[elbucko]

Agreed. The A-10 is actually an advanced design for old purpose. The Air Force would be doing the country a disservice by Dx-ing the Hog.

But this sort of "Brass Blindness" isn't new. The Air Corp Generals did not want the P-51 Mustang when it first came out.

[AbsoluteJustice]

Agreed.

[WhiskeyPapa]

The Air Corp Generals did not want the P-51 Mustang when it first came out.

Right. They put their bets on the P-47 and P-38.

It's a real shame that the USAAF brass didn't provide long range escort for the bombers over Europe from the very first. They thought the B-17s could get to their targets okay and buzz saw the German fighter force too. They had some early sucesses, but the Germans adapted and General Eaker did not. The average B-17 was only lasting 11 missions at one point.

The P-38 had a lot of problems but those could have been smoothed out. It was shown that even a few P-38's could disrupt Lutwaffe defensive efforts. There should have been a lot more a lot sooner. In 1942 the brass transfered the one P-38 group in England to Africa any way.

Walt

[Conspiracy Guy]

The P51 was a dog with the original Allison engine. The Brits jammed a Rolls Royce Merlin in her and the rest is history. The A10 was a sweetheart from the get go. I was stationed at McConnell AFB Wichita KS when the hog was still in final stages of Flyoff at the Hutchison KS Gunnery range. It is one mean bird. I'm glad I got to see her before production began. I don't think she'll die this time either.

[Blood of Tyrants]

That is because the P-51 was built for the British, not the Americans. As it was originally built, it was a good aircraft but it didn't have the power or the range wit the U.S. built Allison engines. So the British took the first few P-51's and replaced the underpowered gas guzzler with a powerful, fuel efficient, Rolls Royce Merlin engine and the aircraft went from wheezing old nag to the Mustang.

After that, the Army Air Corps decided that the Mustang just might have a place next to the P-47's and P-38's.

[AbsoluteJustice]

It is the only aircraft that can go through the AA pounding that it can. I mean this aircraft can essentially lose its shell and still hum.