Why would anyone want to fit an A-10 with a VW Bug?
Now, a VW Bug with a GAU-8, on 't'other hand...
On 9 Aug 2017 07:13:39 -0700, Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
wrote:
>... along with its ammunition drum and feeding system, next to a Volkswagen
>Beetle.
>
>Interesting article on the development of the GAU-8 and all the problems
>associated with it...
>
>http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/13329/early-on-the-a-10-warthogs-legendary-gun-was-both-a-blessing-and-a-curse
>
>..."According to Jacques and Strouble, the most immediate issue was that the
>muzzle flash simply blinded the pilot, which could be dangerous even in a
>shallow dive at a relatively slow speed at low altitude. The gasses left dark
>soot on the windscreen, as well as the fuselage, that eventually blocked their
>view, too.
>
>"To deal with the latter issue, the A-10 has a window-washing function. A switch
>on the right hand side of the cockpit triggers the 30-second wash cycle,
>according to an official 1988 flight manual. Using cooled bleed air from the
>auxiliary power unit, the system floods the windshield with cleaning fluid for
>The same burst of air can clean rain at low speeds, too.
>
>essential since forward vision is obsured [sic; obscured] during the wash
>
>"Repeated firing shook the gun mounts so much that parts galled, a process by
>which the repeated friction causes separate metal components to adhere together.
>As one test report noted, this had no impact on the aircraft's ability to fly or
>fire the gun, but made it especially difficult to get the GAU-8 out of its
>compartment for routine maintenance.
>
>"More worrisome, the gasses, which contained no oxygen, had a tendency to flow
>In addition, the particles in the fumes might contain unburned gunpowder, which
>could cause flameouts, or would build up in the engine turbines, both
>potentially serious issues.
>
>"Since the most significant issue is the gasses getting into the engine and
>causing it to give out, when the pilot in a Warthog pulls the trigger, it
>continually trips the ignition system. So, even if the engine does stop
>suddenly, it immediately restarts.
>
>"All of this work to mitigate the impact of the gun on the A-10's airframe and
>engines is an amazing concession of aircraft design to one single component.
>itself, if not more so. With this in mind, it's no surprise really there have
>been attempts, although largely unsuccessful, to work similar capabilities onto
>other existing tactical aircraft.
>
>Worth the read.
>
>more at
>http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/13329/early-on-the-a-10-warthogs-legendary-gun-was-both-a-blessing-and-a-curse
>
>
>
>
>
>*
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