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Again some great historical info and pictures from Col. lemon. I'm sure he can add to the pages info but, this was just to get it posted and the ball rolling for all to enjoy.....

The last Tiger.....

http://www.warthogpen.com/665.html



Ugly But Well Hung

Thanks to Dice for posting the story of the Last A-10. Hard to believe it was 21 years ago! The photo includes Robert Crawford , the Fairchild plant manager and Maj French who was the USAF rep at the factory. Major French, if memory serves me correctlylater flew the A-10 operationally.The 74TFS had also picked up another jet about 10 days earlier and when it got to England AFB we found the ejection seat had not been hooked up...disgruntled employee???? Anyway, the last one was checked over VERY closely, and the only anomally was a coke can found in the engine intake. The jet was in the 74th until the wing moved/disbanded . I came back as Wing Vice Commander just as Desert Shield/Storm was starting and 665 had the ladder door art Dice has attached to this story. It was always a thrill to fly her again...I was attached to the 74th and got to fly her a couple of more times. There is a wonderful poster available through hobby shops from POWER GRAPHICS CORP (Stock # 080) of 665 still in Flying Tiger garb taken at George AFB in 1988. By the way Dice...the A-10 tie I am sending you was given to me at the factory by Mr Crawford at the ceremony pictured...it is different from the "normal" ties given to pilots in the early years when they checked out in the hog. This event was sorta closure for me since I had been there at the birth of the Hog (A-10 /A-7 flyoff in 1974)...if not its conception.

Col R. C. Lemon

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On God's wing, to Heaven i fly.

Always love to hear more history of the A-10 and the people who flew and maintained her... form the ones who were there. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ugly But Well Hung

It is an intresting article. It's always nice to read about the history of the A-10. Thanks Dice-Man

Salute
Dutchy

Termites do it in the dark!
(47FS Barksdale afb)

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73-1664