Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-10>HA1306
A-10A "Black Lightning", 118th F/S/103rd FW Connecticut ANG commemorating 118th RS P-51 in WWII
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.
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
2003 marked the 80th anniversary of the 118th FS, the third oldest ANG squadron. They wanted to celebrate the occasion with a special paint scheme for their A-10A. Aircraft 78-621 was selected for the modernized version of the scheme that was inspired by the 118ths WWII P-51s with black lightning bolts on the side. This was how the WWII group got the name the "Black Lightning Squadron" and the 103rd FW "wing jet" became known as "Black Lightning". The 103rd FW markings were eventually restored to the engine.
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 |