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| The Devil's Cross London, ON September 2020 This photo originally shared on Instagram |
The announcement is hardly surprising, as the USAF has pushed for years to retire the venerable tankbuster in favour of the F-35A Lightning II. The prevailing theory is that a slow, non-stealthy aircraft designed for the Cold War won’t stand a chance in a modern-era contested battlefield where stealth is life.
So with the beloved Warthog being drawn down in advance of a final sunset sometime later this decade, it makes little sense to fly it at air shows.
Bummer that, because it’s always been a fan favourite, and an example of thoughtfully robust design and engineering that doesn’t seem to be much of a thing anymore.
I captured this image in 2020, during the plane’s most recent demo here in London. And as it isn’t scheduled to return during this farewell year, all we’ve got left here are pixels and memories.
I’ll miss the Warthog. I’ll miss the spirit of those who maintained and flew her even more. Thanks for always having the backs of those whose lives depended on the unique capabilities of a remarkable aircraft.
Oh, and thanks for the brrrt.
#ldnont #london #airport #ontario #canada #SkyDrive #AirShowLondon #aviation #fairchild #republic #a10 #thunderbolt #warthog #flight #aircraft #aviationphotography #photography #nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography #planespotting #instaplane #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded
Related:
A Warthog leaves its mark, October 2020
Warthog meets stuffie, September 2019
Freezing a Thunderbolt in place, November 2018
Warthog in low-level flight, September 2018
The Warthog bears its teeth, September 2017
Ugly is the new beautiful, July 2009
Low-level flight, February 2006
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