A-10 Warthog: 50 Facts About This Legendary Aircraft

The A-10 Warthog Was Designed For Survival And Quick Repair

The A-10’s hydraulics systems are double-redundant, and a mechanical backup system controls the plane if the hydraulics is lost. Damaged wing skins can be replaced relatively easy in the field – even with alternative materials. The production skins are not load-bearing, which means replacing them is simple. Engineers even considered the importance of wheel retraction. On the A-10, when the wheels retract, they still slightly protrude outside of the nacelle. The purpose is if the aircraft has to land with its gear up, it will limit damage to a degree. Also the landing gear, engines, vertical stabilizers, and some other parts on the A-10 are left and right interchangeable – meaning they can operate on either side. That allows the aircraft to be serviced at a forward location and put back in combat much sooner than other aircraft.

In 2003, Capt. Kim Campbell’s A-10 was hit by ground fire and took on extensive damage to the horizontal stabilizer, starboard vertical stabilizer, aft fuselage, and engine. She was able to land the plane safely after switching controls to manual and took control of the plane.