Thunderbolt in Action Video

Shay · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:41 am

"II" that is.

These guys and gals must have the most fun of all USAF pilot. :twisted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gCNavxS4ec

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Shay · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:26 pm

Here's another good WartHog Video. Some of the same shots as the 1st video but alot of good different ones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pNvSPsxMYQ

Anyone know how many A-10 drivers scored air to air kills in a Thunderbolt?

Shay
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Former Member · **Joined:** Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:40 pm **Posts:** 1493

Shay wrote:

Here's another good WartHog Video. Some of the same shots as the 1st video but alot of good different ones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pNvSPsxMYQ

Anyone know how many A-10 drivers scored air to air kills in a Thunderbolt?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Shay,

I'm definately no expert on the subject but I've never heard of any A-10 pilot with a confirmed air-to-air kill. The warthogs are ground attack aircraft and to my knowledge they don't even carry stinger missiles or any other air-to-air missiles (you A.F. guys can correct me on that if I'm wrong). One would think that an A-10 pilot would have a pretty good change of shooting down a slow moving helicopter if the opportunity presented itself. With the firepower of that 30mm gatling gun you're bound to hit at least something.

One also has to keep in mind that there weren't a lot of aircraft to shoot at during the 1st Gulf War and the initial opening stages of the Iraq War. Being a veteran of the first Gulf War and watching first hand the A-10's awesome firepower, one actually has to feel sorry for the poor soul on the receiving end of this beast! :twisted:

John

Shay · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:21 pm

jpeters wrote:

I've never heard of any A-10 pilot with a confirmed air-to-air kill. The warthogs are ground attack aircraft and to my knowledge they don't even carry stinger missiles or any other air-to-air missiles

John,

I know of one case and point. A letter on http://www.a-10.org from the 354th TFW out of Myrtle Beach talks about the first Air-To-Air Kill on a Iraqi Helo during Desert Storm.

Quote:

As you should've heard by now a Hog got it's first air-to-air kill on a helo (BO-105). He gunned it, but tried first with the AIM-9. Did you know we carry (2) now on station 1? Pretty new (this past early summer my squadron was first to get them).

Capt. Jack W. Thomas, USAF

Capt. Thomas (I think) is referring to Capt. Robert Swain, a pilot assigned to the 706th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Naval Air Station New Orleans, La., scored the first-ever A-10 air-to-air kill when he shot down an Iraqi helicopter over central Kuwait.

and as for the Warthog's Air-to-Air Capabilities, I've seen alot of them carrying 2 Aim-9 Sidewiders

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Trey Carroll · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:00 pm

I think Randy told me there was one called "chopper popper"

Probably the same hog'

tc

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

I love the Hogs!

Boneyard · **Joined:** Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:32 am **Posts:** 105

"Chopper Popper", 77-0205, is now displayed at the Academy in Colorado Springs.

Here's a link to the story http://calbears.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20020501/ai_n10002279

Boneyard · **Joined:** Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:32 am **Posts:** 105

And there is always the A-10 that Capt. Kim Campbell brought home ...

http://s96920072.onlinehome.us/Stories1/001-100/0016_A-10-battle-damage/story0016.htm

This particular aircraft is now at AMARC in dismantled state.

Shay · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:13 am

It's simply ironic that an aircraft that the USAF Higher-Ups did not want, projectedly will be around until 2028.

Any chance of a seeing a Warthog in civilian hands? I know the FireHogs concept fell through.

Shay
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Former Member · **Joined:** Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:40 pm **Posts:** 1493