The Greatest Attack Aircraft of All Time...

[dinos7]

well the jaguar does have the ability to defend itself, but so does the A-10. i saw a f-16 and an a-10 go at it in a training exercise, and the A-10 beat the f-16, im not sure if anyone will believe me.

 

[Matt308]

That I would like to see. What was the scenario? Both start with low-E? Guns only? Can't imagine a 16 getting themselves in a position where the A-10 would have a chance. If so, that was a critical mistake.

 

[Hunter368]

A-10 my vote. It is not the newest bird out there but she gets the job done and looks mean and can take a beating.

 

[evangilder]

So what you are saying Evanguilder is that the A-10 is like a modern B-17 Flying Fortress? It can take a massive amount of damage and still keep on flying...

Yes and no. Yes in the ability to sustain a large amount of damage and make it home. But there is a difference in roles, obviously.

 

[davparlr]

The Skyraider is frickin awesome. I remember standing there in the museum at P'cola ogling over one for like 45 mins. My wife didn't get it... they never do...

A placard said that the left turning tendencies were so severe that during full power T/O roll rull right rudder was not enough to offset, so the engine was mounted off center.

If you think the A-1 was impressive, what did you think of the Martin Mauler sitting next to it? More powerful still!

 

[davparlr]

Take it from an old Scooter driver, it's the A-4 Skyhawk by a wide margin...
(Unless you are talking active inventory.)

The A-4 was a tough old workhorse and was a great, flexable, air-to ground aircraft (and I believe the hot rod version was a Top Gun aggressor too!), but I think it lacked the loiter and load carrying capacity of the A-10. Survivability was probably similar, the A-4 was faster (less exposer) but more vunerable while the A-10 was slow but built like a tank. Apparently the A-4 and A-7 did not provide all the ground support that was needed since the A-1 continued to be operated throughout the war.

 

[davparlr]

I think the A-10 is the best attack but and A-10 would not be any harder to shoot down with a SAM than any other conventional aircraft.

I am not sure I agree with this. Redundancy and armament certainly makes it a difficult nut to crack. It would be more tolerant to warhead size and circle of error misses. On a one event bases, the A-10 would probably be more survivable than typical jet aircraft. Slow speed would make it more susceptable to multiple targeting, however.

 

[mkloby]

If you think the A-1 was impressive, what did you think of the Martin Mauler sitting next to it? More powerful still!

YEAH BABY! That whole museum is awesome... except the jets don't interest me!

 

[davparlr]

YEAH BABY! That whole museum is awesome... except the jets don't interest me!

I love those early jets too. I grew up with them, F9F, F11F, F4D, all. My favorite airplane of all time is the F8U. It just looks different and great. The A5D, beautiful.

 

[davparlr]

I love those early jets too. I grew up with them, F9F, F11F, F4D, all. My favorite airplane of all time is the F8U. It just looks different and great. The A5D, beautiful.

Oops, I mean the A-5 (A3J) Vigilante, not A5D.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I am not sure I agree with this. Redundancy and armament certainly makes it a difficult nut to crack. It would be more tolerant to warhead size and circle of error misses. On a one event bases, the A-10 would probably be more survivable than typical jet aircraft. Slow speed would make it more susceptable to multiple targeting, however.

I think I worded my post wrong, because I agree with you completely.

 

[HealzDevo]

What about the F/A 18? What do you think about that from an attack aircraft basis? I know it is mostly fielded as a fighter/bomber but I am interested on hearing your opinions on the attack part of the role... Also the F-15 Strike Eagle does some ground attack so should it really be the F/A-15 Strike Eagle in reality?

 

[102first_hussars]

F/A18 isnt anything compared to the A-10, it doesnt have the ability to manouver at such low speeds as 200 mph like the A-10 can, its not armoured like the A-10 is, its cannons are designed to shoot down planes rather than lay down a feild of fire, the F/A 18 is also loud as F*CK which doesnt help if its coming at ground level and is about 10 seconds from greasing a group of ground targets. and those are just a few reasons

 

[R-2800]

/A18 isnt anything compared to the A-10, it doesnt have the ability to manouver at such low speeds as 200 mph like the A-10 can, its not armoured like the A-10 is, its cannons are designed to shoot down planes rather than lay down a feild of fire, the F/A 18 is also loud as F*CK which doesnt help if its coming at ground level and is about 10 seconds from greasing a group of ground targets. and those are just a few reasons

I agree

 

[Matt308]

Can't compare the two. Different missions.

 

[102first_hussars]

And not to bash the f-18 its a good plane, it just isnt a commited Ground Attacker

 

[HealzDevo]

Just thought I would ask about that as it had an F/A Designation...

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Fighter/Attack

 

[102first_hussars]

I think he knew that, he just thought he would ask because of the F/A designation

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i don't think you should think about it being too specialised in the attack role, just that she can haul a lot of ordinance......