A-10vs????

[JackieAdkins]

ok, i was watching a thing on the History channel over the A-10 and it was talkin about how it held a comp with another company for the contract. does any body know what company this was and what the aircraft was and maybe even a picture?

[Hagar]

Just did a quick search on Google & found this.

In 1970, the requirements for the A-X mission were changed, and the Air Force issued a new request for proposals (RFP). Detailed requirements for such a close-air- support aircraft were issued by the USAF in May 1970. Six companies responded to the RFP. Fairchild- Republic and Northrop were given contracts for the construction of prototypes to be used in a flyoff competition from which a winner would be selected for production. Northrop's YA-9A and the Republic Aviation Division of Fairchild-Hiller's YA-10A became finalists in the contract bid. The Air Force gave each company funding in order to build prototypes of their aircraft for testing. At the end of the flight and maintenance comparison, on 10 January 1973, the US Air Force announced the selection of the Fairchild aircraft.

First flight of the aircraft occurred in May 1972, and the first squadron to be equipped with the A-10A became operational in October 1977.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/a-10-history.htm

PS. Photos here. http://www.shanaberger.com/A-9.htm

[C]

The Northrop's YA-9A was more conventional looking if I remember correctly, similar to an SU-25 in form...

I'll see if I can find a pic...

[Mobius]

Looks like the Su-25...



Pic is the best I could find...

[C]

The Northrop's YA-9A was more conventional looking if I remember correctly, similar to an SU-25 in form...

It also bears more than a passing resemblance to several early Douglas carrier fighters...

[JackieAdkins]

Glad the A-10 got it, that YA-9 is UUUUUUGLY, i like the A-10 i for one think it is a very good lookin airplane and if i was a CAS pilot i would most deff. want the A-10 as i have seen battle damage and it gets you back safe, kinnda like the B-17 both can take ALOT of damage and still get ya home in one piece.

[C]

Glad the A-10 got it, that YA-9 is UUUUUUGLY

A lot of people would say the sam about both the A-10 and the A-9...

[Hagar]

A lot of people would say the sam about both the A-10 and the A-9...

In a purely aesthetic sense the A-9 is much better-looking than the A-10. I can't see how anyone could disagree with that. In some ways it reminds me of the old McDonnell F2H Banshee. http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/banshee.htm

PS. This is the F2H-2 variant.

[C]

It also bears more than a passing resemblance to several early Douglas carrier fighters...

Judging by Doug's post, I think I meant McDonnell...

[Saratoga]

I find the A-10 more attractive myself. Cool looking and very pilot-friendly. Albeit slow. But nice plane overall.

[JackieAdkins]

well everyone wil lhave there opinion, but im stickin with my the A-10 is way better looking than the YA-9. i dunno what it is about it, it just look nice. hahaha

[Hagar]

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You might think the A-10 looks fine now because you're used to seeing photos of it. When it first appeared on the scene it was very unconventional & something only the designer could have thought beautiful. Some even call it the ugliest plane in the world. I wouldn't go that far, I'll settle for functional.

[Woodlouse2002]

Some even call it the ugliest plane in the world. I wouldn't go that far, I'll settle for functional.

Thats cause you've seen the Fairey Gannet. Right?

[Hagar]

Thats cause you've seen the Fairey Gannet. Right?

Yup, seen plenty as a matter of fact. They were based at RNAS Ford just down the road when I was a kid. The AEW3 was the ugliest of the bunch. IMHO
Not sure it was the ugliest in the world though. There's a few contenders for that dubious title.

[Saratoga]

Well some would claim the AN-225, the C-5, or the 747 is big, ugly, bulky. Others would say it's the most beautiful peice of airborne metal around. Personal opinion.