I continue to create a collection of infographics on aviation topics. Today’s guest of our blog needs no introduction! The legendary Warthog bursts onto the screens of our monitors with his famous BRRRRT.
Deniss Ignatjev
The Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed Warthog, is an American single-seat twin-engine attack aircraft designed to provide close air support to ground forces, destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets. The aircraft entered service in 1976 and is currently the only US Air Force aircraft designed and used exclusively for solving the task of close air support.
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10 Little Known Facts about Warthog
1) The cockpit of the A-10 is surrounded by a 1,200-pound titanium “bathtub” to protect the pilot.
2) The A-10 carries the heaviest automatic cannon ever mounted on an aircraft, the 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger. The cannon makes up approximately 16% of the aircraft’s weight.
3) The leading edges of the wing and tail are made in the form of honeycomb panels, which makes them more resistant to combat damage.
4) Many A-10s have a fake canopy painted on the aircraft’s belly to confuse enemy forces as to the aircraft’s position.
5) The front landing gear has been offset to allow room for the 30mm cannon.
6) The ailerons are significantly larger than most aircraft, making the A-10 very maneuverable at low speeds.
7) The wheels on the main landing gear protrude from the nacelles even when they are retracted, which causes less damage to the aircraft if it has to land with the landing gear up.
8) The aircraft is designed to fly with one engine, one tail, one elevator and half of one wing.
9) The high-mounted engines are tilted up 9 degrees to prevent the aircraft from pitching down.
10) The 30mm cannon fires depleted uranium shells at a rate of fire of 3900 rounds per minute.
References: Wikipedia