General Information

A-10 was the first USAF aircraft designed specifically for 'Close Air Support' (CAS) . It can be described as the outcome of the experience gained in the Vietnam War and the threats of the Soviet Union armor forces during the Cold War era. The first A-10A 'Thunderbolt II' was delivered October 1975 and deployment in March 1976.

A-10's pilot is protected by titanium armor around his seat and the canopy is a large bubble canopy which provides all-round vision. The aircraft is designed with dual engines and the self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam . Extra titanium is used to protect some flight control system parts of the aircraft. All these insure the plane and pilot's safety from enemy fires.

Though A-10 may be slow comparing to other aircrafts, it is extremely maneuverable and have proven itself as a deadly machine. Its main weapon, the GAU-8A gun, can fire 30mm shells made of uranium at a rate of 4,000 rounds a minute which is sufficient to destroy most armored targets.

About this Aricraft

The A-10a No.78-0681 was flown by Captain Paul Johnson during Operation Desert StormĦħ in early 1991. During Day 3 of the air war, Captain Johnson provided SAR cover for a downed US F-14 Tomcat crew for nearly 10 hours only 80 nautical miles from Baghdad . He was awarded the Air Force Cross and the aircraft is now displayed at the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

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