# Could the A-10 Warthog have been built during the Vietnam War?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 17, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287 "2007-01-17T02:25:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/1 "2007-01-17T02:25:15Z")
A random question I came up with, while reading about the [A-10 Thunderbolt II](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-10_Thunderbolt_II) , affectionately reffered to as “The Warthog.” Basically, the plane was built to be a very rugged, very simple, very reliable, and excessively heavily armed Close Air Support aircraft, using minimal avionics and electronics to maximise ease of maintinance and repair in the field, not to mention having the GAU-8A Avenger BFG, allowing it to take out main battle tanks in as little as six hits.
Is there any particular reason that this plane couldn’t have been built in the late 1960’s or early 1970s? If the gun (or the ammo) was beyond the day’s technology, perhaps some other kind of hard-hitting primary weapon?
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/2 "2007-01-17T02:35:07Z")
Didn’t read your link very closely I see :dubious:
> [@Wikipedia](#):
>
> On 6 March 1967 the US Air Force released a request for information to 21 companies. Their objective was to create a design study for a low cost attack aircraft designated A-X, or “Attack Experimental”. In May 1970, the USAF issued a modified, and much more detailed request for proposals (RFP). Six companies submitted contestants to the USAF, with Northrop and Fairchild Republic selected to build prototypes: the YA-9A and YA-10A, respectively.
> USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II from 1975
> USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II from 1975
>
> The YA-10A first flew in May 1972. After trials and a flyoff against the YA-9A, the Air Force selected Fairchild-Republic’s YA-10A on 10 January 1973 for production.
So the answer is yes, it could be built with late 60’s early 70’s technology, because it was built during those years. 😃
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### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/3 "2007-01-17T02:53:52Z")
[QUOTE=Rick]
Didn’t read your link very closely I see :dubious:
So the answer is yes, it could be built with late 60’s early 70’s technology, because it was built during those years. 😃
[/QUOTE]
Ahh, uhm… LOOK! A TURTLE! _flees_
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### Author:  [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/4 "2007-01-17T12:44:15Z")
I think it is safe to say that the Warthog was built because of Vietnam not coincidental to Vietnam. Once you get a plane like that you find that it is adaptable to all kinds of useful purposes that may not have inspired the initial need.
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### Author:  [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/5 "2007-01-17T12:57:18Z")
Maybe you misunderstood your own question. 🙂
Could the A-10 be built FOR the Vietnam war? That is, with 50’s technology?.
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### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/6 "2007-01-17T13:23:51Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo]
Maybe you misunderstood your own question. 🙂
Could the A-10 be built FOR the Vietnam war? That is, with 50’s technology?.
[/QUOTE]
Now, THERE is a good question. 😃
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/7 "2007-01-17T13:24:45Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog]
I think it is safe to say that the Warthog was built because of Vietnam not coincidental to Vietnam.
[/QUOTE]
I thought it was primarily intended for use against Soviet tanks. In Vietnam we had the A-1 Skyraider (dad flew in the AEW version in Korea), which, according to dad, ‘had the instantaneous firepower of a light cruiser’. The A-7 Corsair II could also carry a good load, and had a 20mm canon that could be useful against grount targets.
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### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/8 "2007-01-17T13:57:24Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.]
I thought it was primarily intended for use against Soviet tanks. In Vietnam we had the A-1 Skyraider (dad flew in the AEW version in Korea), which, according to dad, ‘had the instantaneous firepower of a light cruiser’. The A-7 Corsair II could also carry a good load, and had a 20mm canon that could be useful against grount targets.
[/QUOTE]
Heh, I like the A-1 Skyraider. Something downright warm and fuzzy about a piston-engined air plane kicking ass in the jet age. 😃
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/9 "2007-01-17T14:02:04Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader]
Heh, I like the A-1 Skyraider. Something downright warm and fuzzy about a piston-engined air plane kicking ass in the jet age. 😃
[/QUOTE]
Me too. I saw one performing at the Chino Air Show last year, and I’ve seen one frequently operating out of Bellingham. Unfortunately I don’t have a spare $500,000 at the moment.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/10 "2007-01-17T14:06:29Z")
During the 90’s I saw an A-10 with a large AWACS like antenna on it. Flying rather low, in the woods behind my house. What was the National Guard doing?
