Not too many people know that a lot of the design for the A-10 was based on the experience of Hans-Ulrich Rudel, an amazing Stuka pilot of WWII.
“Rudel flew 2,530 combat missions claiming a total of 2,000 targets destroyed; including 800 vehicles, 519 tanks, 150 artillery pieces, 70 landing craft, nine aircraft, four armored trains, several bridges, a destroyer, two cruisers, and the Soviet battleship Marat.”
N.B.: He died of old age, a testament to his skill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel
Post 46; especially this part: “The A-10 is called the Thunderbolt II, as in the grand-baby of the old WWII P-47 combined with the old A-1 Skyraider.”
Notwithstanding the fact ALL aviation is based on what went before, the A-10’s design was based on P-47 experiences and the A-1. Germans had nothing to do with it.
The Hog was, and is, a purpose-built jet based on the P-47 and A-1, upgraded to what we envisioned we would face when confronting the Soviets, and we knew we needed a jet that was survivable, hence triple redundant flight control system, high and wide engines, interchangeable flaps and slats, other easily replaced and interchangeable parts, titanium bathtub, HUGE gun.