How to Identify an A-10 Thunderbolt II

The A-10 - designated Thunderbolt II by the U.S. Air Force - is the first U.S. aircraft designed for close air support. Simple, rugged and deadly, the A-10 proved its value during Operation Desert Storm, the Allied operation to liberate Kuwait.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Film
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Computers
• Camcorders
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Lenses
• SLR Camera
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Aircraft Band Scanner
• Air & Space Subscriptions
• Aviation Illustrated Magazine
• Telescopes
• Aviation History Subscription
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Polaroid Cameras
• Polaroid Film
• Desert Storm: Original Air Footage Videos

1. Look for a relatively small airplane. The A-10 is slightly more than 50 feet long with a wingspan reaching nearly 60 feet.

2. Check the wings. The A-10's wings are straight rather than swept back.

3. Look closely at the wings. Notice multiple pylons for mounting munitions.

4. Check an A-10 while on the ground. It sits up quite high on its landing gear to allow clearance for its weapons load.

5. Notice the cockpit is mounted far forward. Its position increases pilot visibility.

6. Look at the bottom of the nose. The chin-like extension is a 30-millimeter Gatling cannon.

7. Note the engines. Two General Electric turbofan jets are mounted in parallel high on the fuselage between the wing and the rear stabilizers.

8. Note the front view. The fuselage is narrow and the wings have an upward slant.

9. Remember, the A-10 has twin vertical stabilizers mounted at the ends of a long, horizontal stabilizer.

10. Listen for the distinctive, high-pitched whine of the A-10's engines if you see it in flight.

Tips & Warnings

• Pilots and crew have affectionately nicknamed the A-10 the "Warthog."
• The original Thunderbolt was the P-47, a World War II fighter that proved exceptionally adaptable to tactical, close air support.
• The A-10 can carry up to 16,000 pounds of munitions and loiter at an area of operations for a significant length of time.
• The A-10's 30mm, Gatling-style cannon fires depleted-uranium projectiles capable of penetrating most armor.
• The A-10's pilot sits in a cockpit tub made of highly resistant titanium and operates systems with sufficient redundancy to allow his aircraft to survive significant battle damage.
• The Warthog does its work low and slow. While it has a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and a top speed of 420 mph, it's meant to operate under 1,000 feet in visibility conditions as low as 1.5 miles.
• Remember, more than half of the 274 A-10s are assigned to the Air National Guard and the US Air Force Reserve. You might see one operating from or near a civilian airport.
• Some Warthogs carry the designation OA-10, which means they are used in a forward air-control capacity.
• Airport security is tight. Obey all regulations.

on 12/20/2005 The A-10's front landing gear is not centered on the jet, it is actually the gun that is centered. And the gun was not built for the aircraft, the aircraft was actually built around the gun. And when in flight, the main landing gear is not completely pulled inside, part of the tires stay visible.