masterblaster
Active member
Two U.S. aircraft are being flown into the ground and need rebuilding. I am talking about the B-52 and the A-10
The B-52 (ole BUFF) is ancient, being over 50 years old. The latest date from the 60's they have been rebuilt several times but not the important part; the engines. The 52 turbo fans date from the 60's and much more powerful efficient engines are available. My idea is, yank off the double engine nacelles and scrap them; replace them with any of the almost new engines now available due to the scraping of DC-10's and 747's. These engines are much more efficient, powerful (50,000 lbs versus 16,000) parts are in stock and fuel requirements are lower. After all, the 52 is supposed to be kept in service for another 40 years. An engine change would mean longer range, more load carrying ability, and cheaper to operate.
The second is the A-10 warthog. The hog has always been under powered ( I remember scraping one and it's pilot off the walls of red Rock canyon for that very reason). Much more powerful engines are available that uses less fuel. This would allow a heavier payload.
The A-10 is also a good candidate for upgrading with a full night flight suite of equipment. an A-10 that could fly all night just waiting for a rat to poke his head from his hole would be very useful.
P.S. I wonder why no other country has ever purchased the A-10?
The B-52 (ole BUFF) is ancient, being over 50 years old. The latest date from the 60's they have been rebuilt several times but not the important part; the engines. The 52 turbo fans date from the 60's and much more powerful efficient engines are available. My idea is, yank off the double engine nacelles and scrap them; replace them with any of the almost new engines now available due to the scraping of DC-10's and 747's. These engines are much more efficient, powerful (50,000 lbs versus 16,000) parts are in stock and fuel requirements are lower. After all, the 52 is supposed to be kept in service for another 40 years. An engine change would mean longer range, more load carrying ability, and cheaper to operate.
The second is the A-10 warthog. The hog has always been under powered ( I remember scraping one and it's pilot off the walls of red Rock canyon for that very reason). Much more powerful engines are available that uses less fuel. This would allow a heavier payload.
The A-10 is also a good candidate for upgrading with a full night flight suite of equipment. an A-10 that could fly all night just waiting for a rat to poke his head from his hole would be very useful.
P.S. I wonder why no other country has ever purchased the A-10?
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