Saturday, April 21, 2012

A-10 remains want to be identified by serial number

By Joachim Jacob, Warthog News Editor

During the last couple of days I got two requests from German Warthog enthusiasts about this "Hog", stored at AMARC (AMARG), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The remains of this airframe are placed on three palletes. Painted in front of the canopy is the number 66018, but an A-10 with the last three digits 018 doesn't exist. If I try my A-10 Aircraft Database for the last two digits 18, I can only find A-10 78-0618, formerly assigned to the 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (Idaho ANG). On a first look, the nose art seems like 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas ANG), but there are significant differences. The following pictures were taken in March 2012.


Best view of the number in front of the canopy. (Courtesy photo) Full size


Best view of the nose art. (Courtesy photo) Full size


Some other remains. (Courtesy photo) Full size


Close-up view of the left vertical stabilizer with the last three digits 018. (Courtesy photo) Full size
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Look at the ejection seat that is not an ACES II

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  2. AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    First comment is correct. The ejection seat is not an ACES II, but instead appears to be the old ESCAPEPAC (sp?) seat only found in pre-production Hogs. Of additional note, close observation of the wingtip in the stack of parts reveals that this aircraft was not NVIS-modified (there are no covert position lights or "EL" lights on the wingtip). Since all operational A-10s received the NVIS mod (starting in the early-mid '90s), this fact presents further evidence that this was a pre-production aircraft. The viewer will also note a green paint undercoat on the same wingtip photo. All these facts together point to probability that this Hog had been either on display or had been used as a maintenance or weapons load trainer, and probably was painted to represent a specific jet in specific unit markings. If that conclusion is accurate, the tail number in question doesn't belong to this particular airframe.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 5, 2012 at 5:25 PM

      The number on the Escapac seat is 0305 or 0306. I think that part of the aircraft's serial number was painted on the seat.If this is correct it would place this aircraft in the 1975 production run. 75-0305 was noted in 2008 at Robins.75-0306 was stored at AMARC in 2008.
      (according to your database)

      Delete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    This jet was most likely a weapons load trainer and not operational. Look where the UARRSI door should be on the nose. Its removed and a plate put in its place. This aircraft would not fly like that

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