A10, almost scrapped, new updated versions coming

[Diamondback]

Different AT-6 in Vietnam. As in the WWII era T-6 Texan trainer they armed for for the Southeast Asian countries.

The latest is the one based on the T-6 Texan II trainer:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_T-6_Texan_II

Worth noting that it was originally designated AT not for "Attack Trainer," but "Advanced Trainer" in the WWII-era designation system--it was your first step out of Primary Trainers like the Stearman PT-17 biplane.

[TehLlama]

The problem I have with the aircraft is that it's no good for the only role I think our military should be performing: The defense of the homeland against foreign threats.

Not really, it's still a brilliant tool for when you need to make SEAD turn into DEAD. Punitive campaigns will continue to have value, and the capability to defend allies remains too critical... it's a plane with a better role in the inventory than 90% of what it's competing with, and really only the Buff can claim to be a better overall value proposition

[Grand58742]

Worth noting that it was originally designated AT not for "Attack Trainer," but "Advanced Trainer" in the WWII-era designation system--it was your first step out of Primary Trainers like the Stearman PT-17 biplane.

I just realized I put the wrong aircraft on my initial list...

It was the AT-28, not the T-6

[Diamondback]

I just realized I put the wrong aircraft on my initial list...

It was the AT-28, not the T-6

Easy mistake to make... there were armed Texans, but the later Trojan was bigger in COIN.

[ABNAK]

The A-37 Dragonfly was a nifty little (emphasis on "little") attack aircraft that proved quite useful in Vietnam. And had a postwar career in the USAF with the "OA-37" designation. Not sure if it would be useful or survivable in today's environment, but it didn't take up much ramp space

When I was growing up there used to be an A-37 Dragonfly squadron at the Youngstown air base (not sure if it even exists anymore). I *think* it was USAFR squadron, not an Ohio Air NG unit. Saw them flying a lot as a kid.

[chadbag]

I saw A-37 or T-37 at an air show at either Williams or Luke AFB in Arizona when I was a kid in the early 70s. Being under 10 years old I don't remember exactly which one, but I do remember seeing the plane and liking it and trying to find a model of it.

Lots of cool planes from the "second generation" jet era (late 50s/60 into the 70s).

[Tony617]

Easy mistake to make... there were armed Texans, but the later Trojan was bigger in COIN.

I really like the T-28 Trojan and I have two R/C models of them.

[Diamondback]

I saw A-37 or T-37 at an air show at either Williams or Luke AFB in Arizona when I was a kid in the early 70s. Being under 10 years old I don't remember exactly which one, but I do remember seeing the plane and liking it and trying to find a model of it.

Lots of cool planes from the "second generation" jet era (late 50s/60 into the 70s).

Dunno if you ever found one, but Monogram had a Dragonfly in their catalog.
https://www.scalemates.com/search.ph...A-37+Dragonfly

[Aries144]

Not really, it's still a brilliant tool for when you need to make SEAD turn into DEAD. Punitive campaigns will continue to have value, and the capability to defend allies remains too critical... it's a plane with a better role in the inventory than 90% of what it's competing with, and really only the Buff can claim to be a better overall value proposition

I don't think the A-10 is well suited for any engagement with a peer opponent. It was never a great fit there. It's simply too slow and vulnerable to air and ground threats. I also disagree that the A-10 is well suited for DEAD for that reason, unless there is air dominance, which will likely never exist in a peer conflict. It exposes not just itself, but all assets tasked with its protection to a much larger window of vulnerability.

I think replacing the A-7D with the A-10 was a mistake. Something more like a twin engine A-7, more like Russia's Su-25, would have resulted in an aircraft more useful today. The lack of speed and armor are the primary issues.

Also, regarding the A-10 and the Highway of Death:

[Grand58742]

Easy mistake to make... there were armed Texans, but the later Trojan was bigger in COIN.

There's a really good book called "Apollo's Warriors" written by Michael Haas (former AFSOC guy) that goes into the history Air Force Special Operations from WWII up through Panama. Obviously, SE Asia has a considerable chunk of the book and he talks about the COIN aircraft being used.

It's well worth the read if you can ever find a decent cheap copy.