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Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-10>HA1303

A-10A "Peanut" 917th TFW Desert Storm
HA1303
General Background
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 isa 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 aircraft s, 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.
The Aircraft
In order to develop better camouflage for Desert Storm , the USAF tested two experimental paint schemes of the A-10 in 1991. One of the A-10 from 917 th TFG (47 th TFS) at Barksdale AFB was selected. It was known as the “Peanut ” because of its brown special brown scheme (the other was known as the “Flipper” with a similar grey scheme). Both were not adopted finally and this “ 76-0552 ” was repainted in the usual grey but never went to Desert Storm. From 1993 to 1996, b ased at Aviano Air Base in Italy , the 47 th flew 501 sorties as part of the NATO peacekeeping effort in Bosnia-Herzegovina .
Specifications :
Crew : One
Main role : A-10 - close air support, OA-10 - airborne forward air control
Manufacturer : Fairchild Republic Co.
Power Plants : Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust : 9,065 pounds per engine
Length : 16.16 meters
Height : 4.42 meters
Wingspan : 17.42 meters Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)
Ceiling : 13,636 meters
Maximum Takeoff Weight : 22,950 kg.
Range : 800 miles (695 nautical miles)
Armament : One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun (fixed)
  Maximum 7,200 kg of mixed ordnance including :
225 kg “ Mk-82 ” and 900 kg “ Mk-84 ” series low/high drag bombs,
incendiary cluster bombs,
combined effects munitions,
mine dispensing munitions,
AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs ,
infrared countermeasure flares ,
electronic countermeasure chaff ,
jamming pods ,
6.99 cm (2.75in.) rockets ,
illumination flares ,
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles