Dice

Guys there are two fuel tanks for the A-10, the F-111 tank, and the sergeant Fletcher (SF) tank. Both are 600 gallon but the F-111 tank is about 6“ longer and the SF is fatter to hold the same amount of fuel being 6“ shorter. The fins on the SF are shaped a little different than the F-111 and only about 700 SF tanks were built, one for each aircraft at the time . The reason there are two tanks is when the A-10 came into service they (the AF) didn’t want to wait for an A-10 specific tank to be designed and built so they used the F-111. I mean there were thousands of F-111 tanks around and only a few SF, so why wait. During the 70s, 80s, and 90s the F-111 tank was used most because the A-10 carried two tanks on most deployments and seeing there were only a few hundred SF tanks they used all F-111 so they didn’t have to support two different kinds of tanks at the FOLs. The SF tank has become more and more in demand because the AF would like a tank that can be used in combat. The F-111 can be used in combat but, the biggest drawback (there are a few more) is because of the F-111’s length the gun loading door can’t be opened with the tank installed so the gun can‘t be loaded. The last I heard the AF was finding and refurbishing all the SF tanks to be used on the A-10As and A-10C’s. Here’s a pic of a SF tank (sorry it’s the best I have) so you can see the length difference and the shape of the fins.

I'm not pissed just other project to do and this one seens to be passed needing my help. Deadman if you ever need me on any other A-10 projects just let me know and I'll be there.

Guess you guys don't need me anymore, I'm outa here....

Yeniceri, the picture below is the best shot I can find of the slats extended, the damage is from a bird-strike. As I said the slat is solid but comforms to the wing when retracted. Yes, you can see sky when the slat is extended if viewed from the right angle. The square holes are cooling vents for the avionics bays and are on all A-10s both the A and C models. There are small fans inside which pull air in when the aircraft is on the ground but, when the gear retracts the fans shut-off and by-pass air pulls the heat out of the bays. Zaule, like Deadman said the gun gass are not as big a problem as it was years ago because of the design changes he spoke of in his post. The ignitors do fire during gun bursts but, it's not as big a safty factor as it was 10-20 years ago.

Guys, I don’t want to cause any turbulence in your community and I just was just offering to help where I could, If I had known about your project a few weeks ago I would have been here sooner but, I didn’t know so was unaware of the updates being done. That being said I think Yeniceri and the beta have done a great job with the model and I’m sure the Lock 0n community will be very happy with your guys work. I’m still happy to help where I can with either answering questions about the model, the real A-10 itself, or with the skinning effort. So towards that effort here’s the answers to the questions posed by Yeni. Question one- The RWR antennas can be either rounded or flat, the only difference between the two is the manufacturer of the antennas themselves. Same antenna just built by different companies, both styles can sometime even be found on the same aircraft, if you look closely. Question two- WOW I’m not really sure what you’re asking here. The slats are solid surfaces hinged on two arms which extend into the airflow to channel air into the engines. The slat is not hallow, nor is the wing under it. There are two slots through the wing surface where the arms run through to allow control of the slat. The solid slat is formed to match the contour of the wing so when retracted it matches the wing surface. Hope this helps?? Question three- Again I’m not sure what you’re asking. There are cooling vents, intake scoops, and other opening on the aircraft that do different things. Can you point-out in a picture what “square holes” you’re talking about? Question four- Without getting to deep “into the weeds” the A-10A does use the GPS antenna but, lock-on’s code doesn’t take that into account in it’s avionics so, if you used it, it would only be “eye-candy”. The “probe” forward of the GPS antenna (circled in Kung-Fu’s photo) is the total temperature probe and is found on ALL A-10A’s and A-10C’s, it should be included. Question five- Short answer is yes, the forward windscreen glasses are coated with a special coasting for night vision compatibility. Hell guys lets have a little fun, here's a link to a promo music video I made for next year's (it's never to early to plan) Hawgsmoke 2008. It's made to the 80's hair band Ratt's....wanted man... http://www.warthogpen.com/hawgsmoke_2008_files/hawgsmoke_2008_s.wmv

Hi everyone, Deadman invited me over to give some inputs on you guys A-10 upgrades. Hey it's looking GREAT so far, Yeni you have done some great work on the old Hawg model! I posted some comments (Deadman) in the PM section and will try to get to the other questions when time allows. I don't have much free time but, I will try to stop-in every day or so to answer any question(s) I can on the A-10. Long live the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog"!

Cosmonaut, I downloaded the file because I would like to see it also but, can't open a rar file....what is that and what program do I need to view it??

http://www.warthogpen.com/wall_of_fame.html

All are coming from the 104th Mass ANG.

Thought you guys might like to see the markings on the newest A-10 unit, the 188th "Flying Razorbacks" out of Fort Smith.... http://www.warthogpen.com/razorbacks.html No these are not new A-10s they are the first to move because of BRAC closing some units and opening, or adding to, others.

I'm sorry to say I was only a technical advisor so had nothing to do with the 3D model itself. I haven't heard anything from Lofi or Deadman in a while so I'm guessing the project is dead.

Hitman is right about the chrome, they are only chromed on the stateside demo jets out of Pope AFB NC. and DM AZ. Aeroscout, all the A-10As will be converted into A-10Cs. What state are you from...I can tell if if BRAC is closing or realigning your base.

I know how much you guys like to video and photograph aircraft so here’s a short video of someone catching an A-10 on take-off I think you may like… http://www.warthogpen.com/video_clip_files/A_10_close.wmv

Swingkid, sorry you're asking questions outside my field, I have not studied weapons that indepth, I know just enough to get me in trouble.

If I remember correctly it was the B and D. ;)

A couple of points from the closed thread. The LAU-88 loaded with 3X AGM-65s (6 total) and quickdraw were ferry mission to a couple of FLOs inside Iraqi. They would be downloaded and the aircraft uploaded them with single LAU-117 and single mavs pry to a combat mission. With the updated motors on the AGM-65 and the fixes (after Desert Storm) on the LAU-88 the load could have been used in combat but, the gain in firwpower did not out-weight the lost in range, loiter time, and most of all a huge lost in maneuverability. Also the color or a mavs body does correspond to the time frame it was build and not to help the troops “put them together right.” Missiles and bombs are “built-up” in weapons backshops before being delivered to the “line’ for use. They match serial numbers and mission types to determine the right build-up not the color of the body. Look at the picture below, three of the same seeker-heads attached to two different era bodies. As you may know “we” have large stock piles of weapons and why not us the older munitions first, if at all possible, and save the newer ones for later? They could be painted but why if stealth is not an issue? Three Mavs on a jet with quick draw Tipical load during OIF

LOMACs A-10s is a LASTE 4.0 early to mid 1990s aircraft. During this timeframe a normal combat load would be 2XAIM-9s (depending on the threat) 1XALQ pod (again depending on the threat), 2X AGM-65s (TV or IR), 2x or 4X 500 pounders or 2X 1,000 pounders (air burst or contact) and a full load of 30mm ammo. On todays A-10 some or all of the 500/1,000 pounders would either be normal gravity bombs or GBU-12/GBU-24s. in fact if you look at photos from "todays" conflets they will normaly carry two GBU-12s and two 500 pound radar fused gravity bombs.

I just read through the, now locked, thread on mixed AGM-65s, LAU-88s 2V3 loadouts, and why LOMAC does this load or that and all I can say is, WOW my head is spinning! Everyone (or most) are treating the A-10, the AGM-65, the LAU-88, and pictures and info from the net like they are all from the same time period. The A-10, the AGM-65, and the LAU-88 have evolved throught the years and without knowing this process (and the time the info and pictures were taken) you end-up thinking what was true yesterday is true today. Like the LAU-88 carrying 3 mavs...yes during the Desert Storm era the LAU-88 was unreliable (one reason the LAU-117 was used mostly) and the Mavs exhaust plume would/could burn the gear pod and tire. After DS both the LAU-88 and the MAV were improved. The LAU-88 is more reliable today and the exhaust on the newer mav are smaller so, they will not burn the pod/ties but, the drag issue is still there. During Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 mavs were loaded on LAU-88s but this was only to ferry them to the FOL and not used in combat. I don't know if I could give you a complete answer to all your questions on this forum (I'm in the middle of updating mmy website) but ask away and I will try to answer as best as I can.

Deadman, I don't see the PM, please resend with the area(s) you need pictures of.

Lo-fi, I'm still around if you need something from me. I'm not on IM much so the best way to contact me is by posting here or, sending me a PM through the forum software.

ROFL, damn I've got to quit posting until I'm off these meds! Hellcat, you are right the A-10 can carry the GBU-24 but I've never see them do it in real life. Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe and Happy New Year!

The A-10 doesn't carry the GBU-24 (as far as I know it hasn't ever be tested on the A-10) and can't carry the GBU-15 because it doesn't have the capibility to carry and use the needed data-link pod to guide the weapon.

IK, here’s an article on tests being done on the A-10C model which allow the Hawg to use laser guided AGM-65s with the new Sniper pod. It’s doesn’t say what model mav was used in the test but, if it can use one it should be able to use all laser guided missiles such as the E model. http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fec&ci=17958&rsbci=0&sc-400 Now the A-10As have had the limited ability to use LGBs (only in the last three years) with the LITENING pod but, as far as I know they have not used any laser guided missiles with this pod. As you’ve stated above the Pave Penny pod can only receive info and not guide anything so without some type of targeting pod the A-10A would not be able to guide a AGM-65E . So there you go, I believe the A-10C can use the AGM-65E but, the A-10A can’t. You will have to make the call on whether to use then or not.

Damn guys I’m sorry I was reading/understanding the GBU-28 as a GBU 12. I pulled a muscle at work so I’m on muscle relaxers (with a few beers on top last night) and my brain was a little fuzzy to say the least. I don’t believe the A-10 has been cleared for the 28 only the 500/1,000/2,000 pounders. IK, you are right on the GUB-15 as far as I know. I don’t know what kind of link they used in the 70s during testing but, I have a feeling they only cleared the airframe (separation testing) to drop the GBU-8 and not to be able guide it onto the target. I believe this may have been only “future growth” testing. BTW, yes I have more meds but they are all for me...ROFL!

IK, I’m sorry I guess I should have said the A-10 is cleared to carry all LGBs but, I guess you know already it can’t carry the GBU-15 because of the data link needed. The A-10 can carry the GBU-28 on stations 4/5/6/7/8, of course with matched pairs on either side of the aircraft IE 4/8, 5/7, or a single on 10. I don't believe the A-10 has been tested with the AGM-65E but let me check.