Well, I guess a quick peek up her skirt wouldn’t hurt anyone….
The highly maneuverable A-10 Thunderbolt II, like this one, can employ massive firepower to protect coalition troops on the ground supporting Operation enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kenny Kennemer)
I’ve seen this picture before – it’s a great picture – but I have the same question I had last time. Why are there flames coming out of the wheel well? Is that where flares are launched from, or is it some strangeness of the way the camera shutter works, and a missile is being fired? I wouldn’t have thought that it was at all safe to fire an AGM-65 Maverick in a 90 degree bank. The motor on that missile isn’t particularly strong and the missile could strike the plane after it’s released. So, what’s going on exactly?
Nicholas
You just asked by question! Being a former tanker and having only flown M1′s I’m curious as well. Flare?
PIMF by=my
Look at the other gear pod.
Chaff/Flair dispenser on rear end…
But does he have the minimum 15 pieces of flair?
See one of John’s previous postings, here: http://op-for.com/2007/04/montage_of_the_day_a10_round_u.html
At least this time the AF press wanker isn’t actually claiming that Cpt Ireland is firing a missile, even if the implication is still there …
*sigh*
Steve,
Thanks, I thought I remembered that picture, and it did look like a flare!!!
If I remember, the A10 could carry as many as six flare packs each pack carried 16 flares.
It would be awful hard for this Pilot to be firing a missile, since the missiles he’s carrying are inert trainers. Looks like a trainer rocket pod too.
great picture, can anyone tell me how to make picture like that?
A-10 dispensing flare from left gear pod.. can dispense chaff or flares from gear pods or wing tip magazines…