A-10A Thunderbolt II Kim "Killer Chick" Reed-Campbell, 75th Fighter Squadron (1:72)

October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10a and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver.

In the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles and were vital assets during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Noble Anvil.

On April 7 2003 Capt. Kim Campbell of the 75th FS deployed in her A-10A Warthog. As part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing during OIF the mission was to provide close air support over Baghdad for ground troops. Ready to begin the return flight her aircraft was struck by enemy fire destroying all hydraulic systems. After a brief time Capt. Campbell realized she was going to have to fly the aircraft without hydraulic assistance or bail out over Baghdad, which really wasn't an option in her mind. Her flight lead assessed the damage and determined that the aircraft had hits to the rear, including the horizontal stabilizer, tail section and engine cowling. Luckily the damage didn't affect the flight control surfaces or landing gear. There were two options now, continue to fly the aircraft clear of Baghdad and bail out or try to return to base and attempt a landing. Capt. Campbell felt the aircraft was operating well so return to base became the priority. The aircraft made a safe landing and the next problem was staying on the runway and stopping. Without hydraulics there are no speed brakes, brakes or steering. When it was all over Capt. Campbell praised the A-10 for its ability to sustain heavy damage and continue to fly. This occurrence earned Capt. Kim Campbell the nickname 'Killer Chick'. Specifications A-10A

Crew: One

Main role: A-10 - close air support, OA-10 - airborne forward air control

Manufacturer: Fairchild Republic Co.

Power Plants: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust: 9,065 pounds per engine

Length: 16.16 meters (53 ft 4 ins)
Height: 4.42 meters (14 ft 8 ins)
Wingspan: 17.42 meters(57 ft 6 ins)

Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)

Ceiling: 13,636 meters(45,000 ft)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 22,950 kg.(51,000 lbs.)

Range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles)

Armament: One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; maximum 7,200 kg (16,000lbs.) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 225 kg (500 lbs.)
Mk-82 and 900 kg (2,000 lbs.)
Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 6.99 cm (2.75 in.) rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.