't see it until the damage is done. Everything blows up then you see that ugly pig. It's a beautiful thing. Thanks for the video. My favorite war machine.

[@TheHungarianMan]

A Video about the A-10 on Christmas Eve? This is the real gift!

[@Genecaster]

The A10 is easily my favorite plane in existence. It is in my opinion the perfect intersection of advanced technology while not being overburdened and overcomplicated by tech that it becomes too cumbersome. A great plane in every regard.

[@KoishiVibin]

hang on is this the funny mechwarrior man of grimmechs

[@haidengeary8277]

In every regard, really? Despite on how inaccurate it is?

[@LeMAD22]

The A-10 is widely considered an awful aircraft. As simple as it is useless.

[@Funko777]

​@@LeMAD22 true, but I wouldn't say it's useless for how the US fights wars. We always strive to have air superiority and the A-10 wouldn't be used before that time since its a big slow fat boi however I'm pretty sure it does cause more blue on blue incidents than anything else in the US arsenal partly because it is inaccurate partly because it's missing some kind of modern tracker/sensor/pilot HUD or something like that. I do know most A-10 pilots hate it but oh well. It's still pretty bad ass and definitely does scare the enemy do that's gotta count for something

[@yankee5051]

Another excellent presentation, Simon. You may be interested to know that the A-10 was originally manufactured by the erstwhile Fairchild Republic Company in Farmingdale New York. You can add this one as a bookend to your other recent video on the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was manufactured by Grumman (now Northrup Grumman) formerly headquartered in Bethpage NY, the town of my birth. FYI Bethpage and Farmingdale are literally next to each other. With Republic and Grumman as the makers of planes like the P-47 Thunderbolt, the F4F Wildcat, F6F Hellcat and the TBF Avenger, meant that these few modest square miles saw the creation of some of the most iconic combat aircraft of WWII and beyond. In short, while Grumman was making its 'Cats,' Republic was dishing out the 'Hogs.'

[@davidbradford7105]

P-47 was used as an example of an attack aircraft but was designed as an interceptor. It was so tough that it could be used as a great ground attack aircraft.

[@Mr.J.S.in.A.Z.]

one thing you missed is how quiet the plane is compared to most modern jets. as a retired Navy Aviation mech on F/A-18 i can not even explain the difference in noise levels, it is night and day. here in tucson (home of the A-10) the locals like to bitch that the A-10 makes to much noise, i just giggle and say you have no idea. be glad they are not F-14's or 15's flying overhead all day.

[@CZPanthyr]

I lived in Tucson and worked at Davis-Monthan AFB when the A-10s arrived. I was a fuel systems mechanic and got to work on them. They are the most amazing plane, both in the air and on the ground, for the ground support crews. They are easy, easy, easy to work on!

[@hokutoulrik7345]

I never understood that either. When I was doing a run for the 12th AF commander, I was talking with the lady from the protocol office and she said they get all kinds of complaints about the noise. All I have to say is what noise? The A-10 and the C-130s assigned there are pretty damn quite. The only time there is noise is when AMARG is regenerating or receiving an aircraft. Like when we had B-1Bs coming in for modifications. Those where some loud nights when those left.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@@hokutoulrik7345 , indeed. A couple Bones taking off with the burners lit up is beyond loud. It’s more a physical experience than an aural one.

[@hokutoulrik7345]

@@Bill_N_ATX yeah, apparently the tower wouldn't grant full afterburn clearance in take off. They were empty of everything besides the new sniper pod and fuel, so it wasn't needed, but it denied them the opportunity to show off. Still shook the dispatch building at the motor pool when they launched.

[@Paytrolah]

Severely underpowered engines. They lack the grunt to push against a refueling tanker for the damn tube to work.

[@engineeredmedia7490]

This became my favourite military aircraft when I first saw it, due to the unique design to anything else and loved it more finding out it's full specs. I had a model, which cost a lot for a young teen at the time and wished I still had it now...

[@zepedrofd]

"She's not the slickest piece of machinery I've ever designed...but she got the job done!"...said by it's creator with a smile, visibly proud of his baby!

[@TheRiverPirate13]

The A-10 is one of my most favorite military aircraft. The nose art painted around the Avenger cannon on these planes looks so wicked!

[@PeefSpogdar69]

The A10 is probably my favorite plane ever made

[@Echo4Sierra4160]

They built a gun so awesome they attached a plane to it.

[@Lonewolfmike]

When they were testing the A-10 they actually had to use a 20mm Vulcan in the nose because the Avenger wasn't quite done, yet.

[@2ToneWalt]

The A10 sends fear through the hearts of the enemy just with the mention of it.

[@Callsign_Spartacus_37Fox]

When deployed and in battle, the 2 most beautiful sounds in the world are; A-10s on a gun run and the sound of a CAS-EVAC (casualty evacuation) helicopter landing to pick you up, in that order. In PsyOps we used them for leaflet drops, extreme low altitude flybys to put the fear of Allah in the enemy, and of course CAS (Close Air Support) to remove the enemy when all else failed.