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### Author:  [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/11 "2007-01-17T14:43:41Z")
Actually, from what I read, one aircraft that WAS found to be very useful in Vietnam, and whose loss is somewhat lamented today, is the [OV-10 Bronco](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-10_Bronco).
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### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/12 "2007-01-17T15:27:09Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant]
During the 90’s I saw an A-10 with a large AWACS like antenna on it. Flying rather low, in the woods behind my house. What was the National Guard doing?
[/QUOTE]
Deer hunting?
OK, now that I got my quick smartass comment in, I’m gonna go hit Google and see if I can find something about that…
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### Author:  [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/13 "2007-01-17T16:00:57Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader]
. . . a piston-engined air plane kicking ass in the jet age. 😃
[/QUOTE]
On trying to find a reference to the Skyraider that shot down a Mig-15 I found this […in 1952 a Sea Fury serving in Korea became the first piston-engined aircraft to shoot down a MiG-15 jet fighter.](http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Nellis2006/Highlights/index.html) (note, no kitten pictures on that link).
And the reason I couldn’t find the Mig-15 incident is that it was a Mig-17\* that got shot down by a [Spad](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-1_Skyraider), but you guys already knew that.
> [@Raguleader](#):
>
> Deer hunting?
Brontosaurus hunting?
- _two_ Mig-17s, according to Wikipedia
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### Author:  [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/14 "2007-01-17T16:38:26Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader]
…the GAU-8A Avenger BFG…
[/QUOTE]
My first thought was that the avionics and airframe were doable with '50s technology, but not the main gun.
It turns out that the GAU 8/A [wasn’t immediately available](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAU-8/A#History) when the Warthog went into production, so until the Avenger was ready, they used the older M61 Vulcan. The Vulcan is very much '50s technology.
There’s a brilliant photo of a GAU 8/A sitting next to a Volkswagon Beatle on that Wikipedia link.
Heh. BFG, indeed.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/15 "2007-01-17T16:47:43Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger]
Brontosaurus hunting?
[/QUOTE]
Ss I stold it. Sue me.
🙂
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### Author:  [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/16 "2007-01-17T18:46:43Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger]
And the reason I couldn’t find the Mig-15 incident is that it was a Mig-17\* that got shot down by a [Spad](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-1_Skyraider), but you guys already knew that.
[/QUOTE]
I was going :eek: until I clicked the link. I thought you meant [this:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAD_S.VII)
I thought, “Now, _that_ was some flyin’!”
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### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2007, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/17 "2007-01-17T23:23:47Z")
Im just curious. How new did you think that plane was?
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### Author:  [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/18 "2007-01-18T00:32:33Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno]
Im just curious. How new did you think that plane was?
[/QUOTE]
For some reason, I was under the impression that it was from the early 80s or very late 70s. :smack:
On an unrelated note, every time I hit the apostrophe key in the reply box in Firefox, it makes the Find bar come up on the bottom. Very annoying. :mad:
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### Author:  [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2007, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/19 "2007-01-18T01:19:36Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.]
I thought it was primarily intended for use against Soviet tanks. In Vietnam we had the A-1 Skyraider (dad flew in the AEW version in Korea), which, according to dad, ‘had the instantaneous firepower of a light cruiser’. The A-7 Corsair II could also carry a good load, and had a 20mm canon that could be useful against grount targets.
[/QUOTE]
I think we are both right.
Consider that the military was looking for a next generation plane to replace the A-7. The Vietnamese were procuring much of their equipment from the Soviets. The beauty of the (ugly) Warthog was that it was so versitile. It was a plane that could be used for lots of different purposes with real world applications. From what I have heard, it was one of those rare military weapons programs that had very few critics as far as cost and application.
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### Author:  [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2007, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-a-10-warthog-have-been-built-during-the-vietnam-war/388287/20 "2007-01-18T06:12:23Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger]
On trying to find a reference to the Skyraider that shot down a Mig-15 I found this […in 1952 a Sea Fury serving in Korea became the first piston-engined aircraft to shoot down a MiG-15 jet fighter.](http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Nellis2006/Highlights/index.html) (note, no kitten pictures on that link).
[/quote]
I had always believed it was the F4U Corsair that shot down the first MiG: [[News Articles - FindArticles](http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4442/is_200601/ai_n16063433)](First kill of the Korean War).
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