A-10 Thunderbolt II by junge1
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Description
The A/OA Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system.
The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm.
During the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
It has a 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun that can fire 3,900 rounds a minute. During a visit to the Barry Goldwater Range in Southern Arizona I had the opportunity to see this aircraft and its gun in action. Between seeing the puffs of the rounds as they leave the aircraft, the puffs of dust on the berm where the rounds hit, and the sound of the supersonic rounds going through the air, all within a fraction of a second, is an unforgettable experience.
This picture was taken on 20 March 2009.
Thank you for viewing and commenting and any favs,
Sig.....
Comments (41)
kgb224
Excellent capture my friend.
thevolunteer
Wow, zoom is fantastic. You can almost make out the pilot. Nice shot Sig. Aloha
lucindawind
ohh excellent capture!!
Stelwire
Impressive and you did your homework too!
timtripp
first class shot! great work sig.
shadownet
Great capture.
jocko500
wow that is something to run cold blood up your back if you the enemy. cool shot of this
DennisReed
Cool!
jeroni
Excellent shot, fantastic colors and details
MagikUnicorn
AWESOME SNAP
rawdodb
The Ugly little plane that can!!!!! These have always impressed me... Definitly would not want to see one with me in it's sights... My Dad Live in Tucson and gets to witness the flight training as they fly over. Great Photo..
junge1
Note: The information provided, except for my own personal experience at the Barry Goldwater Range, is directly from the special edition of 'The Luke Air Force Base Thunderbolt' paper, Sig...
bclaytonphoto
These were called "tank killers" if I am not mistaken
annie5
That's a great capture Sig! :)
Minda
love it sig really awesome capture you are great photographer...:)
Osper
Called the "Iron Cross" by the Warsaw Pact. Nice shot!
duncanoooo
My favorite airplane of all time. LOVE IT!!!!
danapommet
Great capture and excellent narative. Dana P
beachzz
Wow, the zoom is spectacular!!
renecyberdoc
This is really something my friend,in this whole "serie"you show is relly great birds and also the information is coming well.
kenwas
Great capture!
PIERRE25
Jolie capture!
fredster66
Awesome!
bmac62
Good shot Sig...I've had friends who have flown these and they all speak very highly of them. POV from my friends in armor on the ground though is a bit leary...during the Gulf War some of these birds were flying so high (15,000') that the friendlies on the ground were concerned about being mistaken for the enemy. There's two sides to every story:)
beatoangelico
AWESOME CAPTURE..COMPLIMENT..!!!! VERAMENTE BRAVO..!!!
debbielove
A groin rattlingly good picture! Ha! These always used to roam around where I live. There are a couple of USAF bases fairly nearby. Never managed to fly in straight lines! Always doing half barrel rolls..... Don't know why? Fun? Fave Shot! Well done, mate! Rob.
flavia49
Fantastic shot!!!
sandra46
amazing shot!!!great plane!
densa
fantastic aircraft and shot
flora-crassella
großartiges Foto!