Review (PDF)

Warthog (P)

This volume is about the special pilots and the missions they flew in Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War. Built around a two-ton, 20-foot-long Gattling gun, the Warthog was very successful in its Desert Storm baptism of fire. With the full co-operation of the Air Force, the author interviewed over 100 A-10 pilots immediately after the war. The hangar-talk of Fish, Gator, Growth, Fannspeed and the other "Hog drivers" tells the story of the A-10s unlikely rise to glory, and what it's like to fly combat in a plane so ugly that it was dubbed the Warthog. William L. Smallwood is the author of "Strike Eagle: Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War".

File Size: 3039 KB

Print Length: 267 pages

Publisher: Potomac Books (April 1, 1995)

Publication Date: June 30, 1993

Sold by:  Digital Services LLC

Language: English

ASIN: B003U6GUZU

Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray: Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled

Lending: Not Enabled

Enhanced Typesetting: Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #252,422 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #41 in Books > History > Military > United States > Operation Desert Storm #152 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Military > Military Science #357 in Books > History > Military > Iraq War

I got this book because my son has recently been assigned to train in an A-10. I was very impressed with Mr. Smallwood's writing style. He manages to convey the excitement, danger, and novelty of the A-10's mission and the immense dedication of the brave and courageous pilots who flew in the Gulf War. I learned much of the "lingo" used by the "Hog Drivers" so if I hear it in the future I'll understand. I'm pleased to learn that my son will be flying in such a tough machine. I now call the A-10 the "Guardian Angel" of the ground troops. Please convey my appreciation to Mr. Smallwood for his excellent work. S. Doyle Houston TX

This is an briliant book, even if you don't like the A-10 (which I love). It tells that story of how a ugly, slow plane became a swan during the Gulf War. You get an understanding of how it must have been to fly the Hog, on missions it wasn't designed for. As I said earlier, if you have just the smallest interest in aviation, you have to read this book, and if you like the A-10 - well then you MUST read this book.

I am a former Comm/Nav troop from the 76th that got out before the Gulf War. This book really helped me see what our planes did over there when all the news footage and other specials only show other bases! It was great to "hear" from people I knew on their experiences! I couldn't put the book down!

Bill Smallwood did a great job of capturing the true nature of A-10 operations in Desert Storm.As a former hog driver and 40 combat mission pilot during Desert Storm (511th FS) and one of the guys who the author interviewed extensively for the book, I can assure you it is accurate.It is an easy and fun read for a quazi-historical tome!Enjoy!

The A-10 "Warthog" is a slow, ugly warplane but deadly efficient in battle given that it operates under complete air supremacy. The author has done a great job describing in vivid details this potent aerial weapon as well as the brave fliers who took it in the Gulf War for its battle debut. The destruction that A-10s achieved against the Iraqi Army was awesome and the enemy's armour was decimated by the combination of Maverick missiles and the GAU-8/A Anenger gun. Smallwood gives many behind the scenes details of improvisation regarding the use of weapons, the tactics and the ways the pilots used to bring more firepower on the enemy. The vast array of the iraqi air-defense weapons and the dangers that Warthog pilots faced are also presented. Highly recommended!

I am in the Air Force, and an admitted Warthog devotee. If you like the aircraft, this is the penultimate book for you, and even if you don't, this is definitely worth a read for any serious military enthusiast. The Warthog is often overlooked, undervalued, and underestimated as a viable air asset, when in truth, it is probably the most robust and useful aircraft in the inventory. The Warthog is it's own worst enemy, however. In an Air Force plagued by cost overruns and computerized, high-end parts, the Warthog takes damage and continues to generate high sortie rates. The book expresses not only the value of the airframe, but the value of the pilots, who often improvise and overcome with their old fashioned, low-tech airplane. I highly recommend this book as an exciting, illustrative read as to the quality and dedication of the Air Force's Warthog detachments.

After years of conversation with other aircraft fans about the theoretical plusses and minuses of the warthog ,it was a real eye opener to learn first hand just how effective the Warthog is. In an age of high tech gee-whiz and stealth it is good to know that sometimes the best plane is one that can dish out a lot of damage, take a lot of damage and keep on ticking. And while the shallow may call it ugly, the true aviation buff recognizes it's pure functional strength and tough charector. A great read about a classic warrior.

Quick, easy read about the role of the A-10 in the Gulf War. I'm a big fan of oral histories and this uses a lot of interviews with pilots and is written directly from those conversations. A great look into the buildup before Desert Storm and what the pilots did before and during the War in the Gulf area.

Warthog (P)