What has more Longevity then a Bronco?

[North7]

The A-10 Warthog, which first entered service in the late 1970s, by a long shot, it has survived more plans to kill it off then the Bronco ever did, and it handles better off-road.

The U.S. Air Force has decided to keep the A-10 “Warthog” close air support jet in service until 2040. The jet, designed to dominate Cold War battlefields, will still be flying 50 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The A-10 Warthog Will Fly Into the 2040s

Why the A-10 Warthog Is Such a Badass Plane

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[frinesi2]

We love our Warthogs in Maryland.

 

[Nickp]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTT

 

[North7]

But they are not invincible, I've seen plenty of photos of A-10's half blown apart and they still fly and land.

Then this month one belly lands, with the canopy missing? Not saying the pilot panicked, then decided to ride her in, but with live ordnance on the wing, ah, I think this pilot will be standing in front of the base commanders desk explaining that one.

A-10 Warthog Pulls Off Emergency Belly Flop After Landing Gear Malfunction

 

[JimmyDean]

I loved those planes when I was in the USAF, only got to work on one that landed at our base with issues one weekend while I was on duty.

 

[securitysix]

Some engineer: Hey, guys! I created a multi-barrel rotary cannon that fires depleted uranium slugs. It's the ultimate tank killer!

Some military decision maker: Great! What planes do we have that it will fit in?

Some engineer: Um....

Republic Aviation: Hold my beer.

 

[The Pope]

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

But they are not invincible, I've seen plenty of photos of A-10's half blown apart and they still fly and land.

Then this month one belly lands, with the canopy missing? Not saying the pilot panicked, then decided to ride her in, but with live ordnance on the wing, ah, I think this pilot will be standing in front of the base commanders desk explaining that one.

A-10 Warthog Pulls Off Emergency Belly Flop After Landing Gear Malfunction

Wonder if popping the lid is a standard procedure when preparing to belly land the plane in case you need to punch if the landing is going badly?

 

[BAUS67]

Truly one Badass Mo' Fo' !!!!!

Went to the local airshow in my early years and saw the C5A Galaxy and the A-10 on display. The A-10 pilot gave me a souvenir ……..

It's funny how the topic comes up 40 years later in a Bronco forum. I think most that know an A-10 Warthog knows what the pic is BBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[MaverickMan]

That was the first plane I ever stole! Well the only one, when I was a kid shopping at Meijers I put a Matchbox car sized one in my Marty McFly vest jacket pocket and forgot about it till the ride home. It was one that color changed camo when you put it in hot water. My parents took me back the next day to pay for it. Had to bring all the money in my piggy bank with me because I didnt know what it cost. It became one of my favorite military type toys till I got my Top Gun Tomcat with functional wings and missle launcher.

 

[frinesi2]

Here's an A10 related story:

When I was a CAP cadet we got a tour of the Warfield ANG base. We went in on of the hangers to see some A10s being worked on and, as the tour guide was showing us the dummy bullet, one of the mechanics broke a line or something and hydraulic fluid starts pouring out all over the ground from under the plane. He turns around, sees our tour group, gives an exaggerated bow, and walks out of the hangar. I still chuckle at that to this day.

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