Any aircraft experts?

I just heard the distinctive sound of fighter jets flying over. Being the big kid that I am, I ran outside to have a look.

It's not unusual for fighter jets to fly over our house. They usually head out over the north sea, where it's not unusual for training missions to be happening involving the air force and navy.

The planes I saw were not the usual mix of typhoons and the occasional USAF F15 or F16.

Notably, they had straight wings.

The only jet of that size and approximate shape I know of that is still in use is the A10, but I don't think the RAF has them, and while it's not unusual to see American planes here I've never seen that shape here before.

Any ideas what they might have been?

 

You can't miss those two big engines on the back end of an A10.

 

There were two big engines on the back of each plane, and googling the A10 returns several variations, some of which looked quite a lot like what I saw. I just can't fathom why they'd be here. The USAF does have bases not too many miles from here but I usually see their more typical delta wing shape planes.

 

I'm not sure if they have any stationed over here full time but there are probably some somewhere in Europe if not the UK.

 

From Key.Aero:
The USAF has been keen to highlight the prowess and capabilities of its fifth-generation fighters, though there is one USAF aircraft type that has had a surprisingly limited presence in Europe since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is more commonly known as the ‘Warthog’, has barely been seen in the European theatre and has only shown its unmistakeable face on a deployment of a few weeks.

 

Ukraine have been asking for A10's for some time - they have been training their pilots to use them - they are designed to take out tanks apparently.

Joe mentioned another 500 million bucks of support to Ukraine today - the long requested A10's perhaps?

 

Biden did say today that increased anti-armour capability was being supplied to Ukraine.

 

I did wonder if it was a clue to the nature of the next round of support.

RAF Leeming Bar is not that far from me. I believe a lot of pilot training happens there. The aircraft I saw, which I can't definitely say were A10s because I'm not that knowledgeable on the subject, but I was surprised at how slow they were compared to other fighter jets that occasionally fly over. Usually, by the time I hear the distinctive roar, they're usually disappearing off into the distance. This time I had time to run down stairs and get out the front and they were still clearly visible.

 

They are designed to loiter over the battle field supporting the ground forces or poping off targets at will, so not fast in comparison, but built like a battleship.
Famous for that bloody great gun they carry amongst other things.

Awesome A-10 Thunderbolt II BRRRT Compilation - YouTube

 

The gas from the firing of the gun is oxygen-poor and this is ingested by the engines. The pilot can only fire a 3 - 4 second burst and then has to allow a recovery period to let the engines clear.
Contrary to popular belief, the Gatling gun has minimal effect on air speed.

 

Remembering that ' loose lips sink ships', I will only say that from my limited experience of being overflown by the mentioned Warthog, the lingering recollection is not hearing its approach, and not hearing anything else after it passed over at chimney threatening height.
Internet says there are (were?) 1000+ in a boneyard Stateside.

 

Just come across this, its a comparison of the main gun the A10 is built around against a beetle.
Its pretty big.

 

Sorry cant resist this I know it has nothing to do with Ukraine but it fits the subject title.
April 1985, Concorde flies supersonic. This is the only picture ever taken of Concorde flying at Mach2, 1,350 mph. It was taken from a Royal Air Force Tornado, which rendezvoused with Concorde briefly to the south of Ireland. Although the Tornado could match (and even exceed) Concorde's cruising speed it could only do so for a matter of minutes due to the enormous rate of fuel consumption. After racing to catch Concorde and struggling to keep up, the Tornado broke off the rendezvous after just four minutes, while Concorde cruised serenely on to JFK!



It never should have ended the way it did, still nothing to touch it.

 

I worked in an office about a mile from the airport and the entire staff would run to the windows as soon as they heard it approaching to catch a glimpse. Seeing it with the nose down catches you by surprise. Lots of fun!