[@martinhafner2201]

An A-10 air group was in Boise, Idaho when I lived there and then moved to Tucson, Arizona when I moved. Weird luck. I liked watching them train in pairs. As an added benefit, the 30mm shell can be turned into an excellent shot glass.

[@OmgItsShadow99]

i'm sure i'm not alone when i say this. but the A-10 Warthog is one of if not the best ground strike aircraft ever. And lets be honest here, the A-10 is a pretty badass looking plane and sounds like one too.

[@philosborn1840]

I first heard of this fighter in the gulf war. I remember CNN would tell how the aircraft would come in for quick patching, then immediately put back into combat. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@markgreiser464]

My Grandfather was on Joint Chiefs as a Command Sergeant Major. He showed me the original Trials films of the Aircraft,, as he evaluated it's performance. Stunning.

[@deathsicon]

How did he get through the whole video without saying Brrrrrrrt? Also no mention of how when retirement was mentioned for the hog, ground troops went ballistic and protested to keep it in service, it wasn't just the army as a conglomerate, merely knowing that an a10 is nearby is a huge morale booster for infantry

[@Paytrolah]

Crayon eating grunts whine over everything. In a real war they would be crying when every a10 is instantly shot down and they're getting butt fucked by chinese troops.

[@PetersonZF]

One of my all time favourite planes. Used to love calling in the airstrike from these guys in Command & Conquer Generals.

[@covercalls88]

I have several radio control A10 and no matter the size they all fly smoothly and are fairly maneuverable given its size. Performance has never disappointed me.

[@circuitbreaker7765]

Lethal art. Great job. I was security forces deployed in Qatar and I saw a whole bunch of A-10s leave and all I can think of is someone going to have a bad day.

[@srg08]

Or a good day and return to tell the tale.

[@jefftroyer1151]

I was an army anti tank gunner in the 82nd airborne. We loved the A-10 best friend to every one in the infantry

[@stephenhagen8976]

I grew up a couple hundred miles from Whiteman airforce base, and was often buzzed at low altitude by A-10s. Was cool, but my friends and I always felt a little shorted that we didn't have the cool fighter planes. Then the first gulf war happened... We now had the most loved plane in the airforce!

[@TheRiverPirate13]

The A-10 nose art is very iconic and terrifying to look at!

[@mboiko]

Growing up in Farmingdale NY my Dad was an engineer on the A-10. I once asked him what was the toughest design problem on the A-10 and he said getting the vertical engine(s) height right without negatively influencing the flight control surfaces of the tail section either aerodynamically or through long-term thermal load. Also, remember the day when they lost their test pilot flying a prototype at the Paris Air Show. Sad day at Fairchild Republic for many. No sooner were the first airframes rolling off the assembly line... than the Air Force was trying to kill the A-10...they hated it. There were many discussions about this around the dinner table when I was a kid. It was always a battle during those early days to keep the project going. Glad to see they are still flying...much design thought went into making it tough and very survivable...that was always a common talked about theme.

[@charlespenny7059]

Fantastic airplane that I helped bring into service when I was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in the 1970s. It was much different then, but still an extremely capable aircraft.

[@Sailorvista]

Still see A-10 and F-16 practicing touch and go and runway runs all the time

[@RussianThunderrr]

I’m surprised that you didn’t mention the most numerous and famous ground attack IL-2. A-10 using similar gondolas to stow main landing gear, and wheels are actually protruding outside enabling “штурмовик” to land even if battle damage prevents it to be extended for landing.

[@johnc2438]

Ahhhhh yes. The Sturmovik! That was a perfect plane to do a very similar job in WWII that the Warthog does now! And they built thousands of them during the Great Patriotic War! Happy New Year to you! -- retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer.

[@RussianThunderrr]

@@johnc2438 - Thanks, John. Happy New Year to you too! P.S. Hog, if not for look, it’s the best of them all, though. I had a luck to meet A-10 pilot who flew in Kosovo, he said that the only thing he need is a GAU gun to solve any problem on the ground, anything else under his wing is just a bonus.

[@big_ute]

Seen the hog in action numerous times in afghanistan, the sound of the engines and the main gun is music to my ears and something I will never forget.

[@rengarcia5189]

Yep, hearing those huge bullets rip through the sound barrier is quite the experience. A pretty scary sound, the only thing that comes close is the tyrannic roar of a B-52 coming at you low and slow.

[@sophistichistory4645]

Virtually every one of these bad boys has my dad's fingerprints all over it. He was a master aircraft mechanic who cut his teeth at Lockheed before moving over to Fairchild-Republic.

[@MJNITRO73]

The Warthog is my favorite aircraft. My mother was an Aircraft Electritian at McClellan attached to the A-10s. I remember crawling around them. They are awesome!!

[@pringlized]

Never flew one. But easily my favorite aircraft of all time. 300 knots. Its a friggin' tank in the sky.