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2026-03-24 Science & Technology

Ugly, Cheap, and Deadly: The A-10 Proves Itself Again Over the Red Sea

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Posted by NoMoreBS 2026-03-24 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1785 views ] Top

1 Yeah, but the fighter pilot mafia don't like it.

Posted by ed in texas 2026-03-24 08:49|| 2026-03-24 08:49|| Front Page Top

2 not ugly

Posted by chris 2026-03-24 09:30|| 2026-03-24 09:30|| Front Page Top

3 ^Ever been on a receiving end, Chris?

Posted by Grom the Affective 2026-03-24 10:01|| 2026-03-24 10:01|| Front Page Top

4 Nope, don't plan on being on it either.

Posted by chris 2026-03-24 11:17|| 2026-03-24 11:17|| Front Page Top

5 ^So, take my word for it - a plane diving at you is terrifying.

Posted by Grom the Affective 2026-03-24 11:21|| 2026-03-24 11:21|| Front Page Top

6 I believe you and I have a different idea of what ugly is.

Posted by chris 2026-03-24 14:00|| 2026-03-24 14:00|| Front Page Top

7 No one has seen an ugly ballerina at work.

A-10 Wingtip Pirouette Video

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is known for its exceptional maneuverability, particularly at low altitudes and speeds, which allows for extreme flight maneuvers. While there is no widely recognized or verified video of an A-10 pivoting entirely on a single wingtip in flight, the aircraft's design and flight characteristics make such a maneuver theoretically possible under specific conditions.

**Drooped Wingtips** on the A-10 are a key design feature. These downward-bent wingtips are not just for aesthetics—they serve multiple aerodynamic purposes:
- **Reduce induced drag** by managing wingtip vortices, improving loiter time for close air support missions.
- **Enhance low-speed handling and maneuverability**, crucial for operating near the ground.
- **Improve aileron effectiveness** at low altitudes, allowing precise control during tight turns and low-altitude flight.

The **"pivoting on a wingtip"** maneuver you might be referring to could be a dramatic visual effect seen in aerobatic or training footage, where the aircraft banks sharply, and one wingtip appears to act as a pivot point during a tight turn or slow roll. This is consistent with the A-10’s high maneuverability and low wing loading (200 kg/m²), which allows it to perform aggressive, low-speed maneuvers.

While no official footage confirms a full pivot on a wingtip in flight, the **A-10’s design and flight performance** make such maneuvers plausible in extreme cases. For example, the aircraft has demonstrated remarkable resilience, including landing with no canopy and damaged landing gear, proving its ability to operate safely under severe conditions.

In summary, while no verified video shows an A-10 fully pivoting on a wingtip, its **drooped wingtips and high maneuverability** enable extreme low-altitude flight dynamics that can create such an impression.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-03-24 14:39|| 2026-03-24 14:39|| Front Page Top

